268 On the Physical Facts contained in the Bible, 
of human science will soon render them intelligible. This is 
not the least of the advantages of the sciences, nor the least 
valuable inheritance we can leave to our descendants. They 
will not forget, more than we, that Scripture is a treasure 
open to all; and that it is the only book from which those 
that borrow run no risk of being accused of plagiarism. The 
ideas which they may draw from it have already belonged to 
millions of intelligences ; but if they extend them, if they 
understand them better than their predecessors, they will 
so much the more belong to them, since they shall have 
been the first to perceive them. 
Note-—We read, in Genesis, xi. 1. Erat autem terra labii unius 
et sermonum eorumdem, which may be translated thus :—‘* There was 
then upon the earth only one language and one speech.”” The unity of 
the primeval language is perhaps more difficult to establish than that of 
the human species. In fact, we are without the most essential data for 
solving the question. We shall, therefore, confine ourselves to a few 
observations. 
Tf all the varieties or different races of men are derived from one stock, 
it follows, almost as a necessary consequence, that this must also have 
been the case with their language, however diversified it may be. Now, 
it is almost demonstrated that the White race is the most ancient. We 
ought, therefore, to find among the idioms used by this race this pre- 
eminently primitive language—the mother of all the rest. 
The proof of the primitive unity of language is to be found, not only 
in the unity of the human species, but also in the confusion of languages 
which took place at the building of the tower of Babel. If confusion 
took place then, it could not have existed before. 
The history of the human race informs us, that at its origin there was 
only one speech (wnus sermo.) But it is difficult for us now to go back 
to that primitive stock, from which have sprung the various idioms which 
the different nations of the earth employ to express their ideas. All 
that is proved by the study of their characters, structure, and construc- 
tion, is, that the most diverse among them have a family air and resem- 
blance, which reveals a common crigin.* 
If we assert the contrary, we shall be forced to establish as many 
human races as there are idioms without analogy or mutual connection ; 
that is it say, we should have to establish hundreds. This consequence 
would not be very philosophical ; it would oblige us, at least, to multiply 
the races almost in the inverse ratio of the number of individuals who 
formed part of them. In fact, the smallest tribes, and the most subdi- 
vided of savage nations, often present the most notable and strongly 
* The knowledge of this primitive language is of no consequence to Scripture ; 
it only interests philosophers. The Bible, accordingly, contains no details in 
regard to it. 
