Correspondence

1212.  Hugh Stuart Boyd to EBB

As published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 7, 73–75.

[Postmark: 13 April 1843]

My very dear Friend /

I have sometimes been mistaken, when I was pretty positive. I will therefore only say as follows. It runs in my head, that several years ago, perhaps when I was at Morven [sic, for Malvern] Wells, an article was read to me, out of the Edinbourg [sic] Review or some such work; but I rather think, out of the Edinbourg. I think it was to this effect. A Society of Literary Men, has been employed for some years in investigating the Question about the authenticity of Ossian’s Poems. [1] The result is, that the character of Macpherson has been completely vindicated. It is now ascertained, that these Poems are really in existence, and were not forged by him. I myself do not remember, that I ever for a single minute doubted their genuineness. The absurdities attendant, on the contrary opinion are so great, that I wonder how any person of common sense can swallow them. With respect to Sir Walter Scot[t], I think you will not say he was a great Poet. But supposing that he was; I do not think his opinion would be of much consequence. Surely, you would not oppose it to the opinion of any Clever Man who was a Scotchman, and lived at the same time as Macpherson. Consider what the famous Hume said. [2] I have several particular reasons for believing them genuine, which an Englishman cannot have. Surely, these words must overthrow anything, which Sir Walter Scot[t] could say. It is always tedious to me, to write long letters. If you were with me, I would point out some things, which you have most probably not considered—; with which you are probably not acquainted. Let me ask one thing of you. If I do not read much of Ossian at present, do not imagine that I am tired of him, the fact is this. It is not pleasant to my head, to read a great deal in a day. There is one Book greater than Ossian. [3] If I read much of his Poems, I must read less of that Book. Kind love to Arabel[.]

Ever Yours affectionately

H. S. Boyd

Turn Over

Now, don’t be in a fury. Don’t wreak your vengeance upon Arabbl [sic], or upon Flush. It does appear to me, that next to the Sacred Poets, Ossian is the finest upon the whole. Remember, it is not his fault, if Homer stands dim behind him, like the darkened half of the Moon, behind its growing light; not indeed to destroy, but because he is outdone. I hope you are getting better, notwithstanding this cold weather.

Address, on integral page: Miss Barrett / 50 Wimpole Street / London.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Pierpont Morgan Library.

1. The Edinburgh Review of July 1805 (pp. 429–462) noticed the Report of the Committee of the Highland Society of Scotland, Appointed to Inquire into the Nature and Authenticity of the Poems of Ossian (1805) as well as a new edition of the poems, edited by Malcolm Laing. Boyd’s assertion that Macpherson was vindicated is certainly not wholly supported by this article, which says: “we believe no well-informed person will now pretend that Ossian is to be quoted as historical authority, or that a collection of Gaelic poems does any where exist, of which Macpherson’s version can be regarded as a faithful, or even a loose translation.” The writer does, however, believe that there existed “a sort of general basis of tradition, on which the poems … appear to have been founded.”

2. The article in The Edinburgh Review quotes a letter, printed in the Report, from David Hume to Hugh Blair, one of Macpherson’s principal champions. While again admitting the existence of traditional poems dealing with Ossian and Fingal, Hume cautions against accepting only verbal testimonies to the authenticity of Macpherson’s translations, pointing out that “all the Irish cried out, We know all those poems” but were unable to cite any one paragraph of the supposed original text. Hume concludes by saying “that the believers in the authenticity of the poems diminish every day among men of sense and reflection.”

3. i.e., the Bible.

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