Blair Collection > Celtic researches, on the origin, traditions & language, of the ancient Britons

preface» ίίί
local facts, may be of some value to the his-
torian, who fills a more ample space, in
the extent of his views. The choice, there-»
fore, of the subject, requires no apology, or
defence. The execution of the task is that,
which alone deprecates the severities of cri-
ticism.
I was directed accidentally to this channel
of literature, by circumstances, peculiar, and
personal to me. A design to publish what I
had written, was the result of no confidence
in abilities, or attainments ; it was the effect
of a more humble sentiment : I was per-
suaded, that chance had thrown in my way^
and that curiosity, exempt from all pre-con-
ception, (the bane of truth) had enabled me
to discover a system elucidated by facts, and
which the liberal scholar would, at least, rather
examine with care, though laid before him
by me, than consign it unexamined, at once^^
to oblivion^