Ossian Collection > Thoughts on the origin and descent of the Gael

326
1 . Fergus, the son of Eric, reigned 3 years.
2. Domhangart, son of Fergus, 5
3. C ongal, son of Domhangart, 24
4. Gabhran, son of Domhangart, 22
5. Conal, son of Congal, 14
6. Aodan, son of Gabhran, 34
102
Deduct 102 years from 605, when Aodan died,
there remain 503 years, which fix the commence-
ment of the reign of Fergus, son of Eric, at that
period of the Christian era.
Prior to the time of Fergus the son of Eric,
the inhabitants of the mountainous division of
Albinn were governed, like those of all countries
in the barbarous stages of society, by petty princes
or chieftains, whose conduct was regulated by
the usage of the people ; but knowing no sove-
reign invested with that degree of authority called
supreme, chieftains ruled within their own terri-
tories in a state of proud independence of each
other, guided by a spirit of rivalry, which pervad-
ed the breasts of the people; feuds and animosities
universally prevailed, which, at the same time that
they weakened the strength of individual tribes,
unfitted them for making successful resistance
against a foreign enemy. In this state the Danes
found the inhabitants of the Hebridian Isles of
Scotland, which being destitute of any political
union with the inhabitants of the mainland, they