Welsh.Latin.English.Y'sgolscholaschoolY'speliospoliospoilY'spridspiritusspiritY'stadstatusstateY'stodstadiumfurlongThe old Britons however might have borrowed these words from the Romans, during their government ofthe Island; as the English did many of theirs at a later period.The same remark will not apply to the following:Welsh.Latin.Irish.English.GuinvinumfinwineGuylvigilæfeilwatchGurvirfearrmanGuyntventuswindGualvallumwallArmoric.GospervesperfeaskorguesporEng.GuedharweatherGuerthvirtusworthGuylhtwildIn this table, we see the different nations begin the same word with a different consonant. The ancient Latinvwas pronounced as ourw; vinum,winum; hence the Englishwine. So in the following:Latin.English.ViawayVenio, ventumwentVelluswoolVespawaspVolvowallowVolowill[137]That the Welsh should pronouncegu, where we pronouncew, may seem strange; yet such is the fact, and an anatomist will readily assign the reason. The French, in the same manner, usegwhere we write and pronouncew.English.French.WarguerreWarrantgarrantWardgardWiseguiseWileguileWagegageWicketguicketWilliamGuillaumWalesGales, Gaul, Gallia[138]A number at least of the words in the foregoing tables, must have existed in the several languages from the earliest times; and therefore must have been derived from the same stock.In the following words, we trace the common origin of the Greek and Gothic languages.Greek.English.KardiaheartKearKiōhieKaleōhail, callKoilashollowKēdasheed, careKerdashireKerashorn, heraldAxineaxOphrunfrownPurfirePlatusplateXerasfearMignuōmingleEileōheal, hailKairōcheerGonukneeKnixgnatZēteōseekThe reader will find no difficulty in believing these words to be from the same root, when he is told that the Greeks and the northern nations of Europe pronounced with a strong guttural aspirate; and thatkamong the Greeks was often a mere aspirate, likeh. Thus the Romans often pronouncedc; for which reason that letter is often omitted, andhsubstituted inmodern English.Curroandhurryare the same word; and so arecornuandhorn;CarolusandHarold.Greek.Latin.English.'OinosvinumwineDamaōdomotameZeugosjugumyokeUppersuperupperGnoōnoscoknowGinoskocognoscoSome old people still pronounce thekinknow.In the following, the Welsh differ from the Greek in the prepositives or initial mutes; but they are clearly from the same root.Greek.Latin.English.StomasamanmouthIkanosdigonsufficientArkēd'erkebeginningAirōd'uyreyarisePlatunlhydonbroadPapyrunbruynrushesTrekōrhedegrunPetalondalenloaf[139]In the following words, the Welsh are nearer the Greek than the Latin; yet all came from one stock.Greek.Welsh.Latin.English.HeliosheilsolsunHypnoshyn, heppiansomnussleepHalonhalensalsaltHamoloshamalsimilislikeBounosbanmonsmountainKleasklad.Cornish, klaslauspraisePeptopobocoquocookHylehelysylvawoodsKrioskorariesramThese words are incontestibly the same, with mere dialectical variations. All are branches of the same stock, yet neither can claim the honor of being that stock.But the most curious etymological analysis ever exhibited perhaps in any language, is that found in Gebelin's works. Take the following specimens.In the primitive language (of Europe) the monosyllabletar,ter,torortro, for it appeared under these forms, signifiedforce. It was composed oftandarord'ar,roughness,rapidity. Hencetarexpressed the idea of force, with the collateral ideas of violence, rigor, grandeur, &c. Fromtarare derived,taurus, a bull;torrent,target,trunk,truncare, to cut off;terror,trepan,tare,detriment,trancher, to cut;retrench;tardus,tardy,retard,tergum, because things heavy, that require force, were carried upon the back;intrigue, for it implies difficulties;trop, too much,troop,ter,trois, which originally signified a multitude; for many savage nations have names only for the three first numbers;tierce,tres, very;tresses, a braid or plait of hair in three divisions;triangle,tribunal,tribe,attribute,contribute, &c.trident,trillion,trio,trinity,entre,enter, taken from a relation of three objects,onebetweentwo, makes athird; henceinternal,external,travers, across;tradition, passing from one to another;traffic,trahir, to draw;traitor,trepidation,intrepid. Fromtra, between, andes, it is, came the Celtic,treh, a narrow pass, astrait,strict, Fr.etroit,astringent,detroit, strait;distress,strength. The compounds are numerous.Intrinsic,entrails,introduce,extraneous,extravagant,transcendent,transfer,transform,transgress,transact,translate,transmit,transmigrate,transmutation, &c.Paltroonis frompollex, athumb, andtruncare,to cut off; for cowards use to cut their thumbs to avoid service.TEM.Temsignified river, water. Hencetemperoin Latin signified toplunge into water. We to this day say totemper iron or steel.To temper, is to moderate. From this root cometemperance,temperature, and a numerous catalogue of other words. The river Thames derives its name from the same root.VA,to go,radical.Fromva, the Celtic root, we find a multitude of branches in Greek, Latin, English and French. It is anonomatope, a word borrowed from the sound of our feet in walking. Its derivatives are,wade,evade,evasion,invade,invasion,venio, Lat. andvenir, Fr. to come;veniaandvenial,[140]adventure,avenue,convenio,convenience,convention,covenantperhaps,contravene,intervene,invent,prevent,province,[141]advance,via,way,voyage,convoy,convey,obviate,vex,invective,vein, a way for the blood;voiture, Fr. for a load to carry;evitare, Lat. to shun;inevitable.To these derivatives, I will just add a comparative view of the verbshaveandbein several languages.HAVE.English.Latin.French.Germ.Spanish.Portuguese.I havehabeoai[142]habeheéyThou hasthabesashastashasHe hashabetahatashaWe havehabemusavonshabenavemoshamos, avemosYou havehabetisavezhabetaveiséys, evéysThey havehabentonthabenanhamThe Substantive VerbBE.English.Latin.French.Germ.Spanish.Portuguese.I am, besumsuisbinestoy & soysou, estouThou art, beestesesbistestas, ereses, estasHe is, beestestest-esestá, eshe, estaWe are, besumussommessindestamos, somossomos, estamosYou are, beestisêtesseydestais, soissoys, estoysThey are, besuntsontsindestan, sonsam, estamIt is indisputable thathave, in all these languages, is from the same root. But there seem to have been anciently two substantive verbs, or perhaps three, from which modern nations have borrowed; viz, the Greek ειναι or ειμι, or the Latinesse, from which most of the foregoing are derived; the Teutonicbeon, whence the Germans have theirbinandbist, and the English theirbeandbeest; and an old Gothic or Teutonic word,weorthan, whence the Danes have derived theirvœrer, and the English and Germans theirwereandwerden. In the old English phrase, "woeworththe day," we see the same verb.Having stated my reasons and authorities for believing all the European languages descended from one parent tongue, I will here subjoin the Lord's Prayer in several languages of Celtic and Gothic origin. The affinity between all the branches of the Gothic is very visible; the affinity likewise between all the branches of the Celtic is very obvious, except the ancient Irish. The Cantabrian and Lapland tongues have little resemblance to either of the stocks or their branches.GOTHIC.