"mighty son. A cloud, like the steed of the "stranger, supported his limbs; his robe is of the "mist of Lano, that brings death to the people; "his sword is a green meteor, half-extinguished; "his face is without form, and dark. He sighed "thrice over the hero, and thrice the winds of the

night roared aloud. Many were his words to "Oscar; but they only came by halves to our ears: "6 they were dark, as the tales of other times, before "the light of the song arose."

It might be shewn, that the religion of the Greeks and Romans proceeds upon similar principles; in like manner also, that of the ancient Egyptians, and that of the ancient Scandinavians. In their great original outlines, they correspond exactly with the mythology exhibited in the Poems of Ossian.*

* This Discourse, with the exception of some illustrations lately added, on the first part, was read before a literary society, in Glasgow College, so long ago as the year 1775; and, although a considerable time has now intervened, the Author has not found it necessary to alter, or even to qualify, the opinion, on this subject, which he was then led to entertain.

I RETURN your letter, as Sir John is in the North. Not only Ossian, but much more, is going on; the establishing the whole language, on primitive, clear, unerring, and incontrovertible principles. The Gaelic, now traced to its source, has been already found to be the most regular, the most simple, and the most pleasing to the ear, and

almost to the eye, of any language either of past or present times.

You may acquaint our worthy friend, the very respectable amateur of the Gaelic language, Sir James Foulis, of the above general intimation.I am,

Very faithfully yours,

(Signed)

J. MACPHERSON.

CAPTAIN MORISON, Greenock.

POSTSCRIPT.

THE recent publication of the inestimable originals of Ossian, by Sir John Sinclair, Bart. together with a learned dissertation on their authenticity, by himself, and another by Dr Macarthur, whilst it should seem to supersede the necessity of further discussion, renders it, at least, proper to state to the public a few circumstances with respect to the present attempt.

With regard to any superfluous coincidence of argument, between this Essay, and those which have preceded it in publication, it is presumed, that none shall be found. This Essay was written some years ago. It was read, in the Author's turn of giving a discourse, in the weekly meetings of the Literary Society in Glasgow College, in the