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270 NOTE.c.always regret, that a man so eminently qualified for the task,did not live to accomplish it. The present work professes to benothing more than a specimen or prospectus of his larger one.Summary and brief as it is, it is twice as long as Di\ Smith's,•which is held out to be a detailed and complete history. Thereis not one fact of importance in Dr. Smith's history, which hasnot been anticipated by Mr. Tolaud. As to the uncandid mannerin which the reverend doctor has dealt with our author, Ileave it to the impartial reader to determine; but I do not hesitateto affirm, that h?A not Mr. Toland led the way, Dr. Smith'3history had never made its appearance.NoteXXIIL-^PageSI.Oginiiis^ &fc.—From this piece of masterly criticism, it willappear how impossible it is to explain many passages in the Greek^nd Roman clfeissics, /without a knowledge of the Gaelic language.Respecting the Gaelic Hercules, Toland has been solull, as to leave no room for me, or any one else, to enlarge onthe subject. I must, however, request the reader to bear inmind (as it is a subject to which I will have occasion to recallhis attention) how perfectly the Gaelic philosopher or Druid,mentioned by Lucian, spoke the Greek language, and how intimatelyhe was acquainted with the Greek poets and the Grecianmythology.Note XXIV.—Page 92 & 93,*Mr. Tolaind's remarks on the Irish manuscripts deserve particularattention. Though Pinkarton, Tnnes, kc. have indulgedthemselves freely in reprobating these manuscripts, on accountof the foolish and improbable stories (hey contain, yet Mr. Toland,in this respect, has outdone them all. It is remarkable,that the interpolations and alterations of ancient manuscriptsmay principally be dated from the commencement of the christiana^ra. Before that period the heathen nations had nothing,jbeyoiid the limits of their authentic history, but fable and con-