_Cimmerii_ (Vol. v., p. 188.).--The belief that the Cymry are descended
from Gomer can prove very little as to the restlessness of those who
hold it; and if it is making progress, the opinion must be supported by
probability: consequently a mere denial will not dispel the illusion.
Authors quite as remarkable for their matter-of-fact opinions as A. N.
may be, have not rejected the connexion of the Cymry with Gomer. For
instance, Volney, in his attacks on Scripture history, when examining
Gen. x. on Gomer, adopts an argument in support of this paternity,
though not in its Biblical sense, viewing Gomer as a chief. As it is not
an unusual circumstance for a nation to adopt the name of its patriarch
or founder (and on this point I would refer to a note to Gibbon's
_Decline_, chap. lxiv.), I trust I shall be excused for believing myself
descended from Gomer, until decided evidence is adduced that I am not.
Pompeius Festus I am unacquainted with; but on consulting Plutarch, in
Mario, the following contradictory statements may be seen: "The Germans
called banditti _Cimbri_;" and, "Hence, therefore, these barbarians who
came into Italy first issued; being anciently called _Cimmerii_, and
afterwards _Cimbri_, and the appellation was _not at all from their
manners_."
That the old Germans may have called robbers _Cimbri_, does not prove
that word implies _robbers_, or anything of the kind; but it indicates
that the intrusion of the old Germans on the lands of the Cimbri caused
the invaded to make reprisals on the invaders; and then the injured
Germans connected or identified the Cimbrian name with that of enemy or
robber.