He adds, "that they have their women in coinmon."

Now, I confess, that, in all this testimony, if we except the last circumstance, which Mr Laing himself candidly rejects, I can perceive nothing but that ordinary admixture of violence and of bravery, of ferocity and of generosity, which constitutes the character of nations, in the earlier stages of society.

The testimony of Herodian is very nearly the same, to the character of hardiness, and intrepidity in swimming and wading over their rivers and morasses, without regard to the inclemencies of the weather, exertions, on which the Romans prided themselves in the polished days of Horace :-he adds the common account of their painting their bodies; and of their propensity to war and shedding of blood. Jerome, an eye-witness, is cited, as asserting, that the Attacotti, (who, however, by the consent of all, did not inhabit Caledonia, in the period assigned to Fin

gal,) were addicted to eating human flesh. This also Mr Laing very candidly rejects.

Such is the amount of the testimony of those ancient writers, concerning the barbarism of the Caledonians. But why did Mr Laing, in elaborating this point, throw the unquestionable authority of Tacitus into the shade? For I must, in this instance, as before, call his authority unquestionable; because he enjoyed the best opportunities of being informed. His father-in-law, Agricola, had been, during the space of about seven years, commander of the Roman forces in Britain; he had penetrated farther into Caledonia than any that had preceded him; and, after his return to Rome, his son-in-law lived with him, for many years, in habits of the utmost confidence and intimacy.

In speaking of the Britons in general, Tacitus furnishes us with an instance of civilization, which is commonly, and most justly, esteemed the criterion of polished so

ciety; namely, the high respect which was paid to the female character; the distinguished rank assigned to the women; and the value, in which their opinion was held, in the most important transactions. He tells us, "that the Britons were wont to "make war under the conduct of females; "and that they placed their wives near the " field of battle, that they might witness the successes of their husbands."* To assign a high importance to females, seems, indeed, to be a common feature in the character of a people, in the earlier stages of society; and it appears not a little singular, that nations revert to this same sentiment, in their most polished periods. Tacitus says, "that the Germans thought, that there re"sided in females, something sacred and prescient; they neither reject," says he, "their counsels, nor neglect their responses."

*Tac. Ann. lib. xiv. c. 34. 35.; De Mor. Germ. c. 8.; and Cæs. Bell. Gall. lib. i. c. 51.

This, too, is a distinguishing feature in the manners described by Ossian; and, to those who have not attended to this remarkable trait in the history of the Celts, it has furnished an argument against the authenticity of these poems. It is certain, that, though the chief elegancies of life, and the most refined charms of modern society, have arisen from the influence of female character and manners, this refinement was altogether unknown to the Greeks and Romans, in their most polished times. In this respect, they were, according to every feeling of modern times, themselves barbarians! It is humiliating to the nature of man to reflect, that their highest attainments, in the elegancies of life, consisted in increasing the modes of luxury, and in multiplying the resources of sensuality. In the high consideration, in which the female character was held amongst the Celts, on the other hand, we are furnished with a pleasing picture, which verifies its

genuineness, by the simplicity of its traits. It is a picture, which is exhibited, on all occasions, by Ossian; and so far is it from suggesting an argument of modern fabrication, that it evidently affords an internal character of truth, and an indelible impression of authenticity, stamped by the just representation of ancient Celtic manners.

In speaking of Caledonia particularly, Tacitus takes notice of ample states beyond the Forth;* and bears honourable testimony to their skill in warlike operations. We find them, previous to the celebrated battle of the Grampians, with the wisest counsels, sending embassies to the surrounding states; forming alliances; and adopting every measure which prudence could suggest, or valour atchieve, in order to repel the impending danger. Above thirty thousand armed men, "besides the daily accession of young men,

* Tac. Agric. c. 25. et seq.