Ossian Collection > Report of the Committee of the Highland Society of Scotland, appointed to inquire into the nature and authenticity of the poems of Ossian

30 REPORT ON THE
ail extremely remote part of the Highlands, and!
prevented his mixing with the literary circles in
■which any queftion about the poems of Oflian might
have arifen ; but happening to be on a vifit to a
friend in another part of Rofsfhire, a member of
tiiis Committee (Mr Charles M'lntulh), who chan-
ced alfo to be there, heard of his having been
the intimate acquaintance of Mr Macpherfon, and
of his having affifted him in arranging his collection
of Gaelic poetry, and requefted him to write down
what he recollected of thofe circumflances. This
drew from him a letter, which, as it is not very
long, and of confiderable importance in this inquiry,
the Committee inferts in this place, together with
a poftfeript added to it by Mrs Gallie, which the
Committee hopes that lady will forgive its alio mak-
ing public.
TO CHARLES MACINTOSH, ESQ. W. S. EDINBURGH-
Dear Sir, Kincardine, March 12//;, 1799.
I know you will not be difpleafed id
hear that the caufe of my long continued filence is
jfo far removed that I am enabled to perform what I
promifed you. My efteem for you prompts to it ;
yet I am more forcibly conftrained by what I owe to
a favourite truth, which I confider as grofsly injur-
ed. What I told you at Newhall, I now authenti-
cate, fo far as my teftimony can do it. Mr J. Mac-
pherfon,