garded by the few poets, or rather rhymers, who outlived the storm, with feelings of pleasure and admiration. It is easy to perceive the effect which such a state ef society would produce on the general character and moral complexion of the people. Accustomed to obtain fame, from those in whose power it was to immortalize in song, for carrying spoil from their neighbours, and for burning the hamlets in which they dwelt, they would soon learn to consider the character ofa general robber as heroic and honourable. Hence it happens that at the present day, the inferior orders of the Irish often amuse themselves with the adventures of noted robbers, whom they admire as men of superior spirit, incapable of spending their lives in inglorious repose. All the inhabitants of the cabin may be seen anxiously listening to the tale of wonder ; and if human beings are fond of imitating what they have early admired, it is unnecessary to say, that such amusements may be attended with dangerous results.

Such is a short sketch of the nature of that change which the poetry of Ireland has undergone; of some of the causes by which this change has been produced; and of the influence which the revolution may have had in the formation of national character. Let us now inquire how far the modern history of Highland

poetry and bards, corresponds with that which has now been given. It will be found to differ in the most essential particulars.

Till the year 1745, there was very little change in the customs or superstitions of the Highlanders. Before this period, few strangers ever settled among them. The chiefs,

it is true, often made war on one another, but their families were scarcely ever extirpated. The bards were not, therefore, deprived of their patrons; nor was the beautiful poetry of their ancestors exchanged for the legendary tales of the saints: this continued to be recited with the enthusiam and effect of former ages. Besides, the inhabitants of the Highlands were never totally committed to the government of priests; they yielded an unlimited obedience to their lords; and both their chieftains and themselves were very much regulated in their taste and conduct, by the inspiring song of the bards.

Happily the government of Scotland, though often opposed, was never considered by them as imposed or illegitimate. The lowlanders, indeed, they despised as a mean degenerate race, from whom they were ever ready to carry off booty; but the kings who reigned over that people as well as themselves, so far as they knew any thing concerning them, they regarded as their countrymen and friends. Their attach

ment to this race of princes, was evinced by the opposition which some of the chiefs made to the government of William, and was still more manifest in the year 1715 and 1745. This feeling of regard, which both priests and poets entertained in common with the people, deprived them at the same time of an opportu nity of declaiming against the Scotish government, and of confirming the multitude in inveterate hostility to its yoke, while it ultimately facilitated the necessary change of transferring their allegiance from the House of Stuart to that of Hanover.

But it is not only from the history of the Highlands, I infer that the general character of its poetry remained unchanged till a very recent period, and that the taste of its inhabitants continued to derive advantage from its constant recitation; the same conclusion may be drawn from the actual reliques of Gaelic poetry. It is true, indeed, there is a very considerable difference between the ancient and modern compositions even in the Highlands : perhaps it may be said, that the one surpasses the other in all the higher and more exquisite beauties of poetry, nearly as much as Milton excels the less distinguished of the English bards; but there is one quality common to both, though not always in an equal degree; their tendency to excite

pure and tender emotions, to strengthen those associations that are favourable to individual and social virtue, and to give full effect to those feelings, so dear to the heart of a Highlander, that make

The loud torrent, and the whirlwind's roar,
But bind him to his native mountains more.

Besides, in the Gaelic poetry there is scarcely ever, even in the most modern and inferior species of it, any allusion to witches, or saints, or giants, or miracles: there are, indeed, a few poems of this description, but from their extreme similarity to modern Irish poetry, it is not difficult to trace their origin. Many of the sgeuldachs or tales abound in the marvellous; especially in those parts of Argyleshire which are near Ireland. The bards sung of themes more suited to the taste of their patrons, of warriors and hapless lovers, of the bloody combat of contending clans, or the mournful destiny of the maid who mourns in secret the early fall of the dweller of her secret soul."

The very superstition of the Highlands, though dark and sublime, had the best moral tendency it was the superstition, not of an illiberal and debasing fanaticism, but of a warm hearted and affectionate people, exercising the kindest sympathies of human nature,

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while secluded by their mountains from the rest of mankind*. It was so closely associated with their poetry and tales, that the frequent recitation of these rendered it familiar to all their conceptions-All the moral advantages which this pleasing superstition and poetry combined were calculated to afford, have been fully enjoyed by the Highlanders till a very late period the songs of other times, which the bards and heroes of other ages had heard and sung, and which must ever possess charms for the dullest ear, have been repeated with the fondest admiration, in the hall and in the cottage, not many years ago; so that the effects, in the bold and intrepid spirit, in the urbanity of manners, and purity of character for which this people are distinguished, are still very manifest. Indeed, to listen to the recitation of such poetry with pleasure, is not only an exercise highly improving, but forms no inconsiderable proof of important improvement having already been made; just as it is the indication of some refinement of taste, and vigour of thought, fully to relish the beauties of the higher order of the English bards.

"It is difficult to say, to what a degree, in

* See Mrs. Grant's Work on the Superstitions of the Highlanders.