Essay on the Antiquity of the Welsh Tongue

Before I enter, however, on this inquiry, I feel it necessary to premise a few remarks, which the nature of the subject appears particularly to demand, with reference to an hypothesis that has hitherto gained considerable currency, and seems to have tended, in no small degree, to encumber the researches of philologists, and consequently, to have had an injurious influence on their inquiries into the particular characteristics of the Welsh tongue.

The hypothesis to which I allude, is the notion that language was originally communicated in full and perfect state, by the Deity to man; an opinion which has been supported by so many learned and pious writers, and with so bold a confidence, that one is almost led to believe the assertion to be sanctioned by divine revelation. It happens, however, unfortunately for their position, that the sacred volume not only gives no countenance to it, but seems even to favour an opposite conclusion in the only passage which can reasonably be adapted to the occasion.

Cont.