( xxxvii )
Before I quit this subject of the Gothic or Teutonic Languages, I must observe, that the old Scandinavian Tongue is commonly called Cimbric, or Cimbro-Gothic, as it was the dialect that chiefly prevailed among the Gothic Tribes, who inhabited the Cimbrica Chersonesus, &c. But whether the ancient CIMBRI, and their confederates the TEUTONES, who made the irruption into the Roman Empire in the time of Marius[1], were a Celtic or a Gothic people, may perhaps admit of fome disquisition.
They who contend that they were Celts, may urge the resemblance of the name of Cimbri to that of Cymri, by which the Britons have always called themselves in their own language: They may also produce the authority of Appian, who expressly calls the Cimbri Celts; as well as of several of the Roman Authors, who scruple not to name them Gauls[2]. It may further be obferved in favour of this opinion, that the emigration of fo large a body of the old Celtic inhabitants, would facilitate the invasion of the Gothic tribes who succeeded them in these northern settlements, and will account for the rapid conquests of Odin and his Asiatic followers: It might also be conjectured, that the small scattered remains of these old Celtic Cimbri, were the Savage Men who lurked up and down in the forests and mountains, as described by the ancient Icelandic Historians[3], and who, in their size and ferocity, so well correspond with the
among our countrymen fo late as the reign of Queen Elizabeth: Thus, in the famous libel of STUBS, intitled, "The Difcoverie of a gaping "Gulf, whereinto England is like to be fwallowed by another French "Marriage," &c. printed Anno 1579. fmall 8vo. (Sign. C. 7. b.) The Author talks of the Queen's "having the Kingrike in her own per- "fon;" meaning the regal dominion, authority, &c. See alfo Verfti- gan's Antiquities, Lond. 1634. p. 215.
- ↑ Described below, in Chap. II.
- ↑ “Appianus in Illyricis Cimbros Celtas, addito quos Cimbros vocant, appellavit. Et evolve Florum, Lib. III. Cap. 3. Salustium Bell. Jugurth. in fine. Rufum Brev. Cap. VI. qui omnes Cimbros diserté Gallos, et ab extremis Galliæ profugos, nominarunt.” Speneri Notitia Germaniæ Antiquæ. Hal. Magd. 1717. 4:o. p. 123.
- ↑ See below, p. 35, &c.
