37 



CHAPTER X. 



On the people who constructed the tombs and used the language 

 usually called Lycian. 



In the following pages we are induced to bring 

 together such evidences, historical and existing, 

 as seem to throw light on the history and origin 

 of the monuments, — rock-tombs of a peculiar 

 architecture, — and the language of the inscrip- 

 tions carved upon them, now found in Lycia. 



But in thus venturing to offer an opinion, 

 formed, however, from a careful inquiry into 

 the value of these evidences, as far as we are able 

 to judge, we do so with deference to those who 

 have hitherto adhered to the generally received 

 opinion of the Lycian origin, of the monuments 

 and inscriptions rather than to that of their 

 having been the work of foreign settlers. And 

 in putting forward our arguments and conclu- 

 sions, we do so with no other pretension than that 



