A Critical Dissertation On The Poems Of Ossian, The Son Of Fingal (1763)

A Critical Dissertation On The Poems Of Ossian, The Son Of Fingal is a book written by Hugh Blair in 1763. The book is a critical analysis of the poems of Ossian, a legendary Scottish bard who was said to have lived in the third century. The poems were translated and published by James Macpherson in the 1760s, and were widely popular in Europe at the time.Blair's book is divided into two parts. The first part provides an overview of the poems of Ossian, describing their style, themes, and characters. Blair praises the poems for their vivid descriptions of nature, their emotional depth, and their portrayal of heroic characters. He also notes that the poems are written in a style that is similar to that of ancient epic poetry.The second part of the book is a critical analysis of the poems. Blair argues that the poems are not actually ancient texts, but rather a modern fabrication by Macpherson. He points out inconsistencies in the poems, such as anachronisms and historical inaccuracies. He also argues that the poems lack the depth and complexity of true ancient epic poetry.Despite his criticisms, Blair acknowledges the popularity of the poems and the impact they had on the literary world. He notes that they inspired a new interest in Scottish literature and culture, and helped to establish a sense of national identity. Overall, A Critical Dissertation On The Poems Of Ossian, The Son Of Fingal is a valuable contribution to the study of Scottish literature and the history of literary forgery.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.