40



DISCOVERV



OF



Carthaginians afterwards colonized, corresponds in every
respect with the situation and fertility of Ireland, being
distant only a few days' sailing from the straits of Gibral-
tar, while few countries can surpass it in beauty. Ireland
is also supplied with navigable rivers. In the researches
of eminent antiquarians, we are taught to believe beyond
the possibility of a doubt, that the Phoenicians were about
the first of the human race that visited Ireland, where
they established a colony. The chronicles of Ireland bear
testimony to this fact; and when we collate the Irish lain
guage with the Punic or Phoenician, we find so striking
an affinity, that the Irish or Celtic language may be said
to havt-been, in a great degree, the language of Hanni-
bal, Hamilcar, and Asdrubal. This opinion will at once
be confirmed by having recourse to Plautus, where we see
a Carthaginian speaking the Punic, which is no other than
almost the pure Celtic or Irish language. In a forthcomt
ing work, however, to be entitled "The Origin of the
Primitive Inhabitants of Great Britain and Ireland," we
shall prove this point so clearly, that to doubt it would
be denying the most glaring truth.
   "d The Phcenicians," says Diodorus in the first part
of the passage which we have transcribed, "c after a few
days' sailing beyond the pillars of Hercules, discovered
a large and fertile island in the ocean; and its beauty



induced



the



discoverers



to settle



thei



*e.7) It is certain



that the invention of the mariner's compass cannot be
dated from a much earlier period than the beo-inning of
the 14th century; and that towards the close of the same
century, the navigation of Europe was not extended be-
yond the limits of the Mediterranean. It is not reasona-
ble, therefore, to think that the Carthaginians should
venture from the sight of land and stretch out into



unfrequented and unknown seas, without the
of this sure guide, however prompted they might
been by the most ardent spirit of discovery, an(
couraaed by the patronage of princes. Such a boll



                c, ofC- 1
terprise is not at all congenial to the



cautious and



help
have
I en-
d en-
tim



I



I



I