420 



appreciation of Old Irish on the Continent. There is, however, no 

 separate writing on Celtic, but various papers in periodicals, and some 

 chapters in the Compendium. 



Connected with this part of his studies is a feature which will show 

 to you in what unselfish spirit he pursued his researches. He had started 

 a theory, if I am not mistaken, before Zeuss' work appeared, that there is 

 a more intimate connexion between the Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin than 

 between other Indo-European languages, and that there had existed 

 what he called an Aryopelasgan nation, continuing together as one, 

 after Celts, Slavonians, Germans, &c, had separated from the original 

 stock. 



I myself, some time after showed cause, guided or at least encou- 

 raged by Mr. W. Stokes, why we should believe that there is rather a 

 most intimate connexion between the Latin and the Celtic, and that 

 they are nearer to each other than any other two branches of the 

 Indo-Germanic family. 



Schleicher, after some hesitation, has frankly adopted this theory in 

 the last edition of his Compendium — no slight thing to do for a mature 

 scholar in favour of a young man, whom he might easily crush by the 

 weight of his authority ; but this shows the uprightness of the man, and 

 at the same time the interest he took in everything Celtic. In this latter 

 point of view, may I remark that he has a special right to have his me- 

 mory honoured by you, and kept fresh and green in the hearts and 

 minds of Irishmen ? 



I cannot part from such a man without some attempt at trying to 

 pourtray his individuality. I did not know him personally ; my rela- 

 tions with him have been exclusively scientific, and, as I have already 

 observed, August Schleicher has shown himself to me most courteous. 

 As he acted towards me, the younger man, so he did towards those 

 of his own age. After having refused the Russian professorship, offered 

 to himself, he recommended to it a man who had been his scientific ad- 

 versary, perhaps even his personal enemy. 



Of his patriotism I have given proof before. Attached to Germany, 

 attached to his native duchy, he seems to have been equally attached 

 to his family. Sentimentality was not in his nature — indeed, it would 

 be difficult to give vent to sentiment in philological writings. Never- 

 theless, every now and then a few words escaped unawares from his 

 pen, which clearly show that the accomplished scholar was also a true 

 man. 



In the Preface to the " Lithuanian Anthology" he informs his 

 readers that, after having collected the various pieces composing the 

 volume, he wrote out the signification of the words occurring in it on 

 paper slips, " which my wife put into alphabetical order" — perhaps not 

 a very exalted task, but yet showing that refined womanly sympathy 

 accompanied August Schleicher through his severe labours. 



August Schleicher retained throughout his life his respect for me- 

 taphysical studies, and his veneration for his great master, Hegel, 