||+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+| | || | |1.Old Saxon, 2.Francic, 3.Cimbric,orAnglo-Saxon. orFranco-Theotisc. orOld Icelandic.| | || | || {1.English.+--1.German, +--1.Icelandic.+--{2.Broad, | orHigh Dutch(proper.) +--2.Norwegian,| or LowlandScotch. +--2.German| orNorse.| | ofSwabia. +--3.Danish.| {3.Belgic, +--3.Swiss.+--4.Swedish.+--{ orLow Dutch(proper.)| {4.Frisic,| { or Friezeland Tongue.Very little affinity is discoverable between the original Gothic and Celtic or their derivatives; yet this is not a proof that they wereab originedistinct languages; for the words in this prayer are few, and it has been proved that there are many words common to both those ancient tongues.CELTIC.|+----------------+----------------+| |+------------+---------+ || | |1.The Ancient2.The Ancient3.The AncientGAULISH.BRITISH.IRISH.| | || | |No Language fully+--1.WELSH.+--1.IRISH.derived from this is+--2.AMORICAN,+--2.ERSE, ornow extant, unless it|or Bas Bretagne.|Highland Scotch.be the AMORICAN,+--3.CORNISH.+--3.MANKS, or a Languagewhich yet the best|of the Isle of Man.authorities derivefrom the AncientBritish, orCYMRAEG.Specimensof theGothic Languages.The ancientGothicofUlphilas.Atta unsar thu in himinam. 1. Veihnai namo thein. 2. Quimai thiudinassus theins. 3. Vairthai vilja theins, sue in himina, jah ana airthai. 4. Hlaif unsarana thana sinteinan gif uns himmadaga. 5. Jah aflet uns thatei sculans sijaima sua sue jah veis afletam thaim skulam unsaraim. 6. Jah ni bringais uns in fraistubnjai. 7. Ak lausei uns af thamma ubilin. Amen.[From Chamberlayn'sOratio Dominica in diversas omnium fere Gentium Linguas versa, &c.]TheAncient Languagesderived from theGothic.I.Anglo Saxon.Uren Fader, thic arth in heofnas. 1. Sie gehalgud thin noma. 2. To cymeth thin ryc. 3. Sie thin willa sue is in heofnas, and in eortho. 4. Uren hlaf oferwistlic sel us to daeg. 5. And forgefe us scylda urna, sue we forgefan scyldgum urum. 6. And no inlead usig in custnung. 7. Ah gefriguiichfrom ftie. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 56]II.Franco Theotisc.Fater unser thu thar bist in himile. 1. Si geheilagot thin namo. 2. Queme thin rihhi. 3. Si thin willo, so her in himile ist o si her in erdu. 4. Unsar brot tagalihhaz gib uns huitu. 5. Inti furlaz uns nusara sculdi so uuir furlazames unsaron sculdigon. 6. Inti ni gileitest unsih in costunga. 7. Uzouh arlosi unsi fon ubile. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 61.]III.Cimbric, or oldIcelandic.Fader uor, som est i himlum. 1. Halgad warde thit nama. 2. Tilkomme thitt rikie. 3. Skie thin vilie, so som i himmalam, so och po iordannè. 4. Wort dachlicha brodh gif os i dagh. 5. Ogh forlat os uora skuldar, so som ogh vi forlate them os skildighe are. 6. Ogh inled os ikkie i fretalsam. 7. Utan frels os ifra ondo. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 54]Specimensof theCeltic Languages.[** hand pointing right]I am not able to produce any specimen of theCeltic, at least any version of the Lord's Prayer, which can be opposed in point of antiquity to theGothicspecimen fromUlphilas, who flourished A.D. 365.—As theCeltswere settled in these countries long before theGoths, and were exposed to various revolutions before their arrival, their language has, as might be expected, undergone greater and earlier changes than theGothic; so that no specimen of theold originalCelticis I believe, now to be found.TheAncient Languagesderived from theCeltic.I.Anc. Gaulish.Of this language I cannot find any specimen which can be depended on.II.Cambrian, orAncient British.Eyen Taadrhuvn wyt yn y neofoedodd.1.Santeiddieryr henvu tau.2.Devedy dyrnas dau. 3.Guneler dy wollysar ryddayar megis agyn y nefi.4.Eyn barabeunyddvul dyro inniheddivu. 5.Ammaddeuynny eyn deledion,megis ag i maddevu indeledvvir ninaw.6.Agna thowys ni inbrofedigaeth. 7.Namynmyn gwared ni rhagdrug. Amen.[From Chamberl. p. 47.]III.Ancient Irish, orGaedhlig.Our Narme ataar neamb. 1.Beanicha tainin.2.Godiga de riogda. 3.Go denta du hoill airtalm in marte ar neamb.4.Tabair deimaniugh ar naranlimbali. 5.Augusmai duin ar fiachamhail maamhiaar fiacha. 6.Naleigsin amaribh. 7.Achsaarsa sin o olch.Amen.[From Dr. Anth. Raymond's Introduction to the History of Ireland, p. 2, 3, &c.][143]Specimensof theGothic Languages.I. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theOLD SAXON.I.English.Our Father, which art in heaven. 1. Hallowed be thy name. 2. Thykingdom come. 3. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. 4. Give us this day, our daily bread. 5. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 6. And lead us not into temptation. 7. But deliver us from evil. Amen.[From the English Testament.]II.Broad Scotch.Ure Fader, whilk art in hevin. 1. Hallouit be thy naim. 2. Thy kingdum cum. 3. Thy wull be dun in airth, as it is in hevin. 4. Gie uss this day ure daily breid. 5. And forgive uss ure debts, ass we forgien ure debtouris. 6. And leid uss na' into temptation. 7. Bot deliver uss frae evil. Amen.[From a Scotch Gentleman.]III.Low Dutch, orBelgic.Onse Vader, die daer zijt in de hemelen. 1. Uwen naem worde gheheylight. 2. U rijcke kome. 3. Uwen wille gheschiede op der aerden, gelijck in den hemel. 4. Onse dagelijck broodt gheest ons heden. 5. Ende vergheeft ons onse schulden, ghelijck wy oock onse schuldenaren vergeven. 6. Ende en leyt ons niet in Versoeckinge. 7. Maer verlost ons vanden boosen. Amen.[From the New Test. in Dutch.]IV.Frisic, orFriezeland Tongue.Ws Haita duu deritu biste yne hymil. 1. Dyn name wird heiligt. 2. Dyn rick tokomme. 3. Dyn wille moet schoen, opt yrtyck as yne hymile. 4. Ws dielix bræ jov ws jwed. 5. In verjou ws, ws schylden, as vejac ws schyldnirs. 6. In lied ws nact in versieking. 7. Din fry ws vin it quæd. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 68.]Specimensof theCeltic Languages.II. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT BRITISH,orCYMRAEG.I.Welsh, orCymraeg.Ein Tâd, yr hwn wyt yn y nefoedd. 1. Sanctieddier dy Enw. 2. Deved dy deyrnas. 3. Bydaed dy ewyllys ar y ddaiar megis y mae yn y nefoedd. 4. Dyro i ni heddyw ein bara beunyddiol. 5. A madde ini ein dyledion fel y maddeuwn ni i'n dyledwyr. 6. Ag nag arwain ni i brofedigaeth. 7. Eithr gwared ni rhag drwg. Amen.[Communicated by a Gentleman of Jesus College, Oxon.]II.Armoric, or Language ofBritannyin France.Hon Tad, pehudij sou en efaou. 1. Da hanou bezet sanctifiet. 2. Devet aornomp da rouantelaez. 3. Da eol bezet graet en douar, eual maz eon en euf. 4. Ró dimp hyziou hon bara pemdeziec. 5. Pardon dimp hon pechedou, eual ma pardonomp da nep pegant ezomp offanczet. 6. Ha na dilaes quet a hanomp en temptation. 7. Hoguen hon diliur diouz drouc. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 51.]III.Cornish.Ny Taz, ez yn neau. 1. Bonegas yw tha hanaw. 2. Tha gwlakoth doaz. 3. Tha bonagath bogweez en nore pocoragen neau. 4. Roe thenyen dythma gon dyth bara givians. 5. Ny gan rabn weary cara ny givians mens. 6. O cabin ledia ny nara idn tentation. 7. Buz dilver ny thart doeg. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 50.]Specimensof theGothic Languages.II. