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The genuine history of the Britons asserted against Mr. Macpherson ...

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THE BRITONS ASSERTED. 209<br />

aiTerted, Sec, fo here he attempts to overthrow<br />

his authority by pointing out feveral miflakes<br />

in him.<br />

P. 121—122. " Whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> IriOi Scots ob-<br />

'^ tained fettlements <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pifts by force or fa-<br />

*' vour was a point which Bede could not deter-<br />

" mine. He was however informed that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

" were called Dalreudini, from <strong>the</strong>ir illuilrious<br />

" leader Reuda, and from <strong>the</strong> GaUic word Deal,<br />

" which, according to <strong>the</strong> venerable writer,<br />

*^ fignlfied a portion or divifion <strong>of</strong> a country.<br />

" (—It is to be obferved that Deal does not fig-<br />

*' nify a portion or divifion)."<br />

This, <strong>the</strong> fird argument againfl Bede, has been<br />

equally urged with ano<strong>the</strong>r view by Dr. Mac-<br />

pherfon in <strong>the</strong> Critical Differtations K But, even<br />

if it be jufl, it is <strong>of</strong> no weigiit againfl <strong>the</strong> autho-<br />

rity <strong>of</strong> Bede. He might be a faithful hiflorian,<br />

and yet a very indifferent linguift. And he might<br />

be very au<strong>the</strong>ntic in his account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Irifli mi-<br />

gration into Caledonia, and yet be miftaken in his<br />

interpretation <strong>of</strong> an Irifh or Caledonian Vv^ord.<br />

What, however, Ihall we fay to <strong>the</strong>fe criticks in<br />

' P. S3'<br />

P <strong>the</strong>

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