the Romanfh Language. 133 
livy co, although he erroneoufly pretends that they re- 
tained none of their ancient cnftoms, yet allows that they 
continued the ufe of their language, though fomewhat 
adulterated by a mixture with that of the Aborigines. 
I muft here interrupt the thread of this narration by 
obierving, that the only way to account for the prefent 
ufe of a different language in the center and mofl craggy 
parts of the Grey League, is by allowing that the Tuf- 
cans, who, from the delicacy of their conlfitutions and 
habits, were little able,, and lets inclined,, to encounter 
the hardfhips of lo fevere a climate and fo barren a foil, 
never attempted to mix with the original and more fturdy 
inhabitants of that unfavoured fpot ; but left them and 
their language, which could only be a Celtic idiom, in. 
the primitive hate in which they found themf m A 
But to proceed ; ; — feveral Roman families, dreading 
the fury of the Carthaginians under hannibal; and 
perhaps, fince during the rage of the civil wars, and the 
fubfequent opprefhve reigns, interior commotions arid 
foreign invalions, forfook the Latium and Campania, 
and reforted for a peaceful enjoyment of their liberty, 
fome into the iflands where Venice now Rands; and 
many into the mountains of the Grifons, where they 
chiefly fixed their relidence in the EngadinetW, as ap- 
pears not only from the teflimonies of authors iw, bur alfo 
(/) liv. -lib. v. c. 33'.. 
(m) SPRUCH. p. 214. MER. 1 . e. 
(n ) En Code Ino , perhaps the vulgar Roman phrafe exprefilrtg IjrCaphe Qnei. 
There are other etymologies, but all equally uncertain. 
( 0 ) SPItECH. p. IQ, 
from 