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT GERMAN,orFRANCIC, &c.I.High Dutch, (proper.)Unser Vater in dem Himmel. 1. Dein name werde geheiliget. 2. Deinreich komme. 3. Dein wille geschehe auf erden, wie im himmel. 4. Unser taeglich brodt gib uns heute. 5. Und vergib uns unsere schulden, wie wir unsern schuldigern vergeben. 6. Und fuehre uns nicht in Versuchung. 7. Sondern erloese uns von dem vbel. Amen.[From the common German New Testament, printed at London, 12 mo.]II.High Dutchof theSuevian Dialect.Fatter ausar dear du bischt em hemmal. 1. Gehoyleget wearde dain nam. 2. Zuakomme dain reych. 3. Dain will gschea uff earda as em hemmal. 4. Ausar deglich braud gib as huyt. 5. Und fergiab as ausre schulda, wia wiar fergeaba ausarn schuldigearn. 6. Und fuar as net ind fersuaching. 7. Sondern erlais as fom ibal. Amen.[From Chamberlayn's Oratio Dominica, p. 64.]III.TheSwiss Language.Vatter unser, der du bist in himlen. 1. Geheyligt werd dyn nam. 2. Rukumm uns dijn rijch. 3. Dyn will geschahe, wie im himmel, also auch uff erden. 4. Gib uns hut unser taglich brot. 5. Und vergib uns unsere schulden, wie anch wir vergaben unsern schulderen. 6. Und fuhr uns nicht in versuchnyss. 7. Sunder erlos uns von dem bosen. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 65.]Specimensof theCeltic Languages.III. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT IRISH.I.Irish, orGaidhlig.Ar nathair atá ar neamh. 1. Naomhthar hainm. 2. Tigeadh do riaghachd. 3. Deuntar do thoil ar an ttalámh, mar do nithear ar neamh. 4. Ar naràn laéathamhail tabhair dhúinn a niu. 5. Agus maith dhúinn ar bhfiacha, mar mhaithmidne dar bhféitheamhnuibh fein. 6. Agus na léig sinn a ccathughadh. 7. Achd sáor sinn o olc. Amen.[From Bishop Bedel's Irish Bible. Lond. 1690. 8 vo.]II.Erse, orGaidhlig Albannaich.Ar n' Athair ata air neamh. 1. Gu naomhaichear t tinm. 2. Tigeadh do rioghachd. 3. Deanthar do thoil air an ta amh mar a nithear air neamb. 4. Tabhair dhuinn an diu ar n aran laitheill. 5. Agus maith dhuinn ar fiacha amhuill mar mhaithmid d'ar luehd-fiach-aibh.[144]6. Agus na leig am buaireadh sinn. 7. Ach saor sinn o olc. Amen.[From the New Testament in the Erse Language.]III.Manks, or Language of theIsle of Man.Ayr ain, t'ayns niau. 1. Casherick dy row dt'ennym. 2. Dy jig dty reeriaught. 3. Dt'aigney dy row jeant er y thalao, myr te ayns niau. 4. Cur d oin nyn arran jiu as gaghlaa. 5. As leih dooin nyn loghtyn, nyr ta shin leih dauesyn tu jannoo loghtyn nyn' oc. 6. As ny leeid shin ayns miolagh. 7. Agh livrey shin veih olk. Amen.[From the Liturgy in Manks, printed at London, 1765. 8 vo.]Specimensof theGothic Languages.III. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT SCANDINAVIAN,orICELANDIC,called (by some writers)Cimbric,orCimbro Gothic.I.Icelandic.Fader vor thu som ert a himnum. 1.Helgest thitt nafn. 2. Tilkome thitt riike. 3. Verde thinn vilie, so a jordu, sem a himne. 4. Gieff thu oss i dag vort daglegt braud. 5. Og fiergieff oss vorar skulder, so sem vier fierergiefum vorum skuldinautum. 6. Og inleid oss ecke i freistne. 7. Heldr frelsa thu oss fra illu. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 70.]II.Norwegian, orNorse.Wor Fader du som est y himmelen. 1. Gehailiget woare dit nafn. 2. Tilkomma os riga dit. 3. Din wilia geskia paa iorden, som handt er udi himmelen. 4. Giff oss y tag wort dagliga brouta. 5. Och forlaet os wort skioldt, som wy forlata wora skioldon. 6. Och lad os icke homma voi fristelse. 7. Man frals os fra onet. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 71.]III.Danish.Vor Fader i himmelen. 1. Helligt vorde dit navn. 2. Tilkomme dit rige. 3. Vorde din villie, paa iorden som i himmelen. 4. Giff oss i dag vort daglige bred. 5. Oc forlad oss vor skyld, som wi forlade vore skyldener. 6. Oc leede oss icke i fristelse. 7. Men frels os fra ont. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 70.]IV.Swedish.Fader war som ast i himmelen. 3. Helgat warde titt nampn. 2. Till komme titt ricke. 3. Skei tin willie saa paa lordenne, som i himmelen. 4. Wart dagliga brod giff oss i dagh. 5. Och forlat os wara skulder sa som ock wi forlaten them oss skildege aro. 6. Och inleed oss icke i frestelse. 7. Ut an frals oss i fra ondo. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 70.]Specimensof theFinnandLapland Tongues.I.TheFinnLanguage.Isa meidan joca olet taiwassa. 1. Pyhitetty olcon sinum nimes. 2. Lahes tulcon sinum waldacundas. 3. Olcon sinun tahtos niin maase cuin taiwasa. 4. Anna meile tanapaiwana meidan joca paiwainen leipam. 5. Sa anna meille meidan syndim andexi nuncuin mekin andex annam meidan welwottistem. 6. Ja ala johdata meita kiusauxen. 7. Mutta paasta meita pahasta. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 82.]II.TheLaplandTongue.Atka mijam juco lee almensisne. 1. Ailis ziaddai tu nam. 2. Zweigubatta tu ryki. 3. Ziaddus tu willio. naukuchte almesne nau ei edna mannal. 4. Wadde mijai udni mijan fært pæfwen laibebm. 5. Jah andagasloite mi jemijan suddoid, naukuchte mije andagasloitebt kudi mije welgogas lien. 6. Jah sissalaidi mijabni. 7. Æle tocko kæckzællebma pahast. Amen.[From Chamberlayn, p. 83.]ASpecimenof theCantabrianorBiscayan Language,still preserved inSpain.TheBasque.Gure Aita kerutéan caréna. 1. Erabilbedi sainduqui çure jcena. 2. Ethorbedi çure eressuma. 3. Eguinbedi çure borondatea çerú an becala turre'an ore. 4. Emandieçagucu egun gure egunorozco oguia. 5. Eta barkhadietcatgutçu gure çorrac gucere gure coidunei barkhatcendiotçaguten becala. 6. Eta ezgaitçatcu utc tentacionétan erortcerat. 7. Aitcitic beguiragaitcatçu gaite gucietaric. Halabiz.[From Chamberlayn, p. 44.]Here we find many of the same words, with small variations, in all the languages of Teutonic origin. It is however observable that the English have softened some words, by omitting the gutturals. Thusgehalgudin the Anglo-Saxon;geheiligetin the German;gheheylightin the Belgic; andgeheyligtin the Swiss, are softened intohallowedin English;taeglichanddagelijchtbecomedaily. Similar omissions run thro the language. Thusnagel,hagelhave become in Englishnailandhail. Theghinmight,nightare still pronounced by the Scotch; but the English saymite,nite.[145]The affinity between the ancient British, the modern Welsh, and the Armoric, is very obvious; but in the latter, we find a few Latin or French words—pardon,peichdon,deliur, which we should naturally expect from the vicinity of Britanny to the French language.I have been at the pains to examin a great number of radical words in the Danish, and find the most of them, amounting to more than four hundred, very little different from the English. Where the English writew, the Danes writev;vindforwind. Where the English writechard, the Danes, with more judgement, writek;klover,kan,kommer, forcleave,can,come. Where the English writewh, the Danes, with propriety, writehv,vhaving the sound ofw; ashvad,hvi,hval;what,why,whole.The words, common to the Danish and English, are mostly monosyllables.As a corroborating proof of the Eastern origin of the Goths, authors produce the resemblance between their religious opinions and the notions of the Magi. The Scandinavian mythology is preserved in the EDDA, written by Snorro Sturleson, an Icelander, a learned judge and first magistrate in the 12th century.In this there are many notions which seem to bear a great analogy to the doctrines revealed in the Bible.It is represented in the Edda, that before creation, "all was one vast abyss;" an idea not unlike the scripture account of what we usually callchaos.