Ossian Collection > Fingal of Ossian

PREFACE. 31'
let us adhere to the Accounts of Perfons that are better verfed
in the Language, and who afl'ure us, " that the numerous Flec-
" tions of Confonants, and Variation in Declenfion, make it
" very copious." *
We have already feen, that the Natives are acquainted with
the Ufe of Letters ; and it is probable they have been fo for
many Generations. But as, of all the polite Arts, they only
cultivated Poetry, which was chiefly handed down to Pollerity
by a Succeffion of Bards maintained for that Purpofe; we mull
not expeft that any Number or Variety of Manufcripts can be
found among them. However, there have been fome much
older than Dr. John/on would ma^e us believe.
Martin, who was a Native of Sky, and wrote in the laft Cen-
tury, mentions feveral ancient Manufcripts, in the Charaders
of the Country, which he himfelf met with; as A'ukenna,
Averroes, 'Joannes de Vigo, Bernardiis Gordonus, and feveral
Volumes of Hippocrates, in the Poffeflion of one Fergus Beaton,.
in the Ifland oi South-Viji. He takes Notice of having (ttn. the
Life of St. Columbus, at Mr. John Macneil's, in the IjJe of
Barray ; and another Copy of the fame, at Mr. Macdona/d's of
Benbecula. For a Proof of what he relates, concerning the
Quarrel and Battle at Sea, between John Earl of Rofs and /Eneas
his Son, he cites the Manufcripts of Macvuricb and Hugh Mac-
donald, two ancient Genealogifts. In another Place, giving an
Account of Cuftoms that prevailed long before his own Time,
he
• Sfe the DilTertatloa concerning the -Era of OJ/ian.