Ossian Collection > Poems of Ossian

INTRODUCTORY NOTE
^T is a hundred years since the death of
James Macpherson, and the rumour of the
Ossianic Controversy has not yet died
away. It is more than likely that the
problem is one that will never be quite
definitely settled. The question of the partial authen-
ticity of Macpherson's "Ossian" must probably remain
in abeyance, if for no other reason than the fact that
the time wherein verification was possible is now past.
What we do know for certain— that is, as a matter
no longer reasonably disputable— is : that Macpherson's
"Ossian" is not a translation either of ancient or of
mediaeval legendary sagas. The scholar, in the re-
stricted sense, of history and the critic of literature can
find ample confirmation of this surety in the Poems
themselves.
What remains to be settled is, in what degree, to
what extent, are these Ossianic poems of James Mac-
pherson paraphrases of legendary romances and primitive
ballads and folk-lore.
It is simplest to direct the would-be student — and, of
course, I do not allude to those who can approach the
subject from the standpoint of a knowledge of ancient
or modern Gaelic— to consult certain easily-obtainable
volumes wherein every aspect of the question is fairly
dealt with. German and French specialists in Celtic
literature have given close attention to this subject ; but
here reference need be made only to one or two
eminent authors in our own land. The opinion that — at