Page:Scotish Descriptive Poems - Leyden (1803).djvu/226



P. 201. The strictures of Hume on the fashionable literature of the 16th century, present us with a curious picture of the manners of that period, which frequently united in the same person the two extremes of rigour of principles, and laxity of conduct. But it was not in the Scotish Lowlands alone, that the votaries of religion condemned with asperity those who betrayed a fondness for romances and amatory poetry. It is curious, that about the same period, a similar system prevailed in the Highlands of Scotland. John Carswell, Bishop of the Isles, in his Preface to his "," or, 1567, declaims vehemently against the Gaelic literati of that age, for being more addicted to their native poetry, than to theological investigations. Having been favoured, by the politeness of his Grace the Duke of Argyle, with the use of the only complete copy of this work known to exist, the editor is enabled to present the public with a correct specimen of the first book printed in the Gaelic language. For the accurate version subjoined to the original, he begs leave to acknowledge his obligation to the Rev. James Macdonald, minister of Anstruther-Wester, Fife. Having