Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 1

XXXll A DISSERTATION CONCERNING THE
divided from one another by extensive heaths and
impassable mountains, form the face of the High-
lands. In those valleys the chiefs fixed their resi-
dence. Round them, and almosJ: within sight of
their dwellings, were the habitations of their rela-
tions and dependents.
The seats of the Highland chiefs were neither
disagreeable nor inconvenient. Surrounded with
mountains and hanging woods, they were covered
from the inclemency of the weather. Near them
generally ran a pretty large river, which, dis-
charging itself not far off, into an arm of the sea,
er extensive lake, swarmed with variety of fish.
The w oods were stocked with wild fowl ; and the
heaths and mounfeains behind them were the natu-
ral scat of the red deer and roe. If we make al-
lowance for the backward sta^e of agriculture, the
valleys were not unfertile ; atiofding, if not all the
convenlencics, at least the iieccssari-^s, of life.
Here the chief lived, the supreme judge and law-
giver of his own people ; but his sway was neither
severe not unjust. As the populace regarded him .
as the chief of their blood, so he, in return, con-
sidered them as members of his family. His com-
mands, therefore, though absolute and decisive,
partook more of the authority of a father than of
the rigour of a judge. Though the whole terri-
tory of the tribe wixs considered as the property of
the chief, yet his vassals nsade him no other consi-
deration for their lands than services, neither bur-
densome nor frequent. As he seldom went from
home, he was at no expense. His table was sup-
plied by his own herds, and what his numerous
attendants killed in hunting.
la this rural kind of magiiiiicciicc, the Highland