though we cannot determine, with certainty, the medium 

 through which they passed. But I shall now proceed to 

 adduce a few instances, in support of my hypothesis. 



The simihtude, between the pathetic Irish tale of Con- 

 loch, and the story of Rustara, as related by the Persian 

 poet, Ferdusi, in his heroic poem, entitled Shah Nameh, 

 is almost too strong to admit of its being supposed acci- 

 dental. " Ferdusi relates," (I borrow the words of the inge- 

 nious Sir William Ouseley,) " that, after a sumptuous feast, 

 *' and magnificent entertainment, given, in honour of Rus- 

 *' tam, by the king of Sitemgam, to which wine and music 

 " contributed all their charms, a couch or bed being care- 

 " fully prepared for the Persian hero, (Rustam,) he retired 

 " to rest; and, after a short time, was astonished at the ap- 

 " pearance of a lovely damsel, who advanced from behind 

 " the curtains and hangings." After a glowing description 

 of the personal charms of the damsel, and a relation of 

 the particulars of her conversation, with the hero. Sir 

 William proceeds. " Of this mysterious interview, and 

 " the subsequent union of our hero with the princess, 

 " the result was a son, whom the king, her father, edu- 

 " cated, after RustanVs departure, and called by the name 

 " of Sohraub. The youth, having learned from his mo- 

 " ther, the strange circumstances of his birth, and of 

 " Rustam's fame, resolved to set out, in quest of adven- 

 " tures, and immediately commenced a series of brave 

 " and gallant actions. But being so unfortunate, as to 

 " encounter his own father, each ignorant of his relation 



" to 



