Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

DISSERTATION
CONCERNING
THE ^RA OF OSSIAN.
iNQumtKS into the antiquities of nations afford
more pleasure than any real advantage to man-
kind. The ingenious may form systems of
history on probabilities and a few facts ; but,
at a great distance of time, their accounts must
be vague and uncertain. The infancy of state,
and kingdoms is as destitute of great events,
as of the means of transmitting them to poste-
rity. The arts of polished life, by which
alone facte can be preserved with certainty,
are the production of a well-formed communi-
ty. It is then historians begin to write, and
public transactions to be worthy remembrance.
The actions of former times are left in obscu-
rity, or magnified by uncertain traditions.
Hence it is that we find so much of the mar-
vellous in the origin of every nation ; poste-
rity being always ready to believe any thing,
however fabulous, tlvat reflects honour on their
stucestors.
The Greeks and Romans were remarkable
for this weakness. 'I'hey swallowed the most
absurd fables concerning the high antiquities