results of my own thought. But besides my own reasonings and speculations it sets forth the views of those who are incomparably more entitled to a hearing. A glance at almost any page will show that the authorities quoted are neither few nor unimportant; and, as I have carefully avoided an idle parade of learned names, I can assure the reader that there are very few references in the book-certainly none of any importance which have not been derived immediately from my own reading. And, more than this, I have often fortified my position by the authority of others in cases where the thought was my own, and was expressed in my own language. In one or two places, which are always carefully pointed out, I closely follow the reasonings of the late Professor Heyse, whose book (System der Sprachwissenschaft) is one of the wisest and most beautiful treatises on this subject which have ever fallen into my hands. The reader too will find constant allusions to other profound philological writings, which I have always studied with great profit. I have placed at the end of the book a list of the works from which I have derived most advantage, and which have been most constantly in my hands. In conclusion I have only to thank those critics who bestowed such indulgent consideration on my previous labours. Their approval, and the still more valuable notice of my work by some very eminent scholars, both English and continental, have encouraged me to proceed. My present book is solely addressed to serious students. I am indifferent to the view taken of it by the prejudiced and the ignorant; yet as I am solely actuated by a desire for truth, I have tried to eliminate every expression which was likely to cause needless offence. If any such have escaped my notice I trust that they will be attributed to a lively interest in my subject, and that no one will consider them to have been dictated by a presumptuous or unkindly tone of mind. I shall be the first to regret it, if I have ever been misled by the zeal of controversy into any want of amenity or moderation. I cannot hope to have escaped errors, and for these I venture to ask an indulgent consideration. These pages have been written, and the proof-sheets corrected, under a pressure of other avocations which has often made me hesitate whether I ought not wholly to abandon this subject to those who can study it under greater advantages. Any mistakes into which I have fallen are due to this cause, and not either to wilfulness or carelessness. Whether they are pointed out by friendly or by unfriendly critics, I shall always be ready to acknowledge and to correct them with cheerfulness and candour. HARROW: August, 1865. (i.) Deserted children would probably evolve a language (ii.) Animal-names among the earliest words (iii.) Animal-names naturally Imitative Their value as suggesting the Idea of Language Wild-children. Their Onomatopoeias CHAPTER III. THE NAMING OF ANIMALS. Primitive necessity for Onomatopoeia |