Ossian Collection > Morison's edition of the Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

NOTES ON FINGAL.
The fcene lies in the heath of Lena, and the mountaia
Cromla on the coaft of Ulfter.
b By the ftrength of the fliell is meant the liquor the he-
roes drunk ; of what kind it was, cannot be afcertained at
this diftance of time. The tranflator has met with feveral
ancient poems that mention wax-lights and wine as common
in the halls of Fingal, The names of both are borrowed
fi-om the Latin, which plainly ihe^s that our anceftors had
them from the Romans, if they had them at all. The Ca-
ledonians in their frequent incurlions to the province, might
become acquainted with thofe conveniencies of life, and in-
troduce them into their own country, among the booty
which they carried from South Britain.
•^ Trenmor was great grandfather to Fingal. The ftory
is introduced to facilitate the difmiflion of Swaran.
d This paflage alludes to the religion of the king of Craca.
See a note on a fimilar fubje<£t in the third book.
9 This is the only paflage in the poem, wherein the wars
of Fingal againft the Romans are alluded to : the Roman
emperor is diftinguiflied in old compofitions by the title of
king of the ^Morld.
f Connan was of the family of JNIorni, He is mentioned
in feveral other poems, and always appears with the fame
charafter. The poet pafled him over in filence till now,
and his behaviour here deferves no better ufage.
£ The praftice of fmging when they row is univerfal a-
mong the inhabitants of the north-weft coaft of Scotland|j
and the ifles. It deceives time, and infpirits the rowers.