CONTENTS. PAGE. The only Living Grandson of Robert Burns-James The Nasmyth-Raeburn Portrait of Robert Burns-J. C. Reproduction of the Thomson-Nasmyth Portrait-Editor Cromek Convicted (A Review)-Editor PREFACE. In the course of the year, owing to the exceptional circumstances in which they found themselves placed, the Executive of the Federation found it necessary to take over all responsibility connected with the publishing of the Chronicle, and they have much reason to congratulate themselves on the success which has attended their efforts, and the loyal support they have received from a large number of the Federated Clubs. The Editor also has been well supported, and feels confident that the present issue will recommend itself as maintaining the reputation which the Chronicle has already made as a reliable authority on everything relating to Burns and Burnsian literature. D. M‘NAUGHT, BENRIG, KILMaurs, December 25th, 1908. Editor. A SKETCH OF SCOTTISH LITERATURE FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES. CHAPTER V. J EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. AMES MACPHERSON, who was designated by Dr Johnson the father of Ossian, may be taken as an appropriate author with whom to commence the present chapter, for the obvious reason that the poems of Ossian made an almost phenomenal impression on many of the leaders of taste and literature in Scotland and England, not only on their first appearance but James Macpherson, indeed long after. In spite of their solemn 1738-1798. pomp and grand eloquence the poems appealed to so many in the country in which they were published that it seems strange they have so long and so completely lost their power and fascination. Whatever may be thought of the Ossianic poems at this time of day, however, they undoubtedly exercised an important influence on the romantic movement in European literature. They were translated into most of the European languages, and received with an eclat which is wellnigh incredible to a more matter-of-fact generation. Napoleon the First carried them in his knapsack when on his campaigns, and read and re-read them with increasing interest; Herder and Schiller were charined with them; Goethe was greatly influenced by them, and in his "Sorrows of Werther" he says "Ossian has taken the place of Homer in my heart and imagination.” When Werther visits Charlotte for the last time he reads to her the greater portion of Ossian's "Songs of Selma." To wander in imagination over pathless wilds surrounded by |