The following Observations having been omitted, in their proper
places; I beg leave to insert them as an Appendix.
In page 37. a passage is cited from the Universal History, Vol.
XX. where it is said, on the supposed authority of Hakluyt, that
Prince Madog made three Voyages to the West. Humphry Llwyd, the
Translator of Caradoc, and who continued the History to the death
of Prince Llewelyn about the Year, 1270, mentions only two. When
Madog first sailed it does not appear that he had any particular
place in view; but discovering a fruitful Land, he returned to
his native Country, and having collected together a considerable
number of Men and Women, he went back to the Friends he had left
behind. This is what Humphry Llwyd says, and adds, "that he bid
his final adieu to his native Country."
Hakluyt's account is that Prince Madog, "prepared certain Ships
with Men and Munition, and fought Adventures by Seas, sailed West.
That he returned to his own Country, and declared the pleasant
and fruitful Countries he had seen without Inhabitants; that he
got together, a number of Men and Women to go with him; that he
took leave of his Friends, and returned to his Companions, whom
he had left behind." Llwyd and Hakluyt agree in saying that Madog
arrived in that Western Country in the Year 1170, and returned
back, and went the second time with Ten Sailes." The Authors of
the Universal History seem to have mistook Hakluyt. Besides Hakluyt
says, he received this account from Guttun Owen; from whom Llwyd
also received his Information; it is not therefore likely that
Hakluyt should differ so materially from his Authorities.
In page 51, it is observed that when the Romans invaded this Island,
the Ancient Britons used the Greek Alphabetical Character in writing.
This is expressly said by Julius Cæsar. The Welsh tongue on this
Day bears a strong resemblance, in Words and Letters to the Hebrew
and Greek. Instances may be seen in a Pamphlet, published in 1783,
entitled, _Thoughts_ on the Origin of Language, &c. The Gutturals
in the three Languages are founded much alike. The [Illustration],
Hebrew, the X, Greek. and the Ch. in Welsh are pronounced exactly
alike. The English, make very little, if any difference in
pronunciation, between the Greek X, and the K, both are sounded
like the English K. but they have a very different sound; of which
no Idea can be conveyed, but by articulation. It is very familiar
to the Welsh, and to the Scots, Irish and Germans.
The, _w_ Omega, Greek, in the Welsh, is the O long, and of the same
figure, and sound. Thus in English, "good" in Welsh is written,
"gwd."
There can hardly be any doubt but that the Roman Characters were
introduced by the Romans; and, as more simple, soon became general.
The Greek, of consequence, gradually declined. However the Britons
seems to have preserved the sound, though not the Form of their
Alphabetical Characters.
It may however be thought probable, as hath been above observed,
that the Scriptures were written in the Welsh Language, but in
Greek Characters.
* * * * *
Published by the same Author.
Thoughts on the Origin of Language, and on the most rational and
natural manner of teaching the Languages. p. 2s.
A free Enquiry into the Authenticity of the first and second Chapters
of St. Matthew's Gospel. &c. 2d Edition. Much enlarged p. 4s.