LANGUAGE. 
1.95 
known, since we could not discover that they have anj 
traditionary history, or record of past events. Tlie 
curious laws, and some parts of their religion, certainly 
lead to the presumption of their having had connexion 
at a remote period with a civilized people. 
As far as the language is concerned we have but 
little assistance, since it bears so few and slight affini- 
ties with any of those at present known of Western 
Africa, as sliovm in the appendix on this subject by 
Dr. J. 0. Latham. What is more strange, is the fact, 
according to good authority, that two, if not more, 
diffei ent languages are spoken on this small island; 
thus in Ban-na-pa, Bassa-pu, Bas-sil-li, Re-bol-la, 
Barib-ba-ta, Bas-sa-bu, Bii-u-tonos, Tu-pi'd-la-pfil-la, 
that spoken is the Edeeyah of Vocabulary No. I. At 
West Bay, Bi-illi-pa, Ba-rio-bi, there is another dis- 
tinct one, while at a town, name unknown, on the 
south-east side, a peculiar dialect obtains, so unintel- 
ligible to those near Clarence Cove, that while barter- 
ing, with such as visit them to purchase the earthen 
pots and jars made there, the traffic is carried on 
altogether by signs. 
It is impossible to speak too highly of the disposi- 
tion and character of this singular race ; and had we 
not ample opportunities of becoming acquainted with 
them, we should hesitate to repeat the statements 
made by persons Avho have lived much among them. 
They are most generous and hospitable to strangers 
in their ovui rude way ; and wherever we visited 