—"ThatSurtur, the black, shall come at the end of the world, vanquish the gods and give up the universe to the flames"—a crude notion of the conflagration.—"ThatYmerthe first man or great giant, slept and fell into a sweat, and from the pit of his left arm were born male and female;" this has some resemblance to the scripture account of the creation of the woman—"Thatthe sons ofBoreslew the giantYmer, and all the giants of the frost were drowned, except Bengelmer, who was saved in his bark;" in which notion we observe some tradition of the deluge.The opinion that the world will be destroyed by fire seems to have been universal among the Gothic nations. The descriptions of that catastrophe resemble those of the Stoics and of the ancient Magi and Zoroaster, from whom the idea was probably taken. These descriptions all agree with the scripture representation of that event in the material circumstances.The doctrine of a future state, or of a renovation of the world, was part of the Gothic system. It was taught by Zamolxis, the celebrated Druid of the Getæ and Scythians.—— Herod. Lib. 4. § 95.In this same Edda, we also find the origin of some customs still remaining among the descendants of the northern nations. The drinking of bumpers is not an invention of modern bacchanals; it is mentioned, fable 25, of the Edda, where it is said Thor challenged one to a drinking match.The custom of hanging up bushes on Christmas eve is derived probably from the superstitious veneration paid to the Misseltoe by the Scandinavians.Indeed the festival of Christmas was grafted upon an ancient pagan feast, celebrated at the winter solstice, in honour of the sun and to render the new year propitious. It answered to the Roman Saturnalia, and was probably of as high an origin. The night on which it was observed was calledMother Night, as that which produced the rest; and the feast itself was called by the GothsIuul.—See Mallet's North. Antiq. vol. 1. p. 130. Hence the old wordyeuloryulefor Christmas; a word that is still used, or at least has been used till within a century in Scotland and the north of England. "Yule," says that learned antiquary, Cowel, "in the north parts of England, is used by thecountry people as the name of the feast of our Lord's nativity, usually termedChristmas. The sports used at Christmas, called Christmas Gamboles, they stileYule Games.Yuleis the proper Scotch word for Christmas."——Cowel's Law Dictionary, tit. Yule. The Parliament passed an act for discharging theYule Vacance, which was repealed after the union by stat. George I. cap. 8. The feast was celebrated from time immemorial among the Romans and Goths; the Christians changed its object and name; tho such is the force of custom, that the Gothic name existed in Scotland till lately, and perhaps still exists among the lower ranks of people.From the northern nations also we have the names of the days of the week; or at least of some of them. The ancient Goths devoted particular days to particular deities.TUESDAY wasTyrsdag, from Tyr the God of bravery. It is in the Danish,Tyrsdag, and in the SwedishTisdag.WEDNESDAY isWoden'sdag, fromWoden, a celebrated warrior deified. In Icelandic, it isWonsdag; in Swedish,Odinsdag; in Dutch,Woensdag; in Anglo Saxon,Wodensdag.THURSDAY is fromThor, god of the air. In Danish it isThorsdag; in SwedishTorsdag.FRIDAY is fromFrea, the earth and goddess of love, answering to the Venus of the Greeks. In some languages it is calledFreytag.—— See Mallet's North. Antiquities.I will just add, it is a weighty argument in favor of the truth of the Scripture history, and of the opinion here advanced of the common origin of languages, that in all the ancient and modern European alphabets, the letters are of a similarfigure and power, and arranged nearly in the same order.[146]The true Greek letters were only the Cadmean letters reversed: This reversal took place early in Greece, when the ancient Phenician and Hebrew order of writing from right to left, was changed for the modern order, which is from left to right. The Hebrew or Phenician Alphabet was clearly the parent of the Greek, Roman and Gothic.[B],page52.The reader will please to accept the following specimen, which will convey an idea of the whole.Punic.Yth al o nim ua lonuth! sicorathissi me com syth chim lach chunyth mum ys tyal myethi barii im schi.Irish.Iath all o nimh uath lonnaithe! socruidhse me com sith chimi lach chuinigh! muini istoil miocht beiridh iar mo scith.English.Omnipotent, much dreaded Deity of this country! asswage my troubled mind! Thou, the support of feeble captives! being now exhausted with fatigue, of thy free will, guide me to my children.In this example the affinity between the Punic and Irish is striking; and the same runs thro the whole speech.That Ireland received colonies from Spain or Carthage is probable from other circumstances. The Irish historians say their ancestors received letters from the Phenicians; and the Irish language was calledBearni Feni, the Phenician tongue.Cadizin Spain was first settled by Phenicians; andcadasin Irish signifiesfriendship.The Irish seems to be a compound ofCelticandPunic;and if Ireland was peopled originally from Carthage, and received colonies from thence, the event must have been subsequent to the first Punic war; for this was the period when the Carthaginians adopted the Roman letters, and there is no inscription in Ireland in the Phenician character.The Hebrew was the root of the Phenician and the Punic. The Maltese is evidently a branch of the Punic; for it approaches nearer to the Hebrew and Chaldaic, than to the Arabic. For this assertion we have the authority ofM. Maius, professor of the Greek and oriental languages in the Ludovician university of Giessen, who had his accounts fromRibier, a missionary Jesuit and native of Malta. This fact will account for the correspondence between the Irish and the Maltese, in several particulars. In Maltese,AllasignifiesGod; in Irish,Allismighty.Baolin Maltese, andBelorBalin Irish, signifyChief DeityorSun. In Maltese,orduisendorsummit; in Irish,ard,arda, arehill,high. These words are probably from the same root as the Latinarduus, and the Englishhard, implying labor.Bandlain Maltese, isa cord; in Irish,bannis suspension. In Maltese,galais the sail of a ship; and in Irish,galis a gale of wind. These Maltese words are taken from a Punica Maltese Dictionary, annexed to a treatise, Della lingua Punica presentamente usitate da Maltese, by G. Pietro Francisco Agius de Solandas.There is also a correspondence between the Irish and Punic, in the variation of their nouns, as may be observed in the following example.
