PREFACE. LANGUAGE, philosophically considered, is not only a safe guide in tracing the origin and affinity of nations, but an important auxiliary in bearing its testimony to the truth of revelation. In the latter point of view, a clergyman cannot be out of his legitimate province, when investigating the origin and structure of languages. A constant anxiety to be as correct as possible, has led not only to the examination of some of the most eminent treatises upon the languages and literature of the Gothic nations, but to the submitting of each article to the careful revision of one or more of the most learned men in each country. The sketch of the Dutch language and literature has been revised by Professor Siegenbeek, the Danish by Professor Rafn, and the Friesic written by the Rev. J. H. Halbertsma. The other articles have been corrected by men equally eminent, whose names would reflect honour upon the author, and give additional credit to his work, if he were permitted to record them. After all his care, the author is too conscious of his liability to err, in a work requiring so much investigation and so extended a course of reading, not to fear lest he should have failed in that accuracy which he has so much desired: wherever this is the case, the blame must be attributed to him, and not to his friends. This work was originally written as an introduction to the author's Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, with a view of tracing the origin and progress of the Germanic languages, especially Old-Saxon and Anglo-Saxon, and of shewing their connexion with English; but as he considered it too long and uninteresting to appear in the whole impression, it was only prefixed to a part of it: a few copies, however, were printed in a separate form, with the title, "The Origin of the Germanic Languages, &c." chiefly for private distribution. Copies of the Dictionary, with this long preface, were so much preferred, that it was twice found necessary to revise and reprint the preface.-The copies printed in a separate form, being exhausted, the author was induced to add a chapter, on the origin of alphabetic writing in the east, and its gradual diffusion to the west, as collateral evidence of the oriental source of European population; and, after giving, in the conclusion, a brief summary of the whole work, to prepare it for publication with its present title. It was then partly reprinted, that it might be published at the time, and in illustration of his "Compendious Anglo-Saxon and English Dictionary," in which he was engaged. Protracted indisposition, and failing sight, delayed the progress of the Compendious Dictionary for some years; and, of course, the appearance of this work. This delay renders it necessary to notice, in the following page, a few errors, and the chief works that have appeared in the interim. Though the book has again required much time and care, it is at last published, with a deep consciousness that it is still very imperfect. 9, Southampton Street, Bloomsbury Square, London, 1848. CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS IN 1848. P 10, 14.-See Welsford's Origin, &c. of the English Language. 8vo. 1845. P 18, 46.-Ancient Laws and Institutes of England. 2 vols. 8vo. 1840. 30s. A-S. and English, commenced by Mr. Price, and finished by B. Thorpe, Esq. P 18, 59.-The Anglo-Saxon Version of the Holy Gospels, by B. Thorpe, F.S.A. Post 8vo. 1842. 12s., reduced to 8s. P 19, 33.-Cædmon may now be had by any F.S.A. of the Society for 6s. P 19,1 64.-A new Ed. with some account of Mrs. Elstob. 