Blair Collection > History of the Celtic language

CELTIC LANGUAGE. 63
tonishing Adam with sinuous gambols — the hyena
laughing like a maniac — the cuckoo, together with
the world of winged choristers of the grove singing
their varied matins — the industrious bee whispering
to the shamrock — the Euphrates gliding by with
liquid murmur — the trees gently waving as if in
sign of worship — echo flying from hill to hill, as if
mother Nature were alive to the varied interests of
her offspring; here sympathizing with her com-
plaining young, and here rejoicing in the joy of
such of them as vent their happiness in hymns of
praise — Paradise, in short, like one great altar offer-
ing fragrance and praise to the Great Creator.
Thus circumstanced contemplate we our great pro-
genitor Adam. He is endowed with reason and sense
— with a tongue ready to give audible expression to
inward emotion — to enunciate every possible into-
nation whether in imitation of the notes of other
animals or to accompany and give a tongue to his
own looks and gestures. Thus circumstanced how
much of language, we would ask, does he require ?
1^ Why, if language be but " a medium for the ex-
pression and communication of human ideas and
sensations," it can be no further necessary than it
is conducive to this end. But Adam in present
circumstances has not an individual human being
to communicate with, and so far as his Maker is
concerned, the secret breathings of the soul are
intelligible to Him. Adam requires, therefore, as