Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Smart, John Semple, 1868-1925. James Macpherson. 1. Macpherson, James, 1736-1796. I. Title. Reprinted from an original copy in the collections of From the edition of 1905, London First AMS edition published in 1973 Manufactured in the United States of America AMS PRESS INC. NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003 PREFACE THIS book is an examination of Macpherson's poems, for so we must call the three volumes which he assigned to another authorship. His life and character, although not the main subject, are studied by the way. Macpherson possessed two things that are rarely joined,—a sensitive and poetic mind, and a shrewd capacity for business. He first appears as an unknown youth, with everything to do for himself, reserved and shy in appearance, but amazingly clever and consumed with ambition. Thirty years later he was successful beyond his dreams, triumphantly aware that his writings were admired by all Europe, rich, prosperous, enjoying and displaying his prosperity. Yet the poems which launched him on his career are as full of laments as the Book of Job, and their melancholy had a genuine cause. A nature so versatile, with so much power over others, and with characteristics so strongly marked, commands our notice. Macpherson had genius which sometimes broke |