be carried to considerable extent, and be productive of much philo- 

 logical entertainment and instructictn. 



A knowledge of the Irish language is easily acquired. It is 

 simple and regular in its structure, possesses few flexional heteroclites, 

 and the various sounds of its letters are so fixed to certain positions in 

 words, and with such regular combinations as to be almost inva- 

 riable and determinate. It will appear in the sequel that the student 

 is not yet furnished with sufficient aids for that acquirement. It is 

 presumed, that to facilitate the attainment of this purest branch of 

 the ancient language of the Celts, would be a work as desirable to 

 the native, as it would be valuable and interesting to the learned 

 foreigner. The former it would render familiar with the written me- 

 morials of the learning and wisdom of his forefathers. It would en- 

 able him to relish the sweets of our charming poetical compositions, 

 not inferior to those of the celebrated antients, which have so long 

 and so deservedly regulated the taste of mankind. His ideas would 

 be enriched by opening to his view the treasures and beauties of a 

 language " unparalleled in' describing nature in her fairest forms 

 and most stupendous operations," and in giving expression to the 

 strongest as well as the gentlest passions of the mind. To the ori- 

 ginality, copiousness and historical utility of our language, the most 

 enlightened antiquaries and profound philologers of Europe have 

 borne testimony. Facts and existing monuments corroborate their 

 opinions, and shew that they were not the result of prepossession, 

 interest or prejudice. The learned foreigner, attempting by ety- 

 mology to trace the radices of words in any of the languages found- 

 ed on the Celtic, or by ^antiquarian research, to develope the his- 

 tory of any of the early nations of Europe, would here find 

 lights to irradiate the hitherto impervious gloom of northern anti- 

 quity. This sequestered dialect would enable him to clear up many 



VOL. XV. C 



