J. F. Campbell Collection > Original collection of the poems of Ossian, Orrann, Ulin, and other bards, who flourished in the same age
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PREFACE. xxxi
letters from the Irish, when, after their conversion,
they flocked to that kingdom for education.
Camden, p. 1318, inclines to the same opinion.
What seems to put it beyond a doubt is, that the
Saxon character is similar in Scotland at this day.
The Dr. therefore, discovers his ignorance in up-
braiding Mr. M'Pherson with finding an unwrit-
ten language, which the natives never beheld, since
it was the common one they were acquainted with.
" 1 have yet supposed no imposture but in the
publisher, yet am far from certainty, that some
translations have not been lately made that may
now be obtruded as parts of the original work.
Credulity on one part is a strong temptation to
deceit on the other, especially to deceit of which
no personal injury is the consequence, and which
flatters the author with his own ingenuity. The
Scots have something to plead for their easy re-
ception of an improbable fiction ; they are seduced
by their fondness for their supposed ancestors. A
Scotchman must be a very sturdy moralist, who
does not love Scotland better than truth; he will
always love itbetterthan inquiry; and if falsehood
flatters his vanity, will not be very diligent to detect
it. To be ignorant is painful ; but it is dangerous
to quiet our uneasiness by the delusive opiate of
hasty credulity."
Br. Johnson, after every attempt to overthrow
the authenticity of Ossian, here maliciously en-
aeavours to invalidate whatever may hereafter be
letters from the Irish, when, after their conversion,
they flocked to that kingdom for education.
Camden, p. 1318, inclines to the same opinion.
What seems to put it beyond a doubt is, that the
Saxon character is similar in Scotland at this day.
The Dr. therefore, discovers his ignorance in up-
braiding Mr. M'Pherson with finding an unwrit-
ten language, which the natives never beheld, since
it was the common one they were acquainted with.
" 1 have yet supposed no imposture but in the
publisher, yet am far from certainty, that some
translations have not been lately made that may
now be obtruded as parts of the original work.
Credulity on one part is a strong temptation to
deceit on the other, especially to deceit of which
no personal injury is the consequence, and which
flatters the author with his own ingenuity. The
Scots have something to plead for their easy re-
ception of an improbable fiction ; they are seduced
by their fondness for their supposed ancestors. A
Scotchman must be a very sturdy moralist, who
does not love Scotland better than truth; he will
always love itbetterthan inquiry; and if falsehood
flatters his vanity, will not be very diligent to detect
it. To be ignorant is painful ; but it is dangerous
to quiet our uneasiness by the delusive opiate of
hasty credulity."
Br. Johnson, after every attempt to overthrow
the authenticity of Ossian, here maliciously en-
aeavours to invalidate whatever may hereafter be
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| Early Gaelic Book Collections > J. F. Campbell Collection > Original collection of the poems of Ossian, Orrann, Ulin, and other bards, who flourished in the same age > (39) |
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| Permanent URL | https://digital.nls.uk/81005948 |
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| Description | Collected and edited by Hugh and John M'Callum. (Copy at Cam.1.d.29) |
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| Shelfmark | Cam.1.d.29 |
| Additional NLS resources: | |
| Attribution and copyright: |
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More information
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| Description | Volumes from a collection of 610 books rich in Highland folklore, Ossianic literature and other Celtic subjects. Many of the books annotated by John Francis Campbell of Islay, who assembled the collection. |
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| Description | Selected items from five 'Special and Named Printed Collections'. Includes books in Gaelic and other Celtic languages, works about the Gaels, their languages, literature, culture and history. |
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