Ossian Collection > Essay on the authenticity of the poems of Ossian

294 ON THE AUTHENTICITY
The original Gaelic and the literal trans-
lation are placed opposite to each other; Mr
Macphersons translation is placed at the
bottom ; and a few notes, or observations,
are subjoined, wherever they appear neces-
sary. The same marks of reference which
lead to these notes, are affixed to the paral-
lel passages in the Gaelic, in the new trans-
lation, and in that of Mr Macpherson.
With regard to the edition of the original
Gaelic which I have used, it may be proper
to say, that 1 had it, a great many years ago,
from the late Reverend Mr Hugh INIacdiarmid,
then minister of the Gaelic Chapel at Glas-
gow, and afterwards minister of Connie.
That gentleman, who was critically skilled
in the Gaelic language, had felt indignant at
the novel mode of spelling, which Mr Mac-
pherson had attempted to introduce ; but
which he, in common with all who are ac-
quainted with the Gaelic, considered as de-
structive of the etymological proprieties of