Blair Collection > Celtic researches, on the origin, traditions & language, of the ancient Britons

Inclination, for which I cannot account,
having disposed nie to explore the few traces
that are left us of the ancient Tielsh, my at-
tention Λ\as impelled, with slow, but accu-
mulating force, to their singular doctrines
upon the origin of speech, and the fundamental
princijjles of language. I began to penetrate
the niystic imj)ort of these oracles. But, re-
collecting, where I found them, I was inclin-
ed rather to believe it an antiquarian^ whim,
than a discovery of real use, in the pursuit of
historical science.
In 179T? I iiad occasion to make researches
in the Irish language. Agaiii, the same vision
presented itself: I compared the notices, Avhich
I had previously obtained at home, Λvith lights
thrown upon them, by those collateral branches
oi' Üìc Celtic House; — till I found myself in the
habit of arranging a system, calculated for
the double object of representing, by symbols
the ideas, and the sounds»