No. X. LETTERS FROM MR. JAMES M'PHERSON, 1. To the Rev. Mr. JAMES M'LAGAN, then Minister of Amalrie, now of Blair in Athol, dated Ruthven, 27th October 1760. REVEREND SIR, You perhaps have heard, that I am employed to make a collection of the ancient Poetry in the Gaelic. I have already traversed most of the Isles, and gathered all worth notice in that quarter.-I intend a journey to Mull and the coast of Argyle, to enlarge my collection. By letters from Edinburgh, as well as gentlemen of your acquaintance, I am informed, that you have a good collection of poems of the kind I want. It would be, therefore, very obliging, you should transmit me them as soon as convenient, that my book might be rendered more complete, and more for the honour of our old poetry-Traditions are uncertain; poetry delivered down from memory, must lose considerably; and it is a matter of surprise to me, how we have now any of the beauties of our ancient Gaelic poetry remaining. Your collection, I am informed, is pure, as you have taken pains to restore the style-I shall not make any apology for this trouble, as it will be for the honour of our ancestors, how many of their pieces of genius will be brought to light-I have met with a number of old manuscripts in my travels; the poetical part of them I have endeavoured to secure. If any of that kind falls within your hearing, I beg it of you, to have them in sight. 7 I shall probably do myself the pleasure of waiting of you before I return to Edinburgh. Your correspondence in the mean time, will be very agreeable.-You will excuse this trouble from an entire stranger; and believe me, Reverend Sir, Your most humble Servant, JAMES M'PHERSON. Inform me of what you can of the tradition of the poems: Direct to me, by Edinburgh and Ruthven, inclosed to Mr. M Pherson, postmaster here. 2. TO THE REV. Mr. M'LAGAN, dated Edinburgh, 16th REV. SIR, January 1761. I was favoured with your letter inclosing the Gaelic Poems, for which I hold myself extremely obliged to you. Duan a Ghairibh is less poetical and more obscure than Teantach mor na Feine. The last is far from being a bad poem, were it complete, and is particularly valuable for the ancient manners it contains. I shall reckon myself much obliged to you, for any other pieces you can send me: It is true, I have the most of them from other hands, but the misfortune is, that I find none expert in the Irish orthography, so that an obscure poem is rendered doubly so, by their uncouth way of spelling.-It would have given me real pleasure to have got your letter before I left the Highlands, as in that case, I would have done myself the pleasure of waiting of you, but I do not despair but something may soon cast up, that may bring about an interview; as I have some thoughts of making a jaunt to Perthshire. Be that, however, as it will, I shall be always glad of your correspondence; and hope that you will give me all convenient assistance in my present undertaking. I have been lucky enough to lay my hands on a pretty complete poem, and truly epic, concerning Fingal.The antiquity of it is easily ascertained, and it is not only superior to any thing in that language, but reckoned not inferior to the more polite performances of other nations in that way.-. I have some thoughts of publishing the original, if it will not clog the work too much. I shall be always ready to acknowledge the obligation you have laid upon me, and promise I will not be ungrate ful for further favours. It would give me pleasure to know how I can serve you, as I am, Reverend Sir, Your most humble and obedient Servant, (Signed) JAMES M PHERSON. Please to send me your proper direction. I send this inclosed to Mr. John Bisset at Perth.-A letter will find me by the care of Mr. Charles Malcom clerk in the Post-office, or Mr. Donaldson's bookseller, 3. To the Rev. Mr. M'LAGAN, dated Edinburgh, 8th REVD. SIR, February 1761. I am favoured with your last letter, inclosing four poems, for which I am much obliged to you. I beg you send me what more you can conveniently. I have resolved to print by subscription.-I send, inclosed, a copy of my proposals, that if any in your neighbourhood incline to subscribe, they send their orders, by your means to me, and I shall send signed receipts, and take care to convey the book when published. I am now much hurried, so that I have scarce time to thank you for your readiness to answer my demands: I wish it may be in my power to show how much I am, Reverend Sir, Your most humble Servant, (Signed) JAMES M'PHERSON. No. XI. SPECIMENS OF MR. M'PHERSON'S JUVENILE POETRY. 1. Extract from a Poem ON DEath. O DISCORD! gnashing fury! rav'nous fiend! |