ON THE

SUPERSTITIONS

OF THE

HIGHLANDERS OF SCOTLAND ::

TO WHICH ARE ADDED,

TRANSLATIONS FROM THE GAELIC;

AND

LETTERS CONNECTED WITH THOSE FORMERLY
PUBLISHED.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

BY THE AUTHOR OF " LETTERS FROM THE MOUNTAINS."

A land of apparitions-empty shades.-YOUNG.

I recommend, though at the risk
Of popular disgust, yet boldly still,

The cause of piety, and sacred truth,

And virtue, and those scenes which God ordained
Should best secure them, and promote them most-
Scenes that I love, and with regret perceive.
Forsaken, or through folly not enjoyed.-CowPER.

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN"
SOLD ALSO BY J. HATCHARD, PICCADILLY; MRS COCK,
PALL MALL; AND MANNERS & MILLER, AND

JOHN ANDERSON, EDINBURGH.

ASICA

TILDEN KE

J. Hay & Co. Printers, Edinburgh.

CONTENTS.

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

ESSAY VIII.

Recapitulation.-Prophecy of Ercildown. --

Stream of tradition continually enlarging.

-Manners not to be studied in this period

of Society, but general nature more obvious

and distinctly seen, when advanced beyond

barbarity, yet not arrived at refinement.—

Love of the marvellous inherent in human

nature. Various illustrations,

ESSAY IX.

I

Progress of the Faculties in the infancy of

Knowledge. Imagination first predomi

nant, and latterly subdued.-Ravings of Ab-

surdity not the natural effervescence of high-

wrought Enthusiasm, but of an artificial

attempt to dazzle with the Glaring, and

astonish with the Marvellous.-Power of the

Affections. Danger of their evaporating

in the heated atmosphere of general Socie-

ty.-Danger and difficulty of pouring Light

too suddenly on weak and unpractised or-

gans; and of removing suddenly the abori

gine of the Mountains to a kind of civic

establishment.--Military propensities of the

Highlanders.--Self-denial and Home feel-

ings.--Singular fortitude of certain Victims

to Principle.--Popularity of a lately de-

ceased Chief, &c.

ESSAY X.

70