J. F. Campbell Collection > Poems of Ossian > Volume 3

476 SUPPLEMENTAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE
was no great poet, nor thorouglily conversant in
Gaelic literature ; so far from composing such poems
as were translated, declares that he assisted him
often in understanding the meaning of many words,
and suggested some improvements. With energetic
bluntness, Captain Morison remarks, " that Mac-
pheì'son could as u-cU covìposc the Prophecies oflsaia/i, or
create the island oj Skye, as compose a poem like oue of
Ossìan's." In a similar strain of energetic conviction,
he lately declared, at an advanced period of life,
" when the tomb opened to receive him, for his
strength had failed," ihat he as Jìrmly bcUeved in the
authenticity of Ossian's poems, as in the existence qf'soul
and body.*
Lachlan Macmurrich, or Mac Vuirich, in his de-
claration transmitted to the Highland Society, dated
August ,9, 1800,tmade before Donald Macdonald, of
Balronald, James Macdonald, of Garyhelich, Ewan
Macdonald, of Griminish, Alexander Maclean, of
Hoster, Mr. Alexander Nicolson, minister of Benbe-
cula, and Mr. AUan Macqueen, minister of North-
Uist, has stated, that to the best of his knowledge
he is the eighteenth in descent from Muireach, whose
posterity had officiated as bards to the faniily of
Clanronald. That he remembeved well the works of
Ossian written on parchment, were in the custody of
his father, as received from his predecessors : that
* Spc Captain Mnrison's Answers to Querics, Appciidix to Ileport
of Higlilanrl Socicty, p. 175; and his Declaialion, Appendix No. IV.
Sir Jolin Sinclair's Dissertation.
■t- See Dcclaration in Gaelic, and Translation, llcport of the Socicly,
Appendix No. XVII.