had hitherto lent lustre and glory to the part the Whigs played in the events of the Revolution. The anger and denunciation of the Whigs, like a stormy sea against a rock-bound coast, spent its fury in vain, for the Original Papers from which Macpherson had evolved his history defied contradiction and criticism. Obviously it was a strange irony of Fate that the same individual who exhibited so much anger and disdain when his own critics demanded the production of the original documents of the Ossianic poems, should now triumph on the strength of original documents and novelty of treatment, which more than all else constitute the true basis of authentic history. Although this historical treatise was rendered so impregnable by the author's modus operandi, it only confirmed the opinion of his critics that if it had been in his power to produce the original poems ascribed to Ossian he would have done so rather than have suffered the humiliation his Highland pride sustained. The tact and ability Macpherson manifested in writing history inspired the confidence of the Government of the Duke of Grafton, who induced him to combat the arguments put forward by the advocates of American Independence-a task which he willingly undertook. With this object in view he wrote a pamphlet, which was published in 1776 and circulated in political circles with much industry. Four years later, and under the auspices of the same Government, he also wrote A History of the Opposition in Parliament during the Session of 1779, which soon became immensely popular by reason of its ability and the elegance of its style. It was believed that the author of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire was the only writer of the day who could command the grand style to the same extent, and for some time after it was published it was generally ascribed to Gibbon. By this time Macpherson had established his reputation as a writer of history on a solid basis, and as a reward for his political services he was appointed agent for the Nabob of Arcot, in whose interest he employed his talents to the satisfaction of the great trader and all else concerned. During his connection with this office Macpherson's pen was seldom inactive, and among other productions he wrote the

"Letters from Mohammed Ali Chan, Nabob of Arcot, to the Court of Directors, to which is annexed a State of Facts relative to Tanjore, with an Appendix of Original Papers," published 1777, besides a fragment of a work on the East Indian Company. Owing to his industry and genius Macpherson had now attained a position of wealth and influence, which not only astonished those who had been acquainted with him in his early days, but made him sufficiently popular to secure a seat in Parliament. In 1780 he was returned for the Borough of Camelford, and reelected by the same constituency in 1784-1790. At this time of day it is difficult to understand how he retained the support and confidence of his constituency, for he does not appear ever to have spoken in support of or against any measure brought before the House during the whole course of his Parliamentary representation. To a generation far removed from the din and strife incurred regarding the authenticity of the Ossianic poems, it may fairly be assumed that Macpherson has not had the justice done to his genius and talent they deserve.

Whatever may be said in depreciation of the construction of the poetry itself, with its inflated metaphor and bombast, it must be admitted that Macpherson has conveyed in it the thought and spirit of the Celtic genius, as it was and as it may still be found in the character and thought of the Northern Gael. The attempt to inspire the public with the belief that the poems of Ossian were translated from Gaelic originals when the greater number of them emanated from his own pen, did not say much for his honesty, though it is highly creditable to his genius. Moreover, his moral character in other respects was not beyond reproach, and that was fatal to his literary reputation at a time when the public refused to judge a man's works apart from the character of the man himself. Even Dr Johnson, in his menacing letter to Macpherson respecting the authenticity of the Ossianic poems, did not refrain from dragging Macpherson's moral character into public view. "What I hear of your morals," he says, "inclines me to pay regard not to what you shall say, but what you shall

prove."

At such a time it were needless to urge in mitigation of his offences against society morals that he was not so callous as to cast his illicit offspring on a cold, uncharitable world unprovided for, with the disgrace of their parentage upon their innocent heads, but he left them each a substantial legacy so that they might have a more favourable start in life than had fallen to his own lot. no two opinions, and the vanity which was so much a part of his life clung to him in the hour of death. Lest posthumous fame should fail, he left a sum of money to defray the expenses of erecting a monument on his own estate of Belville, in Scotland, and instructions in his will that his body should be taken from Scotland and interred in Westminster Abbey, where it was laid in Poets' Corner. When James Macpherson made his debut in the world of letters his claim was merely that of the translator, but when he made his final exit from it he evidently desired to establish for himself the more presumptuous claim of poet. There is little doubt but the Ossianic poems are all, or nearly all, the work of Macphersom's own hand, and in spite of all that has been said. to the contrary by advocates of their Gaelic origin, they could be produced by a youth of a romantic turn of mind, superior ability, and poetic gift. To whatever extent Macpherson may have incorporated the poetic spirit of the Highland Celt in these poems, they appeared to have appealed to a sentiment which was prevalent throughout Europe at the time. Indeed, some permanent results of the Ossianic movement may be detected even in the later literature which prides itself in declaring its complete emancipation from its influence. Beyond being affected in a similar manner by the prevailing sentiment, there is little in the poems which specially appeal to the poetic sentiment of the Lowland Scot and his Saxon neighbour, except in an antiquarian sense, which gradually disappeared as soon as their authenticity was seriously questioned. Considerable space has thus been given to Macpherson owing to the vogue Ossian once had in literary circles.

