28 



the Britons into its western wilds, continued to nominate those Gauls 

 or Britons Weallas or Wallish, and their country Weallasland, 

 wliich ^vere abridged into Walsh or Welsh, and Welshland.'^°- 

 Another body of Britons having settled in Cornwall, this region 

 was called Corn-WeaUas.'^^ And these appellations were synoni- 

 mous with Gallish, Galsh, Gelsh, Gaulish, which, in the language 

 of Ireland, are now equivalent with the'i^ord Gaoillach, which 

 means Irish jjeople. 



This Gothic pronunciation of Gaoill or Caoill, like an ill name 

 applied to an exalted personage, having pursued them from south 

 to north, and from east to west, is a presumptive proof that 

 the first inhabitants of Britain were the offspring of Gauls.*^-- And 

 as such they should speak the same language. Accordingly we 

 find in the 6tli book of Coesar, that it was customary among those 

 Gauls, who were studious of the Druid discipline, to pass over to 

 Britain for instruction. And, as they had no books in either conn- 

 try, it is likely the instruction was conununicated through the 

 medium of the Gallic tongue. 



Tacitus says, their holy rites and superstition are similar to those 

 of the Galli, and the two languages differ but little.'^^- Beside it 

 uppears from Cssar, that the merchants of Gaul traded with those 

 of Britain, and through this commerce his design of invading Bri- 

 tain was discovered to them : that the Britons were in the habit of 

 sending auxiliaries to Gaul, omnibus fere Gallicis belli?, ahnost 

 upon every occasion. '^■*- 



This close correspondence in a connnon language, conjoined wilii 

 similar manners, customs, and religion, induced Tacitus to say, that, 



60. Mem, 15;). 61. IJcm, 152. and Camden. 



62. ' Ferocissimos esse Gallorum, qui sub septentrionibus habitant.' Diodor. 1. 5. 



63. Tacili, Agricol. vita, 11. ' Eoium sacra deprehendens, superstitionem peiauasione. 

 Pernio baud muUum diversus.' 



6'1. Jul. Caesar, de bel. Gal. lib. 4. Sect. 13. 



m 



