368 



NOVEMBER. 



but in the autumnal and wintry months, I 

 habitually cast my eyes upon a small recess, 

 filled with books, and, amongst them, upon 

 Ossian ; and if I remember any hours of pecu- 

 liar enjoyment, I do those thus occupied. The 

 days and feelings of my boyhood are at once 

 brought back again. I connect the scenes and 

 the heroes of the " Voice of Cona" in some 

 mysterious manner with the memory of those 

 with whom I was wont to admire them ; and 

 am snatched from a world of cold calculation 

 and selfishness, in which we all too willingly 

 participate, to one of glory and generosity. 

 We are often asked wherein consists the pecu- 

 liar charm of Ossian. It is in the graceful 

 delicacy and refined affection of his female cha- 

 racters; the reckless bravery, lofty sentiment, 

 and generous warmth of his warriors, and the 

 wildness of the scenery in which they dwell. 

 We are delighted to find his lovely and noble 

 beings on their rude heaths, or in their rude 

 halls, exhibiting a poetical refinement of mind, 

 far transcending the tone of modern society, 

 with all the beautiful set-off of the simplicity 

 of ancient manners. And then, what a pathos 

 is in their sorrows. The harp of Ossian is 



