the subject of Highland manners and traditions, which is now probably lost to the public. It is remarkable that, after long and painful research in quest of original passages of the poems of Ossian, he adopted an opinion more favourable to their authenticity than has lately prevailed in the literary world. But the confessed infidelity of Macpherson must always excite the strongest suspicion on this subject. Leyden composed, with his usual facility, several detached poems upon Highland traditions, all of which have probably perished, excepting a ballad founded upon the romantic legend respecting Macphail of Colonsay and the Mermaid of Corrievrekin, inscribed to Lady Charlotte Campbell, and published in the third volume of the Border Minstrelsy, which appeared at the distance of about a twelvemonth after the two first volumes of that work. The opening of this ballad exhibits a power of numbers which, for the mere melody of sound, has seldom been excelled in English poetry." Sir Arthur Mitchell, in his delightful paper * read before the Society of Antiquaries, April 8, 1901, points out how important a place Tours form in the literature of a country, supplying, as they often do, information not to be found in ordinary histories. This remark is peculiarly applicable to the present work, as Leyden, no ordinary observer, has, with his usual ardour, recorded in these pages many incidents relating to the Highlands at a most interesting period. It should perhaps be added that Dr Leyden's spelling of place-names in his * A List of Travels, Tours, Journeys, Voyages, Cruises, Excursions, Wanderings, Rambles, Visits, &c., relating to Scotland. By Sir Arthur Mitchell, K.C.B., M.D., Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, vol. xxxv. pp. 431-638. Journal has been followed throughout : most of them, however, will be easily identified by those familiar with the various districts visited. It has been my desire to present this Tour to the public as it was written by the author, often in circumstances of difficulty and discomfort. The Bibliography appended to the Tour will, I trust, be found useful by those who are admirers of the life and writings of the illustrious scholar and poet. I have endeavoured to make it as complete as possible; but I shall feel grateful to any who may be in possession of books or MSS. by Dr Leyden not mentioned in my list, if they will kindly communicate with me on the subject. To those friends who have interested themselves in this work I have to return my sincere thanks; and while not forgetful of their help, my special thanks are due to Dr Thomas Morton, London, but for whose kind assistance the manuscript portion of the Bibliography would have been very incomplete. To Dr John Morton, Guildford, I am also under a deep debt of gratitude for furnishing me with a list of Leyden MSS. in his possession; and I must not omit to record my indebtedness to Mr A. H. Millar, Dundee; Mr Charles H. Tawney, M.A., C.I.E., India Office, Whitehall; Dr John Leyden Morton, London; and Mr William Macmath, Edinburgh, for assistance received in the Bibliographical portion of this work. January 1903. J. S. CONTENTS. JOURNAL. July 14. Edinburgh to Kirkliston-Niddry Castle ville, D.D.-Mr Ramsay of Ochtertyre-Blair- July 16. Loch Venachoir-The Water- Horse- Loch Achray - Trosachs-Loch Katrine- Tarbet-Ben Lomond-Loch Lomond July 18. Loch Long-Arthur Seat-Glen Croe- Rest-and-be-Thankful-Glen Kinglass-Ar- July 19. Inveraray Castle-Duke of Argyle- Gregor Murray - Sir William Hart's MS. |