Welsh.Latin.English.Y'sgolscholaschoolY'speliospoliospoilY'spridspiritusspiritY'stadstatusstateY'stodstadiumfurlong
The old Britons however might have borrowed these words from the Romans, during their government ofthe Island; as the English did many of theirs at a later period.
The same remark will not apply to the following:
Welsh.Latin.Irish.English.GuinvinumfinwineGuylvigilæfeilwatchGurvirfearrmanGuyntventuswindGualvallumwallArmoric.GospervesperfeaskorguesporEng.GuedharweatherGuerthvirtusworthGuylhtwild
In this table, we see the different nations begin the same word with a different consonant. The ancient Latinvwas pronounced as ourw; vinum,winum; hence the Englishwine. So in the following:
Latin.English.ViawayVenio, ventumwentVelluswoolVespawaspVolvowallowVolowill[137]
That the Welsh should pronouncegu, where we pronouncew, may seem strange; yet such is the fact, and an anatomist will readily assign the reason. The French, in the same manner, usegwhere we write and pronouncew.
English.French.WarguerreWarrantgarrantWardgardWiseguiseWileguileWagegageWicketguicketWilliamGuillaumWalesGales, Gaul, Gallia[138]
A number at least of the words in the foregoing tables, must have existed in the several languages from the earliest times; and therefore must have been derived from the same stock.
In the following words, we trace the common origin of the Greek and Gothic languages.
Greek.English.KardiaheartKearKiōhieKaleōhail, callKoilashollowKēdasheed, careKerdashireKerashorn, heraldAxineaxOphrunfrownPurfirePlatusplateXerasfearMignuōmingleEileōheal, hailKairōcheerGonukneeKnixgnatZēteōseek
The reader will find no difficulty in believing these words to be from the same root, when he is told that the Greeks and the northern nations of Europe pronounced with a strong guttural aspirate; and thatkamong the Greeks was often a mere aspirate, likeh. Thus the Romans often pronouncedc; for which reason that letter is often omitted, andhsubstituted inmodern English.Curroandhurryare the same word; and so arecornuandhorn;CarolusandHarold.
Greek.Latin.English.'OinosvinumwineDamaōdomotameZeugosjugumyokeUppersuperupperGnoōnoscoknowGinoskocognosco
Some old people still pronounce thekinknow.
In the following, the Welsh differ from the Greek in the prepositives or initial mutes; but they are clearly from the same root.
Greek.Latin.English.StomasamanmouthIkanosdigonsufficientArkēd'erkebeginningAirōd'uyreyarisePlatunlhydonbroadPapyrunbruynrushesTrekōrhedegrunPetalondalenloaf[139]
In the following words, the Welsh are nearer the Greek than the Latin; yet all came from one stock.
Greek.Welsh.Latin.English.HeliosheilsolsunHypnoshyn, heppiansomnussleepHalonhalensalsaltHamoloshamalsimilislikeBounosbanmonsmountainKleasklad.Cornish, klaslauspraisePeptopobocoquocookHylehelysylvawoodsKrioskorariesram
These words are incontestibly the same, with mere dialectical variations. All are branches of the same stock, yet neither can claim the honor of being that stock.
But the most curious etymological analysis ever exhibited perhaps in any language, is that found in Gebelin's works. Take the following specimens.
In the primitive language (of Europe) the monosyllabletar,ter,torortro, for it appeared under these forms, signifiedforce. It was composed oftandarord'ar,roughness,rapidity. Hencetarexpressed the idea of force, with the collateral ideas of violence, rigor, grandeur, &c. Fromtarare derived,taurus, a bull;torrent,target,trunk,truncare, to cut off;terror,trepan,tare,detriment,trancher, to cut;retrench;tardus,tardy,retard,tergum, because things heavy, that require force, were carried upon the back;intrigue, for it implies difficulties;trop, too much,troop,ter,trois, which originally signified a multitude; for many savage nations have names only for the three first numbers;tierce,tres, very;tresses, a braid or plait of hair in three divisions;triangle,tribunal,tribe,attribute,contribute, &c.trident,trillion,trio,trinity,entre,enter, taken from a relation of three objects,onebetweentwo, makes athird; henceinternal,external,travers, across;tradition, passing from one to another;traffic,trahir, to draw;traitor,trepidation,intrepid. Fromtra, between, andes, it is, came the Celtic,treh, a narrow pass, astrait,strict, Fr.etroit,astringent,detroit, strait;distress,strength. The compounds are numerous.Intrinsic,entrails,introduce,extraneous,extravagant,transcendent,transfer,transform,transgress,transact,translate,transmit,transmigrate,transmutation, &c.
Paltroonis frompollex, athumb, andtruncare,to cut off; for cowards use to cut their thumbs to avoid service.
TEM.
Temsignified river, water. Hencetemperoin Latin signified toplunge into water. We to this day say totemper iron or steel.To temper, is to moderate. From this root cometemperance,temperature, and a numerous catalogue of other words. The river Thames derives its name from the same root.
VA,to go,radical.
Fromva, the Celtic root, we find a multitude of branches in Greek, Latin, English and French. It is anonomatope, a word borrowed from the sound of our feet in walking. Its derivatives are,wade,evade,evasion,invade,invasion,venio, Lat. andvenir, Fr. to come;veniaandvenial,[140]adventure,avenue,convenio,convenience,convention,covenantperhaps,contravene,intervene,invent,prevent,province,[141]advance,via,way,voyage,convoy,convey,obviate,vex,invective,vein, a way for the blood;voiture, Fr. for a load to carry;evitare, Lat. to shun;inevitable.
To these derivatives, I will just add a comparative view of the verbshaveandbein several languages.
HAVE.
English.Latin.French.Germ.Spanish.Portuguese.I havehabeoai[142]habeheéyThou hasthabesashastashasHe hashabetahatashaWe havehabemusavonshabenavemoshamos, avemosYou havehabetisavezhabetaveiséys, evéysThey havehabentonthabenanham
The Substantive VerbBE.
English.Latin.French.Germ.Spanish.Portuguese.I am, besumsuisbinestoy & soysou, estouThou art, beestesesbistestas, ereses, estasHe is, beestestest-esestá, eshe, estaWe are, besumussommessindestamos, somossomos, estamosYou are, beestisêtesseydestais, soissoys, estoysThey are, besuntsontsindestan, sonsam, estam
It is indisputable thathave, in all these languages, is from the same root. But there seem to have been anciently two substantive verbs, or perhaps three, from which modern nations have borrowed; viz, the Greek ειναι or ειμι, or the Latinesse, from which most of the foregoing are derived; the Teutonicbeon, whence the Germans have theirbinandbist, and the English theirbeandbeest; and an old Gothic or Teutonic word,weorthan, whence the Danes have derived theirvœrer, and the English and Germans theirwereandwerden. In the old English phrase, "woeworththe day," we see the same verb.
Having stated my reasons and authorities for believing all the European languages descended from one parent tongue, I will here subjoin the Lord's Prayer in several languages of Celtic and Gothic origin. The affinity between all the branches of the Gothic is very visible; the affinity likewise between all the branches of the Celtic is very obvious, except the ancient Irish. The Cantabrian and Lapland tongues have little resemblance to either of the stocks or their branches.
GOTHIC.||+-----------------------------+-----------------------------+| | || | |1.Old Saxon, 2.Francic, 3.Cimbric,orAnglo-Saxon. orFranco-Theotisc. orOld Icelandic.| | || | || {1.English.+--1.German, +--1.Icelandic.+--{2.Broad, | orHigh Dutch(proper.) +--2.Norwegian,| or LowlandScotch. +--2.German| orNorse.| | ofSwabia. +--3.Danish.| {3.Belgic, +--3.Swiss.+--4.Swedish.+--{ orLow Dutch(proper.)| {4.Frisic,| { or Friezeland Tongue.
