204 Distinctive Characteristics of the 



altogether inexplicable if nations thus situated did not con- 

 tract habits and usages, and, instinctively modes of life and 

 action, possessing towards each other many striking resem- 

 blances." Here also we may draw an illustration from the 

 old world ; for, notwithstanding the comparative proximity of 

 the Hindoos and Egyptians, and the evident analogies in their 

 architecture, mythology and social institutions, there is now 

 little reason to believe them cognate nations ; and the resem- 

 blances to which we have adverted have probably arisen from 

 mutual intercourse, independent of lineal affiliation. And so 

 with the nations of America. The casual appearance of ship- 

 wrecked strangers would satisfactorily explain any sameness 

 in the arts and usages of the one and the other, as well as 

 those words which are often quoted in evidence of a com- 

 mon origin of language, but which are so few in number as 

 to bo readily accounted for on the foregoing principle. 



The entire number of common words is said to be one 

 hundred and four between the American languages and those 

 of Asia and Australia ; fortythree with those of Europe ; and 

 forty with those of Africa, making a total of one hundred and 

 eightyseven words. But taking into account the mere coinci- 

 dence by which some of these analogies may be reasonably 

 explained, I would inquire, in the language of an ingenious 

 author, whether these facts are sufficient to prove a connexion 

 between four hundred dialects of America and the various 

 languages of the old world ? 



Even so late as the year 1833, a Japanese junk was wrecked 

 on the northwest coast of America, and several of the crew 

 escaped unhurt to the shore ; and I have myself seen 

 some porcelain vessels which were saved on that occasion* 

 Such casualties may have occurred in the early periods of 

 American history ; and it requires no effort of the imagination 

 to conceive the influence these persons might have exerted, 

 in various respects, had they been introduced to the ancient 

 courts of Peru and Mexico. They might have contributed 

 something to extend or at least to modify the arts and sciences 

 of the people among whom they were thrown, and have 

 added a few words to the national language. 