8vo. 1839. 6s.-The A.-S. text is in,-Principia Saxonica, by L. Langley, 12mo. 1838. 2s. 6d. P 20, 20.-2nd Ed. of Kemble's Beowulf, with English and a valuable Glossary, 2 vols. small 8vo. 1835-1837. 30s. P 20, 23.-Conybeare's A-S. Poetry may be had by any F.S.A. of the Society for 6s. P 20, 23.-Registrum Wiltunense, Saxonicum et Latinum, ab anno regis Alfredi 892, ad annum 1045. Nunc demum notis illustraverunt J. Ingram, S. Turner, T. D. Fosbroke, T. Phillipps, Bart., R. C. Hoare, Bart. Fol. pp. 56, typis Nicholsianis, Londini, 1827. P 20, 160.-A Guide to the Anglo-Saxon Tongue; a Gr. after Rask, with extracts in Prose and Verse, Notes, &c. by E. J. Vernon, B.A. Oxon. 12mo. London, 1846. 5s. 6d. P 20, 163.-Altsächsische und Angelsächsische Sprachproben, von Heinrich Leo. 8vo. pp. 274. Halle, 1838. P 21, 10.-A History of English Rhythms, by Edwin Guest, Esq. M.A. 2 vols. 8vo. 1838. This accurate work contains important remarks on A-S., and its Dialects, &c. P 21, 56.-Lappenberg's A-S. Kings, by B. Thorpe, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1845. P 21,758.-Messrs. Longman and Co. 1848, announce, The Saxons in England; a history of the Eng. Commonwealth to the Norman Conquest, by J. M. Kemble, M.A. 2 vols. 8vo. P 22, 1 41.-Now the Rev. J. Stevenson, of Durham. P 24, 21.-Layamon's Brut, a Semi-Saxon paraphrase of Wace's Brut, with English Notes and Glossary, by Sir Frederic Madden. 3 vols. royal 8vo. 1847. 42s; to a F.S.A, 21s P 24, 32, 34.-For I, read they shall. P 25, 9, 10, 11, 13.-For waff, read waff— 129, for Cristeff, read Cristeff. P 27, 1 55.—A Dictionary of Archaic and Provincial Words, obsolete phrases, proverbs, and ancient customs, from the 14th century, by J. O. Halliwell, Esq. F.R.S. &c. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1847. 42s. This important work contains more than 50,000 words, and embodies the substance of all preceding glossaries with much original matter. P 20, 29.- Analecta. 2nd Ed. 1846. 12s. P 20, 34.-Codex Diplomaticus ævi Saxonici, opera J. M. Kemble. 6 vols. 8vo. 18381848. Ritual of the Church of Durham, with an Interlinear Northumbro-Saxon Translation, circa A.D. 700. 8vo. Nichols and Son, London, 1840. 21s.-Popular Treatises on Science, in A-S., Anglo-Norman, and Engl. from MSS. by T. Wright, M.A., F.S.A. 8vo. 1841. P 27, 58.-An historical sketch of the -Codex Exoniensis: A collection of A-S. Poe- provincial Dialects of England, extracted from try, &c. with Eng. and notes by B. Thorpe, the preceding work, 8vo. 1847. 2s-Reliquiæ F.S.A. 8vo. 1842. 20s: supplied to any F.S.A. Antiquæ, 2 vols. 8vo. 1845. 24s.-A Glossary at 8s.-The Homilies of Elfric, with English of Wiltshire Provincial Words, &c. by J. by B. Thorpe, Esq. F.S.A. Parts I. to X. Yonge Akerman, Esq. F.S.A. 12mo. 1842, 3s. 1843-1846.-The Poetry of the Codex Ver--Poems in the Dorset dialect, with a glossary, cellensis, with English by J. M. Kemble, M.A. &c. by the Rev. W. Barnes, 2nd ed. 12mo. Part I. The Legend of St. Andrew. 1844.- London, 1848.-A Glossary of words and Andreas und Elene von J. Grimm, Cassel, phrases used in Teesdale, Durham, by F. T. 1840.-Anglo-Saxon Dialogues of Salomon and Dinsdale, LL.D. post 8vo. In the press. Saturn, by J. M. Kemble, M. A. Parts I. P 82, 4, 5.-See my Compendious A-S. and and II. 1845-1847.-The Departing Soul's English Dictionary, p. v. § 10, 11. Eald-Seaxe, Address to the Body: a Fragment of a Semi- Seaxe. Saxon Poem, discovered and privately printed 47.