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

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^' Lubar;" the battle of Lora mostly; Darthula,
" p. 155, pretty well to the end of p. 171 ; Te-
" mora, much the same, p. 172 to the end of
" p. 1 90; Caric-Thura, p. 207, " Who can reach
•' the source of thy race, O Connal ?" &c. till
*' you come to the passage that begins thus :
" Dire was the clang of their steel."
" Those that know most about the history of
" Ossian and his poems in this country, are now
" no more ; formerly I might, I dare say, make
" out a great deal more among them. At this
" very day there are many in this country, who
" can neither read nor write, that can repeat
" poems composed by Ossian, at least pretty
** much in the same strain, which would make a
" larger volume, if they Avere all gathered to-
" gether, than that which Mr Macpherson has
" given to the public. The world may say of
" him and his translations what they please, but
" I am convinced, for my part, that I heard most
" of these poems repeated, since I remember any
" thing at all; and I dare say, at that time, Mr
" Macpherson could neither read nor write, far
" less be the author of such a work.
(Signed) " Dun. Mac Nicol."
Mr Mac Aulay adds, " Your acquaintance,
" Mr Fraser, received a letter from Mr Mac
" Lagan, preacher at Amalrie, in which he men-
" tions some detached pieces he transmitted to
** Mr Macpherson, the translator, particularly