Celtic. But in order to obtain a sound and deep knowledge of the general and discriminative character in the Celtic, we should compare all the dialects together."* Fortunately all these dialects have at last been once compared, and that by Dr Murray, who, not being himself a Celt, will not be suspected of undue partiality to any one of them. This comparison, it is true, must have been pursued under some disadvantages from the paucity of manuscripts and comparatively modern character of the Irish writing yet brought into view. But still the testimony of a scholar so eminent, will probably secure, for the long-neglected Native Irish, a portion of that respect and veneration with which every thing at once ancient and useful ought to be regarded. The length to which Dr Murray had gone in such investigations, must increase the regret for his premature decease; but the progress he had already made, although remaining open to future corrections, will probably be found of the highest value. After carefully examining the whole vocabularies and grammatical structure of the Teutonic dialects, after comparing these with the corresponding parts in the Greek and Latin, he also compared the Celtic dialects with one another, and with all those languages already mentioned. Although he found the Teutonic to be the least corrupted and most original of all, he says, that the Celtic and Finnish display the most ancient signification of words," and that the Celtic in particular "possesses an unrivalled and striking originality in its words, a resemblance to the oldest varieties of language, and internal evidence that it is derived from the earliest speech of Europe.' So great indeed was the assistance thus afforded to him in his researches, that he elsewhere says,-" I am almost inclined to assert, that without a knowledge of this language, no man can make much progress in studying the philological history of Europe." 66 --- It was not likely that the comparative antiquity of the Irish should escape the notice of such a man, after such an investigation. This he carefully studied, and has repeatedly noticed. To him, at least, the inhabitants of Ireland appeared to have "spoken from the first ages a dialect of the Celtic peculiar to themselves," which is to be distinguished from the British or Cymraig of Wales and the continental *Davies' Celtic Researches, p. 233, 234. Although his researches are much injured by his imagination, he has contributed to gain for the Welsh remains more attention than they had been accustomed to receive. were, varieties, by a smaller number of words coinciding with the Teutonic, and by an indolent and soft species of pronunciation, which has extended itself over the whole vocabulary."-" The allies of the German Cimbri and Teutones he says, "not Celts of the Irish division. That primitive race had been expelled from the continent, a few tribes only excepted, before the dawn of history. As one proof of this, their ancient written language indicates, by form and inflection, their long and early separation from the parent, as well as from every other stock." Other authorities, to the same effect, might be added, were the writer at all solicitous on this point: though it is not many years since it would have been hazardous to the reputation of any author to have asserted, that, in point of antiquity, the Irish tongue would ultimately be placed at the head of all the dialects in the western world. The more recent investigations of the most learned and impartial philologists seem to be verging to this opinion: and it only remains to be seen whether historical research, patiently and impartially pursued, will not lead to the same conclusion. Whatever opinion may be formed by any man with regard to the substance or the particulars mentioned in this Appendix, it is cheering to think that for Ireland a better day has begun to dawn. Her native language, long unjustly and foolishly reprobated, is gradually rising in importance even in a literary point of view. After a long and dreary night, a numerous body of our fellow-subjects come before us,-in want of the very means of improvement which have given to Britain whatever superiority she now enjoys above the nations around her, and many circumstances unite in saying, that our duty toward them is as imperative as it is manifest. A language in itself so expressive and copious, spoken at this hour by a population so large, in a country of such importance to the whole kingdom, must of necessity be cultivated and taught. Independently of its necessity as the only effectual instrument of immediate and permament moral improvement in so many parts of Ireland, it is an ancient record, which, when properly regarded, will lend its aid in unfolding antiquity, and in resolving at least some of the mysteries of general philology. 270 LINES Written by a Friend, after perusing the Second Edition of THE PRECEDING HISTORY. Erin mavournein! oh, when wilt thou rise From the slumber of death which has bound thee? And strangers, too listless, have long been thy lords, Erin mavournein! the day-star shall shine, Erin mavournein! the bosoms that mourn To thee shall the triumph be given, INDEX. AGED Irish from 70 to 100 Years, Aldhelm, taught by an Irishman Alfred, the Northumbrian King, in Ireland Antwerp, the Irish College of, Armagh, ancient College of, burnt and repeatedly pillaged Bacon's (Lord) advice respecting Ireland Basque, a mixed language, but Celtic Exertions in Trinity College in Kilmore and Cavan in translating the Scriptures Page 204 80 16, 17 16 81 72 11 99 263 261 34 34. 36 35. 101 37. 102 37 38. 101 39-42 44, 45 52 37 107 53 199, 200 85 86 47-56 51-54 26 Exertions in publishing the Irish Scriptures opposition to Bedell Burke's (Edmund) interest in Irish MSS. Building, not one in all Ireland dedicated to the ministry of the word in the Irish tongue, Charlemagne employed Irish Teachers Connaught, Irish districts of, Connellan, Mr. Thaddeus, the individual referred to Cornish Dialect, or Lloegrian Desire for Education in Ireland Education through the medium of Irish -, power of, limited, in every Language Elizabeth, Q. sends over Irish types, nothing more English spoken, but very partially understood Schools in the Highlands ditto Erasmus, the wish of, for the Irish Extent of the Irish Language Fitzralph, the predecessor of Wickliffe French Schools in England abortive Highlanders, Scots, in Ireland 162 137. 215 137.214 198 119-139 23-27 157 236 192, 193 151. 179. 207 179, 180 peculiar obligations of, towards Ireland Hildesley, Dr Mark, his character and exertions Ignorance in a Family, evils of, not the only evil to be removed Infants in Ireland of 5 Years and under Johnson's (Dr Sam.) interest in Ireland Ireland and Wales contrasted 110, 111 161 159 262 96. 115 110 233 171-174 201, 202 242 204 14 177 189-192 119-139 204 ib. ib. ib. 203 9-71 95. 183 96. 115 98 |