With regard to his vanity there can be

James Muirhead, 1742-1808.

Little need be devoted to our next author, James Muirhead, though he recalls us more directly to the poetical sentiment of the Lowlander. He was a small light among larger constellations, for he might be described as the poet of one song, but the ballad literature which does not include " Bess, the Gawkie," cannot be called quite complete. This well-known song, which has been so long popular in the West of Scotland, is said to have had its origin in a love affair connected with its author which had occurred during his college curriculum. Whether this may be so or

not, it has long survived the circumstances which are said to have inspired it. "Bess, the Gawkie," is characteristic of its author, and contains a pawkie humour which prevails in his prose writings and sermons. James Muirhead was the eldest son of Muirhead of Logan, in Kirkcudbrightshire, a well-known and celebrated family. He was born in East Logan in 1742, and was educated at the Dumfries Grammar School, subsequently going to Edinburgh University at the age of twelve with the view of studying the law, but he soon gave it up for Divinity. While at Edinburgh he was regarded by his fellow-students as a young man far above the average in ready wit and general ability. In 1770 he was ordained minister of the Parish Church of Urr, in Kirkcudbrightshire. On the death of his father he succeeded to the family property of Logan, which made him a freeholder, entitling him to a county vote. On more than one occasion he came into collision with the poet Burns, and belonging as they did to different political parties they indulged in lampooning each other when party feeling ran high. In 1796 Muirhead received the degree of D.D. from Edinburgh University, and was afterwards known as Dr Muirhead of Logan. He was succeeded in the Parish Church of Urr by Alexander Murray, the famous linguist, who from a shepherd boy became the greatest linguist of his day. While Murray was residing at the Manse of Urr, a despatch from the Governor of Tigree in Abyssinia to George III. was sent to him by the Marquis Wellesley as the only person in the British dominions likely to be able to translate it, which

he did without difficulty, receiving the thanks of the King and Government.

John Ewen,
1741-1821.

Like Muirhead, John Ewen has been immortalised by one song, but he is even less famous than the author of "Bess, the Gawkie," inasmuch as it is not known that he wrote anything else save "The Boatie Rows." Ewen had the reputation of being a man of musical talent and lyrical taste. He was a native of Montrose, and son of a tinker, was born 1741, and the assumption is that his education was only such as qualified him for a business career. While in his teens he followed the trade of a pedlar, which he must have plied with some degree of success. When he was about twenty years of age he settled in Aberdeen as a hardware merchant, and built up a considerable fortune without meanness. Indeed, he had the reputation of being a highly intelligent man, and of a charitable disposition. "The Boatie Rows was a great favourite with Burns, who thought it worthy to rank with "There's Nae Luck Aboot the House." "Ca' the Yowes to the Knowes," in one form or other has had a popularity equal to, if it does not really surpass, that of "The Boatie Rows," and we are indebted to Isobel Pagan, 1741-1821, for the first version of it. The authoress is included among the Ayrshire contemporaries of Burns, though the Poet does not appear ever to have met her; otherwise we should have known of it, as she was just one of those personalities with whom Burns would have enjoyed a fusilade of repartee and wit. The vivacious Isobel was born in Ayrshire in 1741, and lived most of her days in a hovel near Muirkirk, Ayrshire, where she was known to have done a trade in smuggled whisky. She is said to have amused her customers with her sarcastic wit as well as entertained them with songs of merriment. Her vocal powers were well known in the district, where she had a reputation for natural gifts and originality. In 1805 there was published at Glasgow a collection of songs and poems under her name, but no great merit can be claimed for them except the song referred to above, and to which might perhaps be added the song entitled "The Crook and