BRITAIN THE GREAT ISLAND. 25 
absolutely, or in reference to those smaller 
islands, Ireland, the Scilly Islands, Orkneys, 
and the rest, which contribute to the formation 
of the British cluster or archipelago. I am 
reminded of this by the Two Sicilies them- 
selves; for, with reference to the island of 
Sicily, the adjacent part of the Continent was 
anciently called Broad Italy; as was also Con- 
tinental Denmark, in contradistinction to the 
Danish Islands, Broad Denmark. But Broad 
is another word for Great; and I believe 
that Magna Brittania signifies ‘ Broad Bri- 
tain ;’ and that, more anciently, and before 
the meaning of the primitive term was over- 
looked, the word Britain itself signified 
neither more nor less than the Great or — 
Broad Land, or Island. I must acknow- 
ledge, too, that, besides valuing the title I 
propose, as connected with philology and 
history, I should consider it as ministering 
to that moral union of the Two Britains, which 
is so highly to be desired, and which seems 
so difficult to be attained. If Ireland were 
called West Britain, and Great Britain, East 
Britain; then, the sisterhood, or the brother. 
hood, of the two islands would be familiar- 
D 
