A history of the Highlands and of the Highland clans : with an ...

PAROCHARSON's GAGLir COLI.KCTrOhf ol
and bei>uty of the original—and Mr. Macgillivray was convinced tliat
Ihe MS. contained all the poems translated by Marpherson. 1.
Because lie recollected very distinctly having heard Mr. Farquhar-
8on say, after having read the translation, that he had alt these poems in
liis collection. 2. Because he never saw him at a loss to find the
original in the MS. when any observation occurred upon any passage
in the translation—that he knew the poems of Fingal and Temora were
of the number, fm- he saw the greater part of both collated with the
translation, and he heard Mr. Farquharson often regret that Mac-
pherson had not found or published several poems contained in his
MS., and of no less merit than any of those laid before the public—
that Mr. Farquharson came to Scotland in 1773, leaving his MS. in the
Scots' College of Douay, where Mr. Macgillivray had occasion to see
it frequently during his stay there till 1775; but, he said, {< /w/ ^ro/
into the hands ofyount/ men xoho did not understand the Gaelic, and tvas
much tattered, and that several leaves had been torn out— that the late
Principal of that College, who was then only a student there, remem-
bered very well having seen the leaves of the mutilated nianuscri|)t
torn out to kindle the fire in tiieir stove.
Bishop Cameron believed the collection was made before the middle
of last century. He was personally acquainted with Mr. Farquharson
from 1773 to 1780, and the poems were often the subject of their con-
rersation, that whatever opiivion the literary world might form of them,
it was not easy to foresee that Macplierson shoidd be seriously believed
to be the author of them, and itwas hoped he would publish the originals.
In that persuasion perhaps few Highlanders would have copied them,
for the value of any trifling variation.
Bishop Cameron afterwards acquainted Sir .John, that he considered
the testimony of Mr. Macgillivray, on the subject of Mr. Farquharson's
collection of Gaelic poems, as of the greatest weight with him, for
many reasons. The impression made upon Mr. Macgillivray by the
translation enhanced his veneration for the original. The manuscript
appeared to him, in a very different light, from that in which it
was seen by those who had from their infancy been accustomed to hear
Hie contents of it recited or sung by illiterate men, for the entertainment
of the lower classes of Society—that the account then given by
Mr. Macgillivray, was the same which he gave him thirty years ago;
for he, Bishop Cameron, took notes of it then, and had frequently
repeated it since on his authority.
On receipt of the communication alluded to. Sir John drew u]i the
following queries which he transiuitted to ^?ishop Cameron to be com-
municated to his friends.
" Queries for the Rev. Dr. .John Cliisholni, and for the Rev. James
Macgillivray, to be answered separately.
" I. Did you recollect a manuscript of Gaelic poetry, at the collegt
of Donay in Flanders ?
"2 At what time do you recollect receiving that manuscript?