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

PREFACE. UxMi
to go for some time under the tutorage of a school-
master in Argyleshire, or some other corner of the
land, where he would be taught the proper etymo-
logy and orthography of the Gaelic langnage.
Mr. Laing boasts he has put an end to the dis-
pute for ever; we call upon him now to awake
from the multitudeof his thoughts: it behoves him
not only to return lo his national creed (as he
terms it), but to make a hnmble apology, through
the medium of the press, and all the amends in his
power, for his slanderous misrepresentations and
gross errors against the Caledonians — the authen-
ticity of Ossian's poems — and the Gaelic language.
By acknowledging his animosity with a publica-
tion, he may obtain pardon, as he is still in the
land of the living. But, if Mr. Laing will conti-
nue obstinate, and keep silent in fiiture regarding
this subject, it will be a convincing proof to the
public, that his conscience upbraids him for what
he has done— that betook flightfrom the field, never
to face his dishonourable and vain arguments.
He appeared upon the stage as a prevailing cham-
pion; he thought his objections and detections
impregnable; and that his quibbles would be fix-
ed as a decision: he has now his choice, to come
forth to support his opinion; otherwise, to lie
under the reproach of what he has done.
We do not ascribe to Ossian all the poems that
are included in the following sheets; we are per-
suaded that some of them arc his productions, and
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