-The second part of vol. II, conby Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., in 1838: Re-taining a Gothic Grammar, &c. written in Gerprinted with an English translation by S. W. man, and completing this excellent Ed. of Singer. 8vo. 1845. 2s. 6d.-The Anglo-Saxon Ulfilas, was published in 1846. Version of the Life of St. Guthlac; with a translation and notes by C. W. Goodwin, M.A. 12mo. 1847, 5s.-The Anglo-Saxon Version of the Hexameron of St. Basil, and the Saxon Remains of St. Basil's Admonitio ad filium spiritualem; with a translation and account of the author, by H. W. Norman, M.A. 8vo. 1848, 4s. P 20, 146.-For books containing a more complete List of A-S. Works, See my Compendious A-S. and English Dictionary, p. v. P 20, 55.-Grimm's Deut. Gram. 3rd Ed. vol. I. 1840. P 119, P 127,1 32.-For O, read Auch (Aber). P 138, 144.- For the Lord, read thou Lord. P 147, 40.-The Heimskringla, translated from the Icelandic of Snorro Sturleson, with Dissertation, by S. Laing, Esq. 3 vols. 8vo. 1844. 36s. P 158, 15.-Frithiof, a Norwegian Story, from the Swedish of Bp. Tegner, by R. G. Latham, M.A. 12mo. 1838. P 167, 10.—One of the best English works on the German system is-The English Language by R. G. Latham, M.D., F.R.S. 2nd Ed. 8vo. 1848. 15s. P 175, 4. v. p. 281-292. Mithridates Minor; or an Essay on Language, &c. by Henry Welsford, Esq. 8vo. London, 1848, 14s. P 205, 125.- For Ineia read India. 1 2 2 2 Reason aided, and knowledge communicated, by rational language 3-4 A close examination of languages corroborates Revelation . 5-6 All languages proceeded from one parent; The diversity of tongues 7-12 Resemblances in language proved by the ten numerals, and other examples 3-6 13 Diversity of languages; The account of Moses more rational than the vague theories of some modern philosophers . 14-17 Languages divided into classes; The Shemitic, and the languages spoken by 6 6-7 7-9 21-24 Europe peopled from the East; The Celts arrived first, then the Teutoni or Germans, and subsequently the Sclavonians 25 The Scandinavian and Germanic languages. IL-THE GERMANIC AND SCANDINAVIAN LANGUAGES. 1 The Germanic languages distinguished from the Scandinavian 2 The etymology of German, Teutonic, Deutschen, Theotisc, &c. 3-8 The Germans promoted liberty; Their language divided into Low and HighGerman 9 Reason for placing the Anglo-Saxon first 10 11 11 12 12-13 14 III. THE ANGLO-SAXONS. 1 Origin of the Anglo-Saxons 14 2-5 Their settlement in Britain; The Jutes; Saxons; Angles 6-7 Origin of the word England; Duration of the Anglo-Saxon dominion 8 The West-Saxons obtained supreme power, and fixed the standard of the language 9 Anglo-Saxon authors, and a SPECIMEN of pure Anglo-Saxon 10-18 Their Dialects; specimen of the Northumbrian Gloss, A.D. 900; of the Rushworth Gloss; Chronicle, A.D. 1135; the Grave, A.D. 1150; Ormulum, A.D, 1180; Robert of Gloucester, A.D. 1280; Wiclif, A.D. 1380; Dialect of Kent, A.D. 1340 . 17 17-21 21-26 19 Provincial Dialects, with a list of Glossaries 26-27 20-21 Importance of provincial Dialects; Orthography of 27-28 shire; Cheshire; Lancashire; Craven, Yorkshire; Glossary of 30 Compositive power of the Anglo-Saxon, and the extensive use of English Ancient and modern Friesic compared with A.-S.; Friesic authors. 1-2 Anglo-Saxon a dead language; sound of Letters not easily known 3-5 Diphthongal sounds in A.-S.; difficulty in expressing them; changeable 6-8 Dialectic varieties; hence variety in Spelling; vowels interchange . PARAGRAPHS PAGES 9-10 Lye commended for giving the variety of Spelling. 11-12 Speech fixed by the frame of the organs; one sound chosen, the rest follow 13-26 How to discover A.