ΤΟ LADY HALL OF LLANOVER. MY LADY, THIS Volume has been published in consequence of the following opinion expressed by DR. PRICHARD on an Essay written by the Author for a National Society, in whose proceedings your Ladyship takes a lively interest: "This Essay contains very valuable matter, which "I trust we shall hereafter see in print." Notwithstanding the deference which I consider due to the sentiments of so eminent an authority, had I committed to the press, without revision, the hastily-written Essay to which he was thus pleased to refer, I might have conformed to the letter, but I should have violated the spirit of this very flattering recommendation. Instead of so doing, I have availed myself of such intervals of leisure as I have been able to command from more imperative engagements in maturing the conclusions embodied in the present volume, of which only a very trifling portion consists of the Essay in which it originated. Independent of the numerous claims to the respect and esteem of your countrymen, which your Ladyship has earned by the warm attachment you have ever evinced for the literature and institutions and for the welfare of the Cymry, there is no other person to whom I could, with equal justice, have dedicated a volume which has been written in accordance with your Ladyship's suggestion and request. For the same reason, in inscribing these pages to your Ladyship, I have the satisfaction of feeling that they will be received not only with the indulgence required by all works which are the fruit of intervals of professional leisurebut also with that patriotic sympathy which you never fail to extend to all investigations prompted by national feelings and directed to subjects of national interest. I have the honour to remain, Your Ladyship's Very faithful and obedient servant, THE AUTHOR. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. ON THE CONNEXION OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF THIS WORK Interpretation of the passage commented on by Grotius. Mr. Lyell's PAGE xiii ON THE EVIDENCE FURNISHED BY A COMPARISON OF THEIR LANGUAGES OF THE ORIGINAL UNITY OF THE VARIOUS NATIONS OF THE CONTINENTS OF ASIA, Absolute Identity of the Languages of the Four Continents when compared collectively. Illustrations from the Names of the Gods of Egypt, Greece, Italy, and India, showing the Origin of Idolatry. ON THE DIFFERENCES WHICH DISTINGUISH INDIVIDUAL LANGUAGES OF THE FOUR CONTINENTS. SECTION I.-These differences principally caused by the abandon- ment, 1, of the different Synonymes; 2, of different meanings SECTION II.-On the Differences between the Celtic and Gothic Classes of Languages. The Celtic and Gothic differ almost totally in the most Common Words. Celtic and Gothic words identical with Persian Synonymes SECTION III.-On the Changes which have taken place in the English Language. Effect of the Norman Conquest, as a Cause of these Changes exaggerated. Dr. Johnson's Opinion. Sir Walter Scott's. Speech of "Wamba" in Ivanhoe. Some of the most important Changes have occurred since the time of Chaucer. The modern English, the Provincial Dialects of Lancashire and other English Counties, and the Lowland |