Ossian Collection > Original collection of the poems of Ossian, Orrann, Ulin, and other bards, who flourished in the same age

COPY OF A LETTER
From the learned and accomplished Eiven M'Lach-
Ian, Esq. Rector of the Grammar School, Old
Aberdeen, to one of the Editors, icith his jjer-
mission to publish the same.
'* Dear Sir,
" The contents of the manuscript which yoii
design to lay before the public, I have perused
with considerable pleasure. The poems in your
collection are genuine and beautiful Gaelic. The
skilful critic may probably detect some instances
of monastic interpolation: but this circumstance
cannot invalidate the claims of your volume to
public patronage. The purity of style, and subli-
mity of sentiment, predominating through the bulk
of these compositions, indicate in their author, in
whatever age he flourished, a mind of no ordinary
standard.
"■ Sceptics may feel a disposition to cavil ; but
your allegations are accompanied by their proper
vouchers, and your veracity will therefore stand
unimpeached. In having wrought into the con-
texture of your preface, the leading arguments of
the Ossianic controversy, and stating the facts