to be found in the original; and "The fir on the mountain cliff," is certainly much more natural and impressive than" the blasted pine," as translated by Macpherson. In the Gaelic, the scout next describes the chief" sitting upon a rock on the shore, and resembling the mist on yonder hill," which is infinitely finer than "sitting on the shore, like a cloud of mist on the silent hill." In Macpherson, Swaran's heroes are not at all taken notice of; whereas, in the Gaelic, the scout, after complimenting Swaran on the power of his host, does justice to the valour and superiority of his own countrymen. Nor can there be any comparison between "Many mighty men ARE SEEN from Tura's windy walls," and "But more numerous and mighty chiefs, SURROUND the windy Tura." The superiority of the Gaelic, and of the new translation faithfully done from it, is so very evident, that it affords the strongest internal evidence, (in the minds of many, more especially those who have a knowledge of the Gaelic, it must be irresistible), that Macpherson could not have been the real author of these poems. His fame depended, not on the Gaelic, but on the English version, which he must necessarily have endeavoured to render as complete as possible; but, from a mistaken wish to improve, he has in many instances destroyed the majestic simplicity of the original, by using such turgid expressions, as, the glittering rock, the blasted pine, the sea-borne Swaran, green Erin of streams, the mist on the silent hill, meretricious ornaments, which have no foundation whatever in the original. In short, in so far as it is possible to judge from this specimen, and from a similar investigation which will be found in the Report of the Highland Society, p. 130, it would be necessary to publish a new translation of Ossian, in order to give to the public a just idea of the nervous simplicity, and genuine beauties, of that celebrated poet, to neither of which Macpherson has done sufficient justice. Nor is it any longer to be wondered at, that an excellent Gaelic scholar, who knew him well, who could appreciate the talents he possessed, and who assisted him in transcribing the poems, (Captain Morison), should declare," that Macpherson could as well compose the Prophecies of Isaiah, or create the Island of Skye, as compose a poem like one of Ossian's."* In Vol. III. p. 58, the word mheirghe is used, which signifies vexillum, or in English a banner. The poet probably meant that the chief came to the king under his banners. It is singular that Mr. Macpherson • Report of the Highland Society, p. 171. leaves out this word altogether in his translation, probably from the difficulty he found to explain it properly; a proof among many others of the same sort which might be adduced, that he could not have been the original author. No. VI. A Scene from Ossian. By Sir John Sinclair, Bart. It is a fact perfectly well ascertained, that in former times the Highlanders were accustomed to act the poems of Ossian, at their festivals and other public meetings. This is a strong proof of the authenticity of these poems; for if there had existed nothing but common ballads, they could only have been repeated or sung by one individual; whereas from Fingal, and the other poems of Ossian, when they are properly translated, some of the finest dramatic scenes that ever were composed, may be extracted with very little difficulty. As a proof of the justness of that observation, I have sketched out a scene from the first Book of Fingal, drawn up from the new translation of that book above printed. The story is as follows: Cuthullin, the leader of the Irish armies, during the minority of Cormac king of Ireland, assembles his chiefs to determine whether they are to fight Swaran king of Lochlin or Denmark, who had invaded Ireland with a powerful fleet, or whether it would not be more advisable to propose a truce, until Fingal king of Morven should come to their assistance. The chiefs, who had been following the chase, were assembled on a height whence they saw the fleet of the enemy. Cuthullin first states the question to be discussed, in distinct and energetic terms, and then calls upon Connal, a leader distinguished for his valour and experience, to deliver his sentiments. His opinion is given decisively in favour of peace. Calmar, the son of Mathas, a gallant young warrior, reprobates the timid councils of Connal, and urges Cuthullin not only to attack the enemy, but after defeating Swaran, to carry the war into Denmark. Connal justifies himself, perseveres in recommending peace, but declares his resolution at the same time, to assist his countrymen, if war is deter * See letter from Mr. Donald Macleod, minister of Glenelg, to the Rev. Doctor Blair, dated 26th March 1764, in the Report of the Highland Society, as to the Poems of Ossian, Appendix, p. 29. mined on Cuthullin then resolves on war, animates his chiefs to carry it on with spirit, and gives orders to prepare for immediate hostilities. He announces the subject of deliberation in the following terms: CUTHULLIN. Hail to the manly sons of Erin's vales; Illustrious warrior,-Breaker of shields, Wilt thou, O chief! advance thy father's spear? CONNAL. Noble Cuthullin, Still is the spear of Connal keen in war; Still I delight, as I have ever done, To crush, in bloody fight, my country's foes; But though my hand would seek the battle, My heart desires the peace of Erin. O! Bravest chief of the illustrious Cormac, As it mounts aloft on the distant wave; Like the woods on the banks of Lego, CUTHULLIN. What then? Shall we not fight the foe? CONNAL. Cuthullin, Connal sighs for peace, Give tribute to mighty Swaran, Fingal himself would shun the contest, High chief of the sons of Alba, Fingal, who disperses the brave, As the whirlwind scatters the grass, When the torrent roars through the rocky Cona, CALMAR SON OF MATHAS. Away with peace, thou feeble man; Then let us fly in our strength, May I perish by a blast from heaven, The hottest conflict of embattled hosts! An ingenious poet has suggested, that the speech of Calmar might be altered as follows: Away with peace, thou feeble man. Let Connal Then in our strength impetuous let us speed, The wrongs of Erin. By a blast from heaven CONNAL. Young son of Mathas, I ne'er yet declined, Yet fame I courted not.-As for this war, CUTHULLIN. Then let us wield the spear, And let the mighty sons of Erin rise. Let each band form itself in shining arms, And sweep along with speed the gloomy heath, Like to a sun-beam on the mountain top. "Tis like the thunder on the rugged cliff, When the soft showers of spring at first descend.- Prepare my car, fill it with massy spears, These speeches are extracted, with very trifling variations, from Mr. Ross's new and literal translation of the first Book of Fingal, executed from the original Gaelic. The spirit and animation of the original, are, it is said, very imperfectly given even in that translation; a circumstance which fully justifies the enthusiasm with which the natives of the Highlands speak of their favourite Poet, who was not only the Homer, but This is taken from another part of the poem, after the episode of Cathbat and Duchomar |