The Irish republic., 1867-05-11
The Ancient Irish.

The Ancient Irish.
The first language spoken in the British Islands, of which
we have any historical knowledge the ancient Celtic
Dialects of old Irish still spoken in Wales in the High
lands of Scotland in the Isle of Man, and in the western part
of Ireland particularly the west called Connaught Come
present English very few Celtic words found if
except the OF places mountains rivers and lakes
Of which retain the appeaton given them by the
ancient Cets Celtic the language of the natives of Britain
when the country invaded by the Romans under Julius
Caesar, about fttyfve before the Christian
During the four hundred years in which the Romans held mill
of the country great number of Latin words
amalgamated with the langrage of the natives
The greater part of Irish literature consists of old Badic
Songs Metrica legends and Historical chronicles The
ancient and important of these written in Irish the
Psar of Cashe the Annals of Tgenach the Annals of the
-Four Masters the Annals of Ulster the of Innis
fallen.
The Psalter of Cashe, according history compiled
early the ninth century, and the Annals of Tgernach
written about 200 later In these Annals and in others
written subsequently, there incorporated the substance and
the words of chronicles composed earlier dates quote
the opinion of Professor Spauding Aberdeen University
Scotland when he that other nation of modern Eu
make such similar boast to have histories of
their written in their language, and beginning
the fourth or fifth centuries as the Irish"
Nor does it appear that the Scottish Celts point
parable to this All the earliest relics of their language
Merca Such is the Abanc Duan historical poem and
possessing bardc character said belong the eleventh
century But though to throw out of view the modern
patchwork which dsgues the original from the English
and though should likewise hesitate positively
that the FDgalc tales really borrowed from Ireland
still impossible to satisfy self pieces exhibited
the groundwork of the poems have just claim remote
origin In the language of the Welsh Celts very many
similar productions still preserved Such songs
Metrcal pieces and Legendary tales is not however
generally admitted that of them written earlier
the hce!fh century, which is far behind time.
nations of modern Europe had books histories written
in their language earlier than the rsh What was the
form of the Saxon language when about the year 45o they first
entered Britain cannot be known They to have
been people without learning and very probably without any
alphabet at all their Speech therefore, having always
and exempoaneous have been
nected without modes of transition nvouon of cau
which abupness and unconnecton may
in their later writer's This state of babay supposed
to have continued during the with the Braas which for
along time lett them no leisure for other studies is there
any reason for supposng it abaed till the year 5O when ST.
Augustine came from Rome the barbaans to
Chrstany 1t would be we'll at this happy period of the
world 1861 If other such St. should around and
cleanse the perfdous vile tribe of mscreans explain them
the wrongs they daily exercising poor deserted
homeless Irishmen
Finally, trust that the day when the
Green Banners will buoyantly every hilltop Ire
land.
P c. o'BRIEN
Quincy, ILL.,, April 29h, 1867.