OSSIAN/ MacPherson, J. (translated by)

THE POEMS OF OSSIAN

      1807. 1807 - Complete in two 300-350pp 16mo volumes with engraved frontispieces and half titles. Original publisher's boards. Slight wear to covers, boards loose, otherwise fine. * One of the notable literary hoaxes of the day. Although Macpherson claimed to be the translator of these ancient Gaelic poems which he collected in travels through the highlands, Samuel Johnson and others felt that to be untrue, believing (as is generally accepted now) that Macpherson composed them himself, throwing in a few ancient names and events. Macpherson was also involved in politics and other worldly affairs, being at one time appointed the British governor of Florida. [Attributes: Hard Cover]