1 (44) to fifty-eight lines, with the literal translation by Mr. Macpherson fubjoined, befides other fpecimens from that bard. These were never published by Mr. Macpherson. In p. 133 of the Analyfis, at the foot of another quotation from Offian, we have these remarkable words: "Thefe lines have beauties, which the trans"lation, (Mr. Macpherson's), notwithstanding "its excellence, has not been able to display.” I fhould like to hear Mr. Shaw pay a modeft compliment to his own abilities, by telling us, that he translated the lines alluded to, from the English. If he does, I fhall be at no lofs for an answer to him: fuffice it for me to fay, at prefent, They are Offian's. He has indeed favoured us with a translation of Mr. Pope's Meffiah, and fome other pieces, from English, into Gaelic poetry. But oh! how different from Malvina's Dream! He has, indeed, had the pru dence to fave himfelf from the poffibility of any particular criticism; for I defy, him to find one Highland fcholar, who can make two lines of it approach, in the leaft, to common fenfe, or even understand the meaning of his very words: probably he has gone upon an old fup fuppofition, that, what is not understood, muft be admired. Thus it appears from Mr. Shaw's, own writing, that what he asferts is not true; and that more of the original of Offian is to be found, than Mr. Macpherson has translated. "Why not publish (fays he) large extracts "from thefe manufcripts? Are they afraid, "that the Highland public, who are fo zealous "to establish the authenticity, will not purcha"fe? It cannot be believed; but the reafon is "they are not to be found:" P. 45. Our author forgot to place the fignature of irony after this paragraph. But thofe who know, what pufhing and follicitation Mr. Shaw had to make, before he could procure fubfcribers to indemnify the expence of publishing his own Dictionary of that language, will read this passage with a proper tone. I have just now before me a letter, written by Mr. Shaw, advising me not to publifh any originals. As there is nothing of a private nature contained in the letter, the following extract from it can do no hurt to Mr. Shaw, where he ought not to be hurt; and it will explain this matter. "The Gaelic is the worst fubject, you can "ufe your pen upon. The Highlanders themfel "yes, that have tafte, are poor, and buy no "books; thofe who have any thing, despise "both the language and those who speak it, "but when they have regiments to raise." The question has been thus answered by Mr. Shaw himself, long before he put it; and the paffage requires no comment. Mr. Shaw tells us, that he offered to purchafe any number of lines of the original of Offian, from Profeffor Macleod of Glasgow, not under fix, at the rate of half a crown each word. As the anfwer to this asfertion could only come with propriety from Profeffor Macleod himself, I used the freedom to apply to that gentleman, through the medium of a friend, who has the honour of his acquaintance. The Profeffor, with that liberality which marks his character, wrote me, in confequence of my friend's application, the following letter, the original of which is in my poffefsion." "Sir, "IN answer to your inquiry, refpecting the "ufe made of my name in the pamphlet against "Mr. Macpherson, I beg leave to asfure you, "that the pamphleteer has taken thofe liberties "with my name, moft improperly, without my "knowledge, and without a due regard to truth. "In particular, I declare, that Mr. William "Shaw never did challenge me to produce any "number of lines of the original of Offian's "poems, offering to pay me half a crown per "word, for all that I fhould produce; and that "no fuch challenge was given, nor offers made, "nor any thing to the fame purpose faid, by "any perfon, at any time, either to me, or to "any other in my hearing. I have only to add, "that, if any fuch offer fhould hereafter be "made, by any man posfeffed of half-crowns, I "fhall not hesitate to accept the condition; as"fured as I am, that I fhall find no difficulty "in procuring any number of lines of the origi. "nal poems. Mr. Macpherson, with whom I "had the happinefs of commencing a very ear.. "ly acquaintance at college, read a confiderable "part of thofe poems to me in the original "Gaelic, before the publication of his verfion; "and it was owing to my own engagements "at the time, and not to any backwardness on "his part, that I had not the pleasure of hearing "him read the whole. He lately indulged me "with the original of feveral paffages of both "the poems of Fingal and Temora, to gratify "a third gentleman, who wifhed to have those "paffages in Gaelic; and I have not the leaft "doubt of his dispofition to oblige me, or any "man who applies to him like a gentleman, in "the fame way again, or by giving any other "fatisfaction on the subject, that can be reason"ably defired. "I have the honour to be, &c." To Mr. John Clark, Brifto Street, Edinr, H. MACLEOD, We have feen, from the above, that Mr. Shaw made no pecuniary offer whatsoever to Profeffor Macleod. But if he will be fo very obliging, as to make a fimilar offer to me, I fhall engage, to eafe him of all the cafh he has to spare. It will be needlefs to fay any thing with respect to the general attack, which Mr. Shaw has made on the character of the gentlemen and clergy of the Highlands, whofe teftimonies have been produced as proofs of the authentici ty |