Ossian Collection > Defence of the Scots Highlanders, in general; and some learned characters, in particular

( 194 )
conveened all the merchants, hoping for
foine fatisfadion in his enquiries about Bri-
tain, but in vain ; thefe faid, they knew, or
pretended to know, nothing more than the
maritime coaft of Britain oppofite to Gaul,
their bufinefs being to exchange merchandife,
and to return, not to make curious remarks
on the extent of the iiland, the diverfity of
inhabitants, their difcipline of war, or the
commodioufnefs of their harbours.
All this, with more of their addrefs, is
truely offenfive in thefe Celtic cattle,
whether modern or ancient. The firft
have oppofed the Fih, Peukini, or Vic
Veriars in the north, and this tyrant Bridan
and his fuccefTors would not fufFer the Scots
from Ireland to take pofleffion in the fouth,
but drove out the very natives to make room
for his iflanders, and even his defcendants
extended their empire over all Scotland, af-
terwards, as is well known. How then can
Mr. P. give an account of the Scots and
Pid:s, when thus unexpeftedly ftripped of
both ? No wonder he Ihould rail againft
fuch favages, and more particularly againft
Bridan Mo?', being the oldeft offender, in
occupying