Yet simplicity in that sense which precludes penetration
into human character, and occasional stratagem and finesse,
made no part of the highland manners. They were often
necessitated from their manner of carrying on their hunting or
predatory excursions, to be like Arviragus,

' Subtle as the fox for prey^
Like warlike as the wolf for what they eat ' ; (Shakesprare)

while their peculiarly social mode of living together, the
address necessary to conciliate and adjust jarring interests
among allied clans, and the habit of making all private con-
siderations subservient to the good of the community, sharpen^
their native sagacity and enlargM their minds. Meantime



* Now Fort-William.
MRS. GRANTS LETTERS 808

their excessive delight in poetry, music, and the tales in which
the heroic deeds of their ancestors were preserve, communi-
cated to their imaginations a tender and romantic enthusiasm,
which gave a high and peculiar colouring to their affections
and their virtues. Without entering into any discussion of the
disputed question relative to the antiquity or authenticity of
their boasted Ossian, it is undeniably certain that remains,
undoubtedly genuine, of poems composed by the bards attached
to certain great families, within these three or four centuries,
still exist sufficient to do honour both to the genius and the
virtues of this secluded people.
These remains are peculiarly valuable for the high strain of
heroic generosity and pure morality which breathe thro^ them
and entitles the Mountain Muse to praise,

* Beyond all Greeks beyond all Roman fame.'

It is to be observM to the honour of those untaught bards
that their wild strains of eulogy and lamentation never faiPd
to wait upon departed merit, however deprest or unfortunate.
