146 



than Macpherson, with all his host ; such a Merlin redivivus as 

 transported " the giants' dance," the rocks of Stonehenge from the 

 Curragh of Kildare to the plain of Salisbury. 



Arda also is mentioned in Smith's collection, and the chorogra- 

 pher on whom we are commenting, supposes it to be the same as 

 Ardach, 



" a place jvell known at this day, which lies about half way between Stirling and Criefi 

 and where are vestiges of one of the greatest Roman camps to be seen in Scotland. That tlie 

 Romans were enemies whom the Fingallians completely defeated, and dispersed at Arda, 

 appears evident from part of the same poem being the song of triumph which the maids of 

 Morven sang, when they came forth to congratulate their heroes on their return." 



This passage reminds us of the daughter of Jephthah coming out 

 with timbrels and dances, to hail her father's return ; and of the 

 women of Israel chanting the triumph of David. But in what his- 

 torian is this complete defeat of the Romans by the Fingallians men- 

 tioned ? The Romans were not in the habit, more than the modern 

 Britons,* of concealing their defeats, or the names of their enemies. 

 Under whose reign did it happen ? How many Roman eagles were 

 lost ? In what hall or temple were they deposited ? And why did 

 the victors return to the " rock and the white beach," and not follow 

 up their " complete " victory by the total expulsion of their enemies 

 from the island ? for it will scarcely be maintained that the battle of 

 Ardach, if ever there M^as such a battle, extinguished the Roman 

 power in Britain. Verily, we shall again require the aid of Merlin 

 to solve these questions. 



Doctor Graham is willing to give up Macpherson here. " Of 

 his dreams,"; he says, " he makes no account." He rejects the 

 .frnc; .; ;•;■'■•■; '-'^ 0:* 



ljl'»;y©ltaire observes that the English never conceal the number of their slain in battle. 



U . . : . 



