64 



down therein are rather severely treated. The critic has, however, 

 made several judicious remarks on the ancient language and litera- 

 ture of Ireland.*' This Prospectus was, I believe, the latest produc- 

 tion of any consequence of the venerable author. 



* Vol. 2. page 16. — The following extract from this critique may serve to convey a general 

 idea of the modern opinions of our Scottish neighbours, on the subject of the ancient literature 

 of Ireland. 



" The ancient language of Ireland has long deserved the attention of the learned, both from 

 the intimate connection which it holds with the history of the British islands, and the neglected 

 state in which it has hitherto been suffered to perish. Though now confined to the mountains of 

 Scotland and a few of the mldest Irish counties, it possesses many qualities which merit an accurate 

 examination ; it is entitled to a share of the labours of the Philologist, on account of its anti- 

 quity ; and particularly endeared to a patriotic Briton as the primitive language of his country. 

 More imporant reasons might have induced the antiquary to study it, and transmit it to poste- 

 rity. A considerable number of ancient MSS. the work of the dark and middle ages are written 

 in Irish. The monks of that kingdom, without deserving the praise of being more enlightened than 

 their brethren on the continent, had, however, the good fortune to escape, in some measure, the 

 Saxon and Danish conquests, which extinguished learning in Britain. Ireland possesses many MSS. 

 of old laws, poems, romances, chronicles, &c. which were not composed by pagans, though at a time 

 when Britain was comparatively illiterate. The stories of Oisein, Fin, and his heroes may be better 

 learned from Irish MSS. of the 12th than from ignorant Highland traditions of the 19th century. Such 

 a height of discredit have these traditions now attained, that since the publications of Macpherson, 

 no candid inquirer dare trust in them, even when they are supported by the most respectable 

 authority. Irish or Highland MSS. older than the beginning of the 18th century, must alone 

 determine the authenticity of the poems ascribed to Ossian. Such extracts of these MSS. as 

 are useful for any literary purpose, ought to be published by the joint labours of the Irish and 

 Highland literati. The time is for ever fled, when a Highlander might forge what he pleased, 

 and tell the world that it was a translation. Why does no sober antiquary compile a Dic- 

 tionary of the Irish from authentic MSS. and printed books without one particle of Etymology. 

 (The critic seems to have been unacquainted with Shaw's work.) The various senses of the Vo- 

 cables should be taken from existing writings and tlie vernacular dialects of Ireland and Scotland. 

 The orthography should be adjusted from MSS. or correct philological analogy ; not from any 

 theoretical derivations with which even the quotations of some Celtic Philologists have been cor- 

 rupted. Instead of this scientific labour, the Caledonian and Hibernian antiquaries waste long 

 lives and respectable learning, in establisliishing fictions, which a child would ridicule, and in 

 torturing the pliable orthography of a barbarous dialect, to give it a fanciful resemblance to San- 

 scrit or Phoenician. Smith's Gaelic antiquities, the writings of the two Macphersons and all the 



