Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-08-27


 Britons conquered by the Romans in the reign of the Emperor Claudus The Romans, speaking the Latin language, might then be regarded as the most cultivated nation ofthat age; but they perhaps were somewhat on the decline. They kept posses sion of the country for centuries, and then as historians inform us, abandoned it. Still, when we consider that they did not banish the Britons from the island, but lived among them, it seems likely that there was some amalgamatiOn of the Romans and Brltons, and some consequent modification of the original language of the people.
 | When the Romans, as nation, abandoned Bri- tam, the people in the southern part of the island who had become effeminae, were harrassed by the l barbarians of the northern part called Picts and Scots. To obtain relief they impored the assistance | of the SaxOns, one of those northern nations that overrun Europe. These Saxons, with kindred tribe called Angles, came to the assistance of the | Brltons against their enemies. These enemies they subdued, or drove back and then in turn, subdued | and governed those whom they came to relieve. The SaxOns and Angles became amal gamated, and their language, called Ango-Saxon became the pre- vaen language of that part of the island now called England, from Angle-and. How far the Britons became incorporated with the AngloSaxons does not very clearly appear. Many of them left, were banshed from the land of their forefathers and took refuge in the mountains of Wales, where the remains Of tbat ancient people and of that ancient language may still be found. But it is admitted that many words of the ancient Britons became incorporated with the language of the Ang -Saxons.
 Christianity was introduced into England in the sixth century; and the services of the Church being Tn Latin, which being the principal language, too, of the missionaries and priests who introduced it, that language contributed by degrees to the common dia- lect of the nation.
 According D.. Johnson, the AnSlo-Saxon dia- lect of our ancestors assumed a form m which The beginning of our present English can be plainly dis covered, about the year 1l50. It underwent great modification, doubtless from the incursions of the Danes, and their occasional incorporation with the mass of the people.
 When William, the Norman, conquered the coun- try, the language underwent partial revolution also; much less complete, however than that of the government. The language spoken by William and his followers was called the Norman French; and was itself perhaps compound of the Celtic, Teutonic and Latin. This was now spoken by the Royal Court by the Nobcs and became the lan- guage of the Courts of law. It never more than partially incorporated with the language of the people. Since which time the language has recev- ed various accessions from the French and other dern languages, as wellas from the Latin and Creek owing to the extensive study of classical literature.
 The three ancient fountains from which de- rive our language coming to us through many streams are the Celtic, Latin, and Teutonc. The latter forms the basis of speech the Saxon and Danish languages being of that original stock, and the Norman partaking largely of the same. Most of our verbs, particles and other words that form the frame of our language are of Teuonic descent It IS estimated by Duponcieu that our words derived from that stock somewhat more than three to one in proportion to those derived from other sources.
 Behold now the English Language as we find it Tn the masterly productions of the age! Mark its poetic sublimity in Milton, Shakespeare and Byron Its harmony in Pope Its simplicity, pahos, beauty and elegance, in Goldsmith and Campbell Or to part with the poets, the powers of the language to unfold the mysteries of the intellectual regions must be acknowledged by those who have read the works of Lock- Smith, Stewart, Brown and Edwards It's accuracy and elegance in history shines conspicu ously on the luminous pages of Robertson, Hume and Gbbon. Its strength and perspcuity on other subjects, may be exempfed in the writings of Swift, Goodwin, Franklin and Jefferson: Its elegance and energies combined in those of Rush and Charming: Its power and its charms in he'ield of fiction by those of Scott, Irving, Edgeworth and Cooper!- But forbear and protest against the application of that maxim that the expression of one is the ex- c1usion of another. Behold, l say the English ian guage as it Is And mark the mass of crude mate rials out of which it rose The mixture of nations the confusion of tongues the turning and overturn ing of dynasties, and institutions! In the lan guage of Monesquieu we may exclaim-"what beautiful system, to be found in the woods" This exclamation was used by hlm in relation to the Go vernment of England: It applies still more appro- priately to the language; as there IS vastly more beauty and harmony in the latter than in the former l Here we perceive new language formed, with l in few centuries, not without materials, indeed, but out of materials of very discordant character so much so, that their amalgamaton would have seemed to the mere theorist nearly impossible Was thls anal gamation brought about by the skilful la bors of the literat? No. The learned men of the time stood aloof from it, until tshad acquired form and consistency among the people. Was the lan- guage invented by the ingenuity of the few, or de- termined on by council of the many? No such thing: it grew up, according to the views already presented out of human nature and human circum- stances, every one adding his mite to the fabrick, while the whole harmonious scheme was in the con- temptation of no one. While contend that lan- guage grows up thus spontaneously admit the agency of man in this growth. l have stated that every one adds his mite. It is general, not an in dividual agency exercised by many, ill great mea- sure without concert, but not without harmony Whence then arises this harmony This question l | have answered already: it is from the feeling of analogy or have ventured to call it, the anologz- | ing principle in the mind of man aided by siml- larity of nature-of wants and enjoyments among those who contribute to the grand structure ofspeecb.
 Shall we then regard all thought of improving our language as idle, and excaim-in phiology, as some phlegmatic devotees have done in relgion:-" Let us wait the good work will be effected in Heavens good time, without agency?" By no means The language may be improved greatly by the dl- rect efforts of individuals. But 10 improve 1t, we must illustrate and favor its anaogies, discoune- nance all apomes and irregularities that are not firmly grounded in our language, and be humble co-workers in its general progress. We often hear of the republic of letters. There is an accuracy in the eypression Ii is monarchy: no man can rule it at his pleasure. It is aristocracy the literati cannot in the character of nobles, the reigns of Government. Learned men, it IS ad- mitted, however, may exercise greater influence than others in this republic, either for good fol evil. But the land of letters is Republic in which the people sovereigns. Every one has his weight yet different persons may exercise different degrees of influence according their talents and industry Nay this republic extends the doctrine of equal tI dnd h.