MR small's biographical sketch of prof. ADAM FERGUSON. 639 



alter the state of my recollection, for my memory of him is, among other parti- 

 culars in which he is well known to me, that he never appeared to be in posses- 

 sion of any part of Ossian's poetry. I well remember that he was in some degree 

 a singer, though I do not recollect any particular song but one, which, with a 

 very few words of any meaning, consisted chiefly of a chorus or burden, not more 

 significant than lullabolaro or derry down. If he repeated this or any other song 

 that Dr Percy might hear the sound of the language, it is no wonder that I should 

 forget that circumstance, especially as I have totally forgot Dr Percy's visit with 

 you at my house. But I hope that Dr Percy, now he has seen his minutes, 

 will be sensible that a person may mistake what he thinks he remembers, as well 

 as another may forget what has really passed. What he wrote from his memory 

 in a former letter was, that I had sent for a student to your house. What he 

 writes now is, that he came to the student at my house. Some other very easy 

 mistake in the circumstances, if recollected, might acquit me entirely of any share 

 in the imposition that was put upon Dr Percy. I confess that I was astonished 

 at the ease with which this charge was stated against me in the pamphlet which 

 has given rise to this correspondence. If I had the honour of being sufficiently 

 known to Dr Percy, I should certainly request that he would compare proba- 

 bilities, and consider which is most likely, that I should be accessory to a cheat, 

 or that he should mistake some material circumstance of a story sixteen years 

 old. Although I may not be entitled to employ this plea with Dr Percy, I cer- 

 tainly must be allowed to submit it, in case I am under a necessity of more pub- 

 lications, to persons to whom I am better known. There is certainly hitherto no 

 reason to apprehend from me, as Dr Percy mentions, any improper desire of 

 committing my name in print. I appeared, from necessity, to prevent inferences 

 which might be drawn from my silence against me. I do not pretend to set up 

 my affirmation against that of any other person ; but as often as occasion is given 

 to the same inference, I must appear again to the same purpose. Dr Percy is 

 pleased to say in the letter which I return to you, that if I persist in denying 

 publicly the existence of a recital, &c., he must then be compelled, much against 

 his will, to produce at large necessary proofs in support of his own affirmation. 

 Dr Percy will be pleased to observe, that I do not pretend to know what recitals 

 he may have had made to him. I only deny that I ever was present at any impo- 

 sition put upon Dr Percy by any pretended recital of Erse, and that I ever was 

 present at any such recital. I am persuaded that there are no proofs to the 

 contrary, of Avhich Dr Percy will not perceive the weakness the more he con- 

 siders them. At any rate, he must be sensible that if any such proofs are sup- 

 posed, I cannot possibly consent to have them secreted. When they appear, I 

 , hope that I too shall proceed with temper and decency, although I have a little 

 more at stake than Dr Percy, and have my integrity to defend against a most 

 unexpected attack, which it seems is to be carried on against me in support of his^ 



VOL. XXIII. PART III. 8 K 



