ANGLO-SAXON PATRONYMICS. 457 
these counties were less under the power of the 
Anglo-Saxons, than the others, it is to be ex- 
pected that fewer Anglo-Saxon names of places 
will occur in them: and therefore, fewer of that 
kind, with which we are concerned at present. 
I know that other derivations of some of the names, 
now mentioned, have been given by authorities 
much greater than mine. Yet, these derivations 
are so at variance with the principles and struc- 
ture of the Anglo-Saxon tongue, that I conceive 
them altogether untenable. The “ing” which I 
have been endeavouring to trace up to a patro- 
nymic source, has been considered as a mere 
connecting particle. Every one, even but moder- 
ately acquainted with Anglo-Saxon, knows that 
it was like all early speeches, poor in connecting 
words, rich in cases and compounds. And, even 
supposing the ing were such a connecting par- 
ticle, and that it was a corruption either for in, 
or en, the only two forms with which it is liable 
to be confounded, still, this supposition does not 
mend the matter, there being no such particles as 
in and en, in that language. And again, were we 
to suppose them to be but terminations of the for- 
mer part of these compound names, we still fare 
no better, in, being before shown not to be any 
such termination ; and en is uncommon except in 
