are to the modern English scholar, it should rather be a matter of 

 surprise that the identity discernible in this instance could still exist ; 

 and can only be accounted for by the comparative singleness (if it 

 may be so said) of the Carthaginian origin, and the long seques- 

 tered and unconquered state of the Irish. A less conformity in the 

 languages might perhaps prejudice the opinion of their affinity, while 

 more would but throw a shade upon the annals that record the re- 

 moteness of their identity.* 



Notwithstanding the misgivings of Doctor O'Conorj-f* the Writer 

 of this Essay ventures to appeal to the remarkable extract above men- 

 tioned from the Pcenulus of Piautus, while he believes it has the 

 additional interest of being almost the only surviving specimen;^: of 

 the language of Dido, of the Philoeni, and of Hannibal! It is not 

 intended to weaken the position by diffiising it over space, or to put 

 forward the passage in question in any new collocation, much less to 

 attempt a translation that should be evidently vague in consequence 

 of the changes before accounted for. We wish to approach the sub- 

 ject temperately, and without any of that etymological lunacy which 

 Pinkerton so justly censures ; the lines shall be given as they appear 

 in Piautus, only italicised in such connexions as present obvious and 

 legitimate affinities with Irish terms ; premising, that they are intro- 

 duced where Hanno, a Carthaginian, one of the dramatis personte, 

 having long sought for his daughters, who were stolen away by rob- 

 bers, arrives in Qitolia, where they have been sold, and it will be for 



y/^ * From a parity of reasoning, the Tiish language, and consequently the above passage from 

 Piautus, have been adjusted, as by Bocliart, &c. to the Hebrew ; and from the same great truth 

 of ancient identity, the comparatively uncorrupted written language of Ireland affords at this 

 day, as shall be noticed hereafter, almost the only talisman to unlock the treasures of Celtic 

 literature. See post, " The Conclusion." 



t Rev. Hib. Scriptores, Proleg. ix. 1 Vide Brerewood on Languages, p. 07. 



