A collection of letters
Subtitle: in which the imperfection of learning, even among Christians, and a remedy for it, are hinted. The usefulness of the Celtick is instanced, in illustrating the antiquities of the British Isles, in pointing out the errors of Mr. Innes, and the most ancient people and language; some elements of which are set down. The affinity betwixt the language of the Americans of Terra Firma, and these of the ancient Britains, is proved. The scripture-account of things is confirm'd. An objection against revealed religion, heretofore not fully answered, is removed. A specimen of a dictionary, English-Celtick, and Celtick-English, is given. As also, a collection of papers, in which the proceedings of the honourable society of improvers, the honourable and learned faculty of advocates, some general assemblies, their commissions and committees, and the testimonies of some learned men about this affair, are represented
Contributors: Malcolme, David
Publisher: [s.n.]
Published: 1739
Place of publication: Edinburgh
Language: eng
Number of pages: 16
Subjects: Glossaries, vocabularies; Celtic languages; Cuna language; Indian linguistics
Work titles: Essay on the antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland
Notes: "Essay on the antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland" attributed to David Malcolm; the whole of this work edited by David Malcolm. Cf. Scott and ESTC.

Order and number of parts varies in individual copies.

First printed with title: An essay on the antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland: wherein they are placed in a clearer light than hitherto. Designed as an introduction to a larger work, especially an attempt to shew an affinity betwixt the languages, &c. of the ancient Britains, and the Americans of the isthmus of Darien. In answer to an objection against revealed religion in 16 (i.e. 15 pts.), Edinburgh, 1738 (ESTC T181786)

Issued in 15 parts with a general title page; each has its own caption title page, pagination, and register; general title page as a separate part.

T. and W. Ruddimans also issued what seems to be a shortened form of "An essay on the antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland" with pagination [2], 30, 33-48 p. (ESTC T72152) in Edinburgh, 1738.

Pt. 6, "A letter to Archimedes the old Caledonian, the first mathematician of the age, about the remote antiquities of Great Britain", printed without p. 31-32. Cf. Scott; this part contains 4 other letters each with separate caption title.

"To A. M. of D. E.", pt. 8, includes "Wafer's specimen" on p. 3, a short vocabulary list in the Cuna language of the Darien Indians, followed by "Some observations on the words in Wafer's specimen", p. 7-8 of that same part.

"To the H. S. A. M. of -----", pt. 9, includes a short comparative vocaulary list in the Cuna language of the Darien Indians and the Welsh language on p. 8.

Pagination: [2] p.; pt. 1: 8 p.; pt. 2: 16 p.; pt. 3: 24 p.; pt. 4: 32 p.; pt. 5: 32 p.; pt. 6: 30, 33-48 p.; pt. 7: 32 p.; pt. 8: 8 p.; pt. 9: 8 p.; pt. 10: 8 p.; pt. 11: 8 p.; pt. 12: 8 p.; pt. 13: 8 p.; p. 14: 8 p.; pt. 15: 8 p.

Signatures: [A]1; pt. 1: A⁴; pt. 2: A-B⁴; pt. 3: A-C⁴; pt. 4: A-B⁸; pt. 5: A-B⁸; pt. 6: A-C⁴ D⁴ (-D4) E-F⁴; pt. 7: A-D⁴; pt. 8: A⁴; pt. 9: A⁴; pt. 10: 3[par.]⁴; pt. 11: [A]⁴; pt. 12: A⁴; pt. 13: A⁴; pt. 14: 3[dagger]⁴; pt. 15: ***⁴

Signatures: pt. 1: A-B⁴; pt. 2: A⁴ (A2 verso blank); pt. 3: A-C⁴; pt. 4: A-B⁸; pt. 5: A-B⁸; pt. 6: A-D⁴; pt. 7: [A]⁴; pt. 8: A⁴; pt. 9: A⁴; pt. 10: 3[dagger]⁴; pt. 11: ***⁴; pt. 12: A⁴; pt. 13: A⁴; p. 14: 3[par.]⁴; pt. 15: A-C⁴ D⁴ (-D4) E-F⁴

Woodcut head and tail pieces; initials.

Alden, J.E. European Americana, 739/186.

Scott, J. Darien company, 312n.

Pilling, J. North American Indians, 2410.

ESTC T146360.

John Carter Brown Library copy has collective title page leaf from the Edinburgh, 1738 original issue "Essay on the antiquities of Great Britain and Ireland" bound between p. 30 and 33 of pt. 6, "A letter to Archimedes the old Caledonian, the first mathematician of the age, about the remote antiquities of Great Britain"; this leaf possibly not issued with set and is not counted in collation.
Table of contents: title: Part of Begly's preface ot an English-Irish dictionary / Specimen of an English-Irish dictionary; title: Focloir Gaoidheilge-Shagsonach: An Irish-English dictionary; title: A translation of the Irish preface, to Mr. Lhuyd's Irish dictionary; title: A compleat translation of the Welsh preface to Mr. Lhuyd's Glossography, or his Archeologia britannica; title: Collection of papers, &c.; title: A letter to Archimedes the old Caledonian, the first mathematician of the age, about the remote antiquities of Great Britain; title: Some more papers, and some more testimonies of the learned; title: To A. M. of D. E.; title: To the H. S. A. M. of; title: -.; title: To H. E. J. G. E. G. of S. C.; title: To the H. G. V. E.; title: To W. M. E. of M.; title: To the H. G. V. E.; title: To W. M. E. of M.; title: To Mr. C. A. M. D. P. of S. in the C. of E. &c. &c.