-S. pronunciation; names of numerals; formation of numerals; the use of Gothic; Gothic the oldest German 37-38 38 39-43 27-33 Arrangement of the Gothic tongues; Friesic like A.-S. 34-36 Position of the Goths; the Angles; the Friesians 37-43 Friesian line broken; position of the German tribes 50-56 Friesians accompanied the A.-S. to Britain 44-49 The Anglo-Saxons what implied in the name 57-84 State of A.-S. Manuscripts; MSS. of Cædmon; comparison of, &c. 85-92 Books in Friesic; Asega-bôk; Littera Brocmannoram; Amesga-riucht; Keran fon Hunesgena londe; Jeld and botha; Friesic-Laws; Charters 93-94 Friesic where spoken 44-46 47 48-49 49-51 52-55 55-60 61 62 95-99 SPECIMEN of the Asega-bôk; Brockmen's Laws 62-65 100-1 Hunsingo; Old Friesic of A.D. 1200 compared with Country Friesic 102-9 North and South Holland; East-Friesia, &c. 110-12 Country Friesic, stanzas by the Countess of Blessington; Gysbert Japicx; Hindelopian dialect 71-74 113-19 Remaining dialects; Low-Saxon glossaries, and their use 120-25 Corruption of English; Friesic allied to English 126-27 Friesic useful and English necessary in determining the pronunciation of A.-S. 1-2 The Old-Saxons spoke Low-German; occupied the north of Germany 32-38 Low-German dialects VI.-THE NETHERLANDS, OR HOLLAND. 1-3 The Origin of the Dutch; Eminent Men; Batavi a German race . 1229; Reinaert de Vos, A.D. 1250; Jacob van Maerlant, A.d. 1260; 36 Great Men in the 17th century 37-38 SPECIMENS of Bellamy, A.D. 1780; Bilderdijk, A.D. 1830 39-42 Professor Siegenbeek's Orthography; Van der Palm's version of the Scriptures compared with the established version; other Dutch writers 109-110 43–46 Dutch DIALECTS; the Flemish, Gelderland, Overijssel 110-112 PARAGRAPHS PAGES VII--THE GOTHS. 112 . 114-115 116 1-2 Goths of Asiatic origin; passed from Germany into Sweden and Norway 19 The Goths had a grammatical form for the passive voice VIII.-THE ALEMANNI, OR SUABIANS. 1 The derivation of the name and the locality of the Alemannic 2-4 Peculiarities of the dialect—mode of speaking—where prevalent 5 The writers and compositions in Alemannic IX. THE FRANCS. 116-119 120 120 121 121 1-3 Who they were; How and when confederated; Extent of territory 4-5 The Carlovingian dynasty; Pepin and his successors 122 122 123 6 Francic writers and compositions X.-HIGH-GERMAN, OR THE ALEMANNIC, SUABIAN, AND FRANCIC DIALECTS. 1 Four centuries between Ulphilas and the next German writer 2-8 An exhortation to Christians, with a SPECIMEN, A.D. 720; Hildibraht, A.D. 730; St. Ambrose's Hymns, A.D. 750; A Hymn to St. Peter, about A.D. 760; Wassobrunn Prayer, A.D. 770; Kero, A.D. 800; Isidore, A.D. 800. 9 Charlemagne promotes learning 10-14 His Successors; SPECIMENS of their oaths; Rhabanus Maurus; Otfrid, A.D. 850; Muspilli, 855; Ludwigslied, 883. 123 1123-127 128 128-131 132 15-16 The Saxon Emperors, from A.D. 919-1024; Notker, 1020. 23-32 Minnesingers, from A.D. 1100-1300; Nibelungen Leid, A.D. 1150; Walter von der Vogelweide, A.D. 1200; Grave Chunrad von Kilchberg or Kirchberg, A.D. 1190; Henry Rispach, A.D. 1207; Wirnt von Grafenberg, A.D. 1212; Gotfrit von Nifen, A.D. 1235; Other Poems; Schwaben-Spiegel, A.D. 1250; The Edelstein 33-50 Extracts from Scripture, from A.D. 1400—1530 54-59 The Froschmauseler, A.D. 1595; the Scripture, A.D. 1752; Soltau's 1 Iceland discovered in A.D. 861 2 Harald Hárfager drove the Norwegian nobles to Iceland 3-5 Iceland in its pagan state; the Skalds; Saga-men 6-8 Sæmund's Edda; Outline of Edda; Song of Grimner 9-10 Snorre's Sturleson's prose Edda; Njála |