OLD ARYAN WORDS 



with the rare fascination which surrounds the 

 study of the historic lessons conveyed in words. 

 Yet possibly to some reader it may have come 

 as a novel and striking thought that out of mere 

 grammars and dictionaries a trustworthy picture 

 of the long-forgotten past may be reconstructed. 

 Inadequate as our illustrations have been, none 

 can fail to perceive the historic interest and value 

 of the information which has been gained in this 

 way. Inquiries of this sort need, no doubt, much 

 caution and sagacity to be conducted success- 

 fully ; but when properly sifted there is no more 

 unimpeachable testimony to the past than that 

 which the aspect of words gives us. For the 

 changes of vowel and consonant proceed accord- 

 ing to general laws which observations may de- 

 tect, but with which no individual will is able to 

 tamper. And thus it is that in the winged word 

 which seems to perish in its flight through the air 

 we have nevertheless the most abiding record, 

 though unwittingly preserved, of the knowledge 

 and achievements of mankind. 



August, 1876. 



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