Blair Collection > Popular tales of the West Highlands > Volume 4

PUBLISHED AJVD TRADITIONAL. 225
remove, so far as I can, all that lias the appearance of sus-
picion or doubt about the matter ; but all the deceptions
that have been practised do not afiect the sterling worth
of the poems of Ossian any more than the base coin
affects the value of the real one. It will only make
those into whose hands it may come try it and make
sure that it is genuine.
It may be objected, " How could so much matter
be preserved on the memories of the people without
the aid of letters'?" Those who have lived in the
Highlands for any length of time know well how these
productions have been preserved. In former times
Highlanders had very little else to remember; or,
rather, they did not remember much else. Socially
disposed, they spent much time together ; on the long
winter evenings they assembled in a certain house, re-
hearsed and listened to these records of Fingalian
achievements which were thus interwoven with their
mental development. Hence the continual opposition
manifested by the religious instructors of the High-
landers to " Sgeidaclidan" and Ossianic poetry. These
teachers had serious difficulties in getting the attention
of the peojjle, in consequence of their minds being pre-
occupied and absorbed by this ancient lore.
Bishop CarsAvell, in 1567, complains of those who
spent their time and intellect in perpetuating the re-
cords " concerning Tuath de dannan, Fionii Mac-
Ciimhail and his heroes, rather than write and teach and
maintain the faithful words of God, and of the perfect
way of truth." But Mr. Eobert Kirk, of Balquhidder,
who published the first metrical Gaelic version of the
VOL. IV. Q