Very little affinity is discoverable between the original Gothic and Celtic or their derivatives; yet this is not a proof that they wereab originedistinct languages; for the words in this prayer are few, and it has been proved that there are many words common to both those ancient tongues.
CELTIC.|+----------------+----------------+| |+------------+---------+ || | |1.The Ancient2.The Ancient3.The AncientGAULISH.BRITISH.IRISH.| | || | |No Language fully+--1.WELSH.+--1.IRISH.derived from this is+--2.AMORICAN,+--2.ERSE, ornow extant, unless it|or Bas Bretagne.|Highland Scotch.be the AMORICAN,+--3.CORNISH.+--3.MANKS, or a Languagewhich yet the best|of the Isle of Man.authorities derivefrom the AncientBritish, orCYMRAEG.
The ancientGothicofUlphilas.
Atta unsar thu in himinam. 1. Veihnai namo thein. 2. Quimai thiudinassus theins. 3. Vairthai vilja theins, sue in himina, jah ana airthai. 4. Hlaif unsarana thana sinteinan gif uns himmadaga. 5. Jah aflet uns thatei sculans sijaima sua sue jah veis afletam thaim skulam unsaraim. 6. Jah ni bringais uns in fraistubnjai. 7. Ak lausei uns af thamma ubilin. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn'sOratio Dominica in diversas omnium fere Gentium Linguas versa, &c.]
TheAncient Languagesderived from theGothic.
I.
Anglo Saxon.
Uren Fader, thic arth in heofnas. 1. Sie gehalgud thin noma. 2. To cymeth thin ryc. 3. Sie thin willa sue is in heofnas, and in eortho. 4. Uren hlaf oferwistlic sel us to daeg. 5. And forgefe us scylda urna, sue we forgefan scyldgum urum. 6. And no inlead usig in custnung. 7. Ah gefriguiichfrom ftie. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 56]
II.
Franco Theotisc.
Fater unser thu thar bist in himile. 1. Si geheilagot thin namo. 2. Queme thin rihhi. 3. Si thin willo, so her in himile ist o si her in erdu. 4. Unsar brot tagalihhaz gib uns huitu. 5. Inti furlaz uns nusara sculdi so uuir furlazames unsaron sculdigon. 6. Inti ni gileitest unsih in costunga. 7. Uzouh arlosi unsi fon ubile. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 61.]
III.
Cimbric, or oldIcelandic.
Fader uor, som est i himlum. 1. Halgad warde thit nama. 2. Tilkomme thitt rikie. 3. Skie thin vilie, so som i himmalam, so och po iordannè. 4. Wort dachlicha brodh gif os i dagh. 5. Ogh forlat os uora skuldar, so som ogh vi forlate them os skildighe are. 6. Ogh inled os ikkie i fretalsam. 7. Utan frels os ifra ondo. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 54]
[** hand pointing right]I am not able to produce any specimen of theCeltic, at least any version of the Lord's Prayer, which can be opposed in point of antiquity to theGothicspecimen fromUlphilas, who flourished A.D. 365.—As theCeltswere settled in these countries long before theGoths, and were exposed to various revolutions before their arrival, their language has, as might be expected, undergone greater and earlier changes than theGothic; so that no specimen of theold originalCelticis I believe, now to be found.
TheAncient Languagesderived from theCeltic.
I.
Anc. Gaulish.
Of this language I cannot find any specimen which can be depended on.
II.
Cambrian, orAncient British.
Eyen Taadrhuvn wyt yn y neofoedodd.1.Santeiddieryr henvu tau.2.Devedy dyrnas dau. 3.Guneler dy wollysar ryddayar megis agyn y nefi.4.Eyn barabeunyddvul dyro inniheddivu. 5.Ammaddeuynny eyn deledion,megis ag i maddevu indeledvvir ninaw.6.Agna thowys ni inbrofedigaeth. 7.Namynmyn gwared ni rhagdrug. Amen.
[From Chamberl. p. 47.]
III.
Ancient Irish, orGaedhlig.
Our Narme ataar neamb. 1.Beanicha tainin.2.Godiga de riogda. 3.Go denta du hoill airtalm in marte ar neamb.4.Tabair deimaniugh ar naranlimbali. 5.Augusmai duin ar fiachamhail maamhiaar fiacha. 6.Naleigsin amaribh. 7.Achsaarsa sin o olch.Amen.
[From Dr. Anth. Raymond's Introduction to the History of Ireland, p. 2, 3, &c.][143]
I. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theOLD SAXON.
I.
English.
Our Father, which art in heaven. 1. Hallowed be thy name. 2. Thykingdom come. 3. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. 4. Give us this day, our daily bread. 5. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 6. And lead us not into temptation. 7. But deliver us from evil. Amen.
[From the English Testament.]
II.
Broad Scotch.
Ure Fader, whilk art in hevin. 1. Hallouit be thy naim. 2. Thy kingdum cum. 3. Thy wull be dun in airth, as it is in hevin. 4. Gie uss this day ure daily breid. 5. And forgive uss ure debts, ass we forgien ure debtouris. 6. And leid uss na' into temptation. 7. Bot deliver uss frae evil. Amen.
[From a Scotch Gentleman.]
III.
Low Dutch, orBelgic.
Onse Vader, die daer zijt in de hemelen. 1. Uwen naem worde gheheylight. 2. U rijcke kome. 3. Uwen wille gheschiede op der aerden, gelijck in den hemel. 4. Onse dagelijck broodt gheest ons heden. 5. Ende vergheeft ons onse schulden, ghelijck wy oock onse schuldenaren vergeven. 6. Ende en leyt ons niet in Versoeckinge. 7. Maer verlost ons vanden boosen. Amen.
[From the New Test. in Dutch.]
IV.
Frisic, orFriezeland Tongue.
Ws Haita duu deritu biste yne hymil. 1. Dyn name wird heiligt. 2. Dyn rick tokomme. 3. Dyn wille moet schoen, opt yrtyck as yne hymile. 4. Ws dielix bræ jov ws jwed. 5. In verjou ws, ws schylden, as vejac ws schyldnirs. 6. In lied ws nact in versieking. 7. Din fry ws vin it quæd. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 68.]
II. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT BRITISH,orCYMRAEG.
I.
Welsh, orCymraeg.
Ein Tâd, yr hwn wyt yn y nefoedd. 1. Sanctieddier dy Enw. 2. Deved dy deyrnas. 3. Bydaed dy ewyllys ar y ddaiar megis y mae yn y nefoedd. 4. Dyro i ni heddyw ein bara beunyddiol. 5. A madde ini ein dyledion fel y maddeuwn ni i'n dyledwyr. 6. Ag nag arwain ni i brofedigaeth. 7. Eithr gwared ni rhag drwg. Amen.
[Communicated by a Gentleman of Jesus College, Oxon.]
II.Armoric, or Language ofBritannyin France.
Hon Tad, pehudij sou en efaou. 1. Da hanou bezet sanctifiet. 2. Devet aornomp da rouantelaez. 3. Da eol bezet graet en douar, eual maz eon en euf. 4. Ró dimp hyziou hon bara pemdeziec. 5. Pardon dimp hon pechedou, eual ma pardonomp da nep pegant ezomp offanczet. 6. Ha na dilaes quet a hanomp en temptation. 7. Hoguen hon diliur diouz drouc. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 51.]
