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

Η preface»
I began to reason with myself thus :
" A nation, comparatively rude, and sim-
ple, mai/ have preserved the outlines of two, or
three, ancient, and primitive arts, with more
precision than others, who were ambitious of
innovations, and refinements.
** But, if the system be a genuine relic of
antiquity, it λ\'ύ\ abide the test of compa-
rison. Traces of it will be found in other
countries; — at least, those elements Λvhich are
intimated by the si/mhols, will find correspond-
ing affinities in the radical tenns of other lan-
guages, which are knoAvn to be ancient. The
system of Celtic speech is too ingenious to have
been struck out by the original contrivance,
or local accidents of the Celtic race/*
I made an experiment upon the languages
of Judea,•— upon those of Greece, — and of
Rome,