Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian, the son of Fingal

138 APPENDIX.
sitions which he admired in the original, was very back-
ward to undertake the task of translating ; and the pub-
lication of ' The Fragments of Ancient Poems,' was,
with no small importunity extorted from liim. The
high reputation which these presently acquired, made
it, he thought, unjust that the world should be depriv-
ed of the possession of more, if more of the same kinc
could be recovered : and Mr Macpherson was warmlj
urged by several gentlemen of rank and taste, to dis.
engage himself from other occupations, and to under-
take a journey through the Highlands and Islands, or
purpose to make a collection of those curious remaim
of ancient genius. He complied with their desire, anc
spent several months in visiting those remote parts o
the country ; during which time he corresponded fre
quently with his friends m Edinburgh, informed then
of his progress, of the applications which he made ii
different quarters, and of the success which he me'
with ; several letters of his, and of those who assistec
him in making discoveries, passed through my hands .
his undertaking was the object of considerable atten.
tion ; and returning at last, fraught with the poetica
treasures of the north, he set himself to translate unde
the eye of some who were acquainted with the Gaelic
language, and looked into his manuscripts ; and, by i
large publication, made an appeal to all the natives o
the Highlands, and Islands of Scotland, whether he hae
been faiihful to his charge, and done justice to thei
well-known and favourite poems.
Such a transaction certainly did not afford any fa
voiUT.ble opportunity for carrying on an imposture
Yet in England, it seems, an opinion has prevaile*
with some, that an imposture has been carried on ; tha
the poems which have been given to the world are nc»
translations of the works of any old Gaelic bard, h\x\
modern compositions, formed, as it is said, upon i
higher plan of poetry and sentiment than could bclon|
to an age and a country reputed barbarous : and I hav<
been called upon and urged to produce some evidenc*
for satisfying the world that they are not the composi