III.
Cornish.
Ny Taz, ez yn neau. 1. Bonegas yw tha hanaw. 2. Tha gwlakoth doaz. 3. Tha bonagath bogweez en nore pocoragen neau. 4. Roe thenyen dythma gon dyth bara givians. 5. Ny gan rabn weary cara ny givians mens. 6. O cabin ledia ny nara idn tentation. 7. Buz dilver ny thart doeg. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 50.]
II. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT GERMAN,orFRANCIC, &c.
I.
High Dutch, (proper.)
Unser Vater in dem Himmel. 1. Dein name werde geheiliget. 2. Deinreich komme. 3. Dein wille geschehe auf erden, wie im himmel. 4. Unser taeglich brodt gib uns heute. 5. Und vergib uns unsere schulden, wie wir unsern schuldigern vergeben. 6. Und fuehre uns nicht in Versuchung. 7. Sondern erloese uns von dem vbel. Amen.
[From the common German New Testament, printed at London, 12 mo.]
II.
High Dutchof theSuevian Dialect.
Fatter ausar dear du bischt em hemmal. 1. Gehoyleget wearde dain nam. 2. Zuakomme dain reych. 3. Dain will gschea uff earda as em hemmal. 4. Ausar deglich braud gib as huyt. 5. Und fergiab as ausre schulda, wia wiar fergeaba ausarn schuldigearn. 6. Und fuar as net ind fersuaching. 7. Sondern erlais as fom ibal. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn's Oratio Dominica, p. 64.]
III.
TheSwiss Language.
Vatter unser, der du bist in himlen. 1. Geheyligt werd dyn nam. 2. Rukumm uns dijn rijch. 3. Dyn will geschahe, wie im himmel, also auch uff erden. 4. Gib uns hut unser taglich brot. 5. Und vergib uns unsere schulden, wie anch wir vergaben unsern schulderen. 6. Und fuhr uns nicht in versuchnyss. 7. Sunder erlos uns von dem bosen. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 65.]
III. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT IRISH.
I.
Irish, orGaidhlig.
Ar nathair atá ar neamh. 1. Naomhthar hainm. 2. Tigeadh do riaghachd. 3. Deuntar do thoil ar an ttalámh, mar do nithear ar neamh. 4. Ar naràn laéathamhail tabhair dhúinn a niu. 5. Agus maith dhúinn ar bhfiacha, mar mhaithmidne dar bhféitheamhnuibh fein. 6. Agus na léig sinn a ccathughadh. 7. Achd sáor sinn o olc. Amen.
[From Bishop Bedel's Irish Bible. Lond. 1690. 8 vo.]
II.
Erse, orGaidhlig Albannaich.
Ar n' Athair ata air neamh. 1. Gu naomhaichear t tinm. 2. Tigeadh do rioghachd. 3. Deanthar do thoil air an ta amh mar a nithear air neamb. 4. Tabhair dhuinn an diu ar n aran laitheill. 5. Agus maith dhuinn ar fiacha amhuill mar mhaithmid d'ar luehd-fiach-aibh.[144]6. Agus na leig am buaireadh sinn. 7. Ach saor sinn o olc. Amen.
[From the New Testament in the Erse Language.]
III.
Manks, or Language of theIsle of Man.
Ayr ain, t'ayns niau. 1. Casherick dy row dt'ennym. 2. Dy jig dty reeriaught. 3. Dt'aigney dy row jeant er y thalao, myr te ayns niau. 4. Cur d oin nyn arran jiu as gaghlaa. 5. As leih dooin nyn loghtyn, nyr ta shin leih dauesyn tu jannoo loghtyn nyn' oc. 6. As ny leeid shin ayns miolagh. 7. Agh livrey shin veih olk. Amen.
[From the Liturgy in Manks, printed at London, 1765. 8 vo.]
III. MODERN LANGUAGESderived from theANCIENT SCANDINAVIAN,orICELANDIC,called (by some writers)Cimbric,orCimbro Gothic.
I.
Icelandic.
Fader vor thu som ert a himnum. 1.Helgest thitt nafn. 2. Tilkome thitt riike. 3. Verde thinn vilie, so a jordu, sem a himne. 4. Gieff thu oss i dag vort daglegt braud. 5. Og fiergieff oss vorar skulder, so sem vier fierergiefum vorum skuldinautum. 6. Og inleid oss ecke i freistne. 7. Heldr frelsa thu oss fra illu. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 70.]
II.
Norwegian, orNorse.
Wor Fader du som est y himmelen. 1. Gehailiget woare dit nafn. 2. Tilkomma os riga dit. 3. Din wilia geskia paa iorden, som handt er udi himmelen. 4. Giff oss y tag wort dagliga brouta. 5. Och forlaet os wort skioldt, som wy forlata wora skioldon. 6. Och lad os icke homma voi fristelse. 7. Man frals os fra onet. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 71.]
III.
Danish.
Vor Fader i himmelen. 1. Helligt vorde dit navn. 2. Tilkomme dit rige. 3. Vorde din villie, paa iorden som i himmelen. 4. Giff oss i dag vort daglige bred. 5. Oc forlad oss vor skyld, som wi forlade vore skyldener. 6. Oc leede oss icke i fristelse. 7. Men frels os fra ont. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 70.]
IV.
Swedish.
Fader war som ast i himmelen. 3. Helgat warde titt nampn. 2. Till komme titt ricke. 3. Skei tin willie saa paa lordenne, som i himmelen. 4. Wart dagliga brod giff oss i dagh. 5. Och forlat os wara skulder sa som ock wi forlaten them oss skildege aro. 6. Och inleed oss icke i frestelse. 7. Ut an frals oss i fra ondo. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 70.]
I.
TheFinnLanguage.
Isa meidan joca olet taiwassa. 1. Pyhitetty olcon sinum nimes. 2. Lahes tulcon sinum waldacundas. 3. Olcon sinun tahtos niin maase cuin taiwasa. 4. Anna meile tanapaiwana meidan joca paiwainen leipam. 5. Sa anna meille meidan syndim andexi nuncuin mekin andex annam meidan welwottistem. 6. Ja ala johdata meita kiusauxen. 7. Mutta paasta meita pahasta. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 82.]
II.
TheLaplandTongue.
Atka mijam juco lee almensisne. 1. Ailis ziaddai tu nam. 2. Zweigubatta tu ryki. 3. Ziaddus tu willio. naukuchte almesne nau ei edna mannal. 4. Wadde mijai udni mijan fært pæfwen laibebm. 5. Jah andagasloite mi jemijan suddoid, naukuchte mije andagasloitebt kudi mije welgogas lien. 6. Jah sissalaidi mijabni. 7. Æle tocko kæckzællebma pahast. Amen.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 83.]
ASpecimenof theCantabrianorBiscayan Language,still preserved inSpain.
TheBasque.
Gure Aita kerutéan caréna. 1. Erabilbedi sainduqui çure jcena. 2. Ethorbedi çure eressuma. 3. Eguinbedi çure borondatea çerú an becala turre'an ore. 4. Emandieçagucu egun gure egunorozco oguia. 5. Eta barkhadietcatgutçu gure çorrac gucere gure coidunei barkhatcendiotçaguten becala. 6. Eta ezgaitçatcu utc tentacionétan erortcerat. 7. Aitcitic beguiragaitcatçu gaite gucietaric. Halabiz.
[From Chamberlayn, p. 44.]
