ANGLO-SAXON ROOTS. 417 
Not to be tedious, we will select but another 
Anglo-Saxon root for discussion on the present 
occasion, and that is, Ric, Rica,—rich, reign, &c. 
This root remains, as far as I know, but in one 
word in the English language, and that is, 
‘bishopric ;” though it formerly was connected 
with most kinds of rule or sway held in the land. 
It differed from a ‘‘dom,” which, as we have seen 
above, included the power of life and death ; in 
that it only expressed the power and influence 
which rank, situation, and riches, ever have con- 
ferred, and ever will confer among mankind. It 
expresses a legitimate kind of government, such 
as must be, and will be exercised among us so 
long as distinctions prevail—founded upon the 
power which the superior acquirements of mind 
and wealth bestow. We hence find the term 
almost in all languages, where rule by influence 
of these kinds has prevailed. We see it in the 
Indian “ Rajah,’* in the Gothic “ Reiks,” in the 
German “ Reich,” in the Danish “ Rige,” in Old 
Norse and Icelandic “ Riki,” in Latin “ Rex,” in 
Welch “Ren, Pren, Bren, Brenhin;” and in 
Gaelic “ Righ.” Among the Greeks, however, 
where no such influence was felt, where all were 
heroes, and fit for bearing sway—they repudiated 
* Sanscrit. Ragan. 
