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

574
THE GENUINE HISTORY OF
nich, and not Albanich. But, as Albanlchfigniires
only the Mountaineers, fuch of them as refided
in the Alban or Heights might, and naturally
would, have been denominated Albanich, even if
they had come from Ireland. And all the Ca-
ledonians, as I have jufl fliewn, were not deno-
minated Albanich. Thoie only were fo called
that aftually refidcd in the Highlands. — This
name of Albanich is principally retained by the
vveftern Highlanders at prelent '. And the name
of Eirinich, according to Mr. Macpherfon him-
felf, mull: have been equally the appellation of
thefe Highlanders, as he alledges their country
to have been the ancient lerna, and to be
aflually denominated Eirin by themfelves. The
two names, therefore, appear not as the diftinc-
tlve and oppofed appellations of two different
nations, but are found united together as the
joint appellation of the fame people. The national
deflgnation of Eirinich, which Mr. Macpherfon
denies to have been ever acknowledged
by the Caledonians, appears from himfelf to
be aftually acknowledged by them. And the
name which He confeffes, if it had been
found adopted by the Highlanders, would have
proved the Irifli extra6lion even of the Cale-
donians, is found actually adopted by them, according
to his own reprefcntation, and even by
fuch of them as moft faithfully retain the antient
* Innes. * P. 56 and 150.
6
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appel-