Here we find many of the same words, with small variations, in all the languages of Teutonic origin. It is however observable that the English have softened some words, by omitting the gutturals. Thusgehalgudin the Anglo-Saxon;geheiligetin the German;gheheylightin the Belgic; andgeheyligtin the Swiss, are softened intohallowedin English;taeglichanddagelijchtbecomedaily. Similar omissions run thro the language. Thusnagel,hagelhave become in Englishnailandhail. Theghinmight,nightare still pronounced by the Scotch; but the English saymite,nite.[145]
The affinity between the ancient British, the modern Welsh, and the Armoric, is very obvious; but in the latter, we find a few Latin or French words—pardon,peichdon,deliur, which we should naturally expect from the vicinity of Britanny to the French language.
I have been at the pains to examin a great number of radical words in the Danish, and find the most of them, amounting to more than four hundred, very little different from the English. Where the English writew, the Danes writev;vindforwind. Where the English writechard, the Danes, with more judgement, writek;klover,kan,kommer, forcleave,can,come. Where the English writewh, the Danes, with propriety, writehv,vhaving the sound ofw; ashvad,hvi,hval;what,why,whole.
The words, common to the Danish and English, are mostly monosyllables.
As a corroborating proof of the Eastern origin of the Goths, authors produce the resemblance between their religious opinions and the notions of the Magi. The Scandinavian mythology is preserved in the EDDA, written by Snorro Sturleson, an Icelander, a learned judge and first magistrate in the 12th century.
In this there are many notions which seem to bear a great analogy to the doctrines revealed in the Bible.
It is represented in the Edda, that before creation, "all was one vast abyss;" an idea not unlike the scripture account of what we usually callchaos.—"ThatSurtur, the black, shall come at the end of the world, vanquish the gods and give up the universe to the flames"—a crude notion of the conflagration.—"ThatYmerthe first man or great giant, slept and fell into a sweat, and from the pit of his left arm were born male and female;" this has some resemblance to the scripture account of the creation of the woman—"Thatthe sons ofBoreslew the giantYmer, and all the giants of the frost were drowned, except Bengelmer, who was saved in his bark;" in which notion we observe some tradition of the deluge.
The opinion that the world will be destroyed by fire seems to have been universal among the Gothic nations. The descriptions of that catastrophe resemble those of the Stoics and of the ancient Magi and Zoroaster, from whom the idea was probably taken. These descriptions all agree with the scripture representation of that event in the material circumstances.
The doctrine of a future state, or of a renovation of the world, was part of the Gothic system. It was taught by Zamolxis, the celebrated Druid of the Getæ and Scythians.—— Herod. Lib. 4. § 95.
In this same Edda, we also find the origin of some customs still remaining among the descendants of the northern nations. The drinking of bumpers is not an invention of modern bacchanals; it is mentioned, fable 25, of the Edda, where it is said Thor challenged one to a drinking match.
The custom of hanging up bushes on Christmas eve is derived probably from the superstitious veneration paid to the Misseltoe by the Scandinavians.
Indeed the festival of Christmas was grafted upon an ancient pagan feast, celebrated at the winter solstice, in honour of the sun and to render the new year propitious. It answered to the Roman Saturnalia, and was probably of as high an origin. The night on which it was observed was calledMother Night, as that which produced the rest; and the feast itself was called by the GothsIuul.—See Mallet's North. Antiq. vol. 1. p. 130. Hence the old wordyeuloryulefor Christmas; a word that is still used, or at least has been used till within a century in Scotland and the north of England. "Yule," says that learned antiquary, Cowel, "in the north parts of England, is used by thecountry people as the name of the feast of our Lord's nativity, usually termedChristmas. The sports used at Christmas, called Christmas Gamboles, they stileYule Games.Yuleis the proper Scotch word for Christmas."——Cowel's Law Dictionary, tit. Yule. The Parliament passed an act for discharging theYule Vacance, which was repealed after the union by stat. George I. cap. 8. The feast was celebrated from time immemorial among the Romans and Goths; the Christians changed its object and name; tho such is the force of custom, that the Gothic name existed in Scotland till lately, and perhaps still exists among the lower ranks of people.
From the northern nations also we have the names of the days of the week; or at least of some of them. The ancient Goths devoted particular days to particular deities.
TUESDAY wasTyrsdag, from Tyr the God of bravery. It is in the Danish,Tyrsdag, and in the SwedishTisdag.
WEDNESDAY isWoden'sdag, fromWoden, a celebrated warrior deified. In Icelandic, it isWonsdag; in Swedish,Odinsdag; in Dutch,Woensdag; in Anglo Saxon,Wodensdag.
THURSDAY is fromThor, god of the air. In Danish it isThorsdag; in SwedishTorsdag.
FRIDAY is fromFrea, the earth and goddess of love, answering to the Venus of the Greeks. In some languages it is calledFreytag.—— See Mallet's North. Antiquities.
I will just add, it is a weighty argument in favor of the truth of the Scripture history, and of the opinion here advanced of the common origin of languages, that in all the ancient and modern European alphabets, the letters are of a similarfigure and power, and arranged nearly in the same order.[146]The true Greek letters were only the Cadmean letters reversed: This reversal took place early in Greece, when the ancient Phenician and Hebrew order of writing from right to left, was changed for the modern order, which is from left to right. The Hebrew or Phenician Alphabet was clearly the parent of the Greek, Roman and Gothic.
[B],page52.
[B],page52.
The reader will please to accept the following specimen, which will convey an idea of the whole.
Punic.
Yth al o nim ua lonuth! sicorathissi me com syth chim lach chunyth mum ys tyal myethi barii im schi.
Irish.
Iath all o nimh uath lonnaithe! socruidhse me com sith chimi lach chuinigh! muini istoil miocht beiridh iar mo scith.
English.
Omnipotent, much dreaded Deity of this country! asswage my troubled mind! Thou, the support of feeble captives! being now exhausted with fatigue, of thy free will, guide me to my children.
In this example the affinity between the Punic and Irish is striking; and the same runs thro the whole speech.
That Ireland received colonies from Spain or Carthage is probable from other circumstances. The Irish historians say their ancestors received letters from the Phenicians; and the Irish language was calledBearni Feni, the Phenician tongue.Cadizin Spain was first settled by Phenicians; andcadasin Irish signifiesfriendship.
The Irish seems to be a compound ofCelticandPunic;and if Ireland was peopled originally from Carthage, and received colonies from thence, the event must have been subsequent to the first Punic war; for this was the period when the Carthaginians adopted the Roman letters, and there is no inscription in Ireland in the Phenician character.
The Hebrew was the root of the Phenician and the Punic. The Maltese is evidently a branch of the Punic; for it approaches nearer to the Hebrew and Chaldaic, than to the Arabic. For this assertion we have the authority ofM. Maius, professor of the Greek and oriental languages in the Ludovician university of Giessen, who had his accounts fromRibier, a missionary Jesuit and native of Malta. This fact will account for the correspondence between the Irish and the Maltese, in several particulars. In Maltese,AllasignifiesGod; in Irish,Allismighty.Baolin Maltese, andBelorBalin Irish, signifyChief DeityorSun. In Maltese,orduisendorsummit; in Irish,ard,arda, arehill,high. These words are probably from the same root as the Latinarduus, and the Englishhard, implying labor.Bandlain Maltese, isa cord; in Irish,bannis suspension. In Maltese,galais the sail of a ship; and in Irish,galis a gale of wind. These Maltese words are taken from a Punica Maltese Dictionary, annexed to a treatise, Della lingua Punica presentamente usitate da Maltese, by G. Pietro Francisco Agius de Solandas.
There is also a correspondence between the Irish and Punic, in the variation of their nouns, as may be observed in the following example.