34 



from Scuit, seeined a playful expression, adapted rather for the 

 iiiiaginaiion of the poet, than for the sober reason of the histo- 

 rian. Some, deri vii;g it from the Greek, thought it impHed obscu- 

 rity : a term fitted for the insular and conjectural situation of Erin- 

 Others, reflecting on the various tribes, which, from time to time, 

 she sheltered within her woods, gave it the Gothic interpretation of 

 a jumble, or a heap, composed of various materials. Some Irish 

 historians, of the middle or later ages, deduced it from Scota, an 

 Egyptian princess. Mr. AVhilacre derives it from the Gothic Scot 

 or Scut, which, signifying a refuge, he enlarges into ' wanderers or 

 < refuj.>,ees.®" Others say it was applied in derision, the word in 

 Gothic also importing a disease. Each author seems pleased with 

 his own construction of the word, though he could not obtain the 

 approbation of the rest, But the proper application of the term 

 has tiilherto remained, like one of the definitions, in obscurity. 



The obvious meaning of this denomination led Mr. Ledwich, 

 contrary to the opinion of our best writers, to bring the Nordmans 

 hither at an early period, from Letten, Letitia, or Lettenland, in 

 Livonia ; and some, ' the Gail or Gaill, from Semigallia, a province 

 of Livonia, bordering on the Lettmanni.^' In answer to which, I 

 observe, from INIr. Pinkerton, p. 8. an author whom he often quotes, 

 ' that the Lettic speech, to be found in Courland, Livonia, &c. 

 is a-kin to the Slavonic language, yet with many shades of dis- 

 ' tinction.' 



Porphyry, in the third century, Prosper, about the year 397, and 

 P. Orosins, in 417, were, I believe, the first authors, who speak of the 



82. V. 2. p. 233. W'hitt." Manch. V. 2. p. 233. An author of great resparcji, of 

 deep penetration, and who has literally served an apprenticeship to British antiquities. 



83. P. 18. 



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