148 



SECTION VIII. 



On the Topographic of Ossian's Poems. 



Critics and antiquaries have found much pleasure in investi- 

 gating the topography of Troy and the scenes of Homer's battles. 

 Why should not Sir John Sinclair and his Highland friends find 

 similar pleasure in investigating and describing the scenes where 

 Fingal fought and Ossian sang "i The former, indeed, had certain 

 geographical guides to direct them ; well-known headlands, the 

 isle of Tenedos, the river Simois, and the Hellespont. If such guides 

 be wanting to Ossian, the greater must be the topographical inge- 

 nuity which can discover and describe his scenery without them. 



Mr. Alexander Stewart, A. M,, has favoured Sir John Sinclair, 



and, through him, the public, with a brief description of Selma : 



i!*; ;ii '.'■■•iv,<\ •!■:'! ^. '^\\^ Iviie iioin iilT V/tTe^r 



" In which he says, there is reason to believe that Selma, the principal residence of 

 ■ Fingal, is that part of Argyleshire, call Upper Lorn, now called by the inhabitants Ditn-Mkic- 

 Snilheachain, i. e. the fort of the son of Snitho, but by some of our historians Berigonium,* 

 and by them said to have been once the capitol of the kingdom of the Gaels or Caledonlttns. 

 On the top of this hill are still to be seen vestiges of extensive buildings, with fragments of 

 the walls, bearing evident marks of fire, scattered along the sides of the hill." 



He then quotes some passages from Doctor Smith's ancient 

 poems, descriptive, as he imagines, of the scenery : 



" The chase had ceased and the deer slept 

 Under the shadow of trees on the moss; 



« Berogomum. Camden. 



