Page:Essays ethnological and linguistic.djvu/227

Rh afforded proves that the Biscayan language is one of extreme antiquity, and that it was the speech of a people living in a highly artificial state of civilization.

There are no traditions which reach to a more ancient era than the time of Charlemagne. Larrategui indeed in his work entitled "Epitome de los Señores de bizcaya" gives the names of the immediate descendants of Tubal the son of Japhet the first Lords of Biscay; but neither he or any other writers give any details which can be critically considered worthy of notice until after the expedition of Charlemagne.

It is true that none of the Biscayan writers allege any such Eastern origin for their nation; they rather seek to show that their ancestors once possessed the whole of Spain, and were afterwards driven into the mountains of Biscay in the same manner as the Welsh are the descendants of the ancient Britons who were driven into Wales. It can however scarcely be doubted that great exaggeration has taken place in the attempts which have been made to prove an identity between ancient Spanish names of cities and inscriptions, and the modern Biscayan language; but to whatever extent they may be considered well founded, as these are mostly found on the coast and in many cases in places to which a Phœnician or Carthaginian origin is to be assigned, the result is favourable to the line of argument which it is here sought to advocate; the several localities in question and the mining-country of Biscay having probably received colonies of kindred origin from the Eastern shores of the Mediterranean. In conclusion it is right to state that there does not appear to be any trace of Eastern words in connection with religious services, but there seems to be some reference to the worship of Astarte in the names of the days of the week, which are now spelt in the following manner.

Igandea Sunday

Astelena Monday

Asteartea Tuesday

Asteazquena Wednesday

Osteguna Thursday

Osterala Friday

Lanunbata Saturday

C. M. K.