Ossian Collection > Critical dissertation on the poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

A D I S S E R T A T I O N. xix
regard Its connexion of old with the fouth and north of Britain,
are prefented to us, in feveral epiibdes. The fubjedt and cataftrophe
of the poem are founded upon fadts, which regarded the firft
peopHng of that country, and the contefts between the two Bri-
tifh nations, which originally inhabited it. — In a preceding part of
this diflertation, I have iliewn how fuperior the probability of Of-
fian's traditions is to the undigefted fidllons of the Irifli bards, and
the more recent and regular legends of both Irifh and Scotch hif-
torians. " I mean not to give offence to the abettors of the high
antiquities of the two nations, tho' I have all along expreffed my
doubts, concerning the veracity and abilities of thofe who deliver
down their antient hillory. For my own part, I prefer the na-
tional fame, arifing from a few certain faifls, to the legendary and
uncertain annals of ages of remote and obfcure antiquity. No
kingdom, now eftablifhed in Europe, can pretend to equal antiqui-
ty with thofe of Ireland and Scotland, even according to my fyftem,
fo that it is altogether needlefs to fix their origin a fiditious millen-
nium before. This fubjedl I have only lightly touched upon, as it
is to be difcufled, with more perfpicuity, and at a much greater
length, by a gentleman, who has thoroughly examined the anti-
quities of Britain and Ireland.
Since the publication of the laft colledlion of Oillan's poems,
many infinuations have been made, and doubts arifen, concerning
their authenticity. I fhall, probably, hear more of the fame kind
after the prefent poems fhall make their appearance. Whether
thefe fufpicions are fuggefted by prejudice, or are only the efFeds of
ignorance of fafts, I fliall not pretend to determine. — To me they
give no concern, as I have it always in my power to remove them.
An incredulity of this Hnd is natural to perfons, who confine all
c 2 merit