474 



similar to those which characterise the westerly countries of the 

 Gael. But the author dwelt most upon the account of the Tur- 

 ditani of Spain, as given by Pliny, to whom an early introduction of 

 letters was ascribed, too-ether with the use of valuable works of art 

 wrought in the precious metals, resembling such as are constantly 

 discovered in Ireland, which indicate the very early state of civil- 

 ization in this country. The author then entered into a detailed 

 description, from personal observation, of the greater or less fre- 

 quency of the Gaelic type in France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales ; 

 and of the causes to which its disappearance in many extensive dis- 

 tricts niiffht have been attributable. 



After these explanations, the general question was considered, — 

 What race ought to be regarded as aboriginal in the British islands ? 

 Llwyd had long since shewn, from the language of topography, that 

 the Gauls had preceded the Cymri in the occupation of Britain. But 

 it was asked, — if there might not have been a still earlier race exist- 

 inof in this country than the maritime and commei'cial Gauls ? 



To this question an answer was given in the affirmative. Taci- 

 tus, in his enumeration of British races, has sucjaested, that an an- 

 cient Iberian stock, remarkable for a swarthy complexion and curled 

 hair, might have passed over and occupied the seat of the Silures (in 

 South Wales) ; — a British tribe, with whom he was disposed to iden- 

 tify this primitive race of Spain. 



It was then stated, that the author had collected abundant evi- 

 dence which leads to the conclusion, that an Iberian, or Aquitanian 

 race, was an older one in Britain than either of the two whose pre- 

 tensions he had discussed ; but that it would be in vain to establish 

 their aborio-inal claims, unless the histoi-y of the Cymri and the 

 Gael, in reference not only to their Asiatic sojourning place, but also 

 to their westerly course of migration, was well understood. He, 

 lastly, expressed his hope, that, if the aboriginal claims of the Ibe- 

 rian race meet with confirmation, some light would be thrown upon 

 the fossil bones of the human species which are found in caves, or 

 buried deep in strata of peat, occasionally associated with the remains 

 of animals now extinct, which have had an existence prior even to the 

 records of history. 



