Page:The ancient language, and the dialect of Cornwall.djvu/43

 23 Cornish differ from modern, and this may be illustrated by a very short example, thus : — the phrase " Many thanks to God" expressed in old Cornish was, "Maur gras tha Deu," in modern Cornish it was "Meor 'ras tha Dew," which is contracted into one word " Merastadu " and mean- ing the same. Although Dr. Pryce has been praised for the Cornish ojrammar and vocabulary bearing his name, yet it should be noticed that the greater credit is due to Tonkin and Gwavas. Besides the writers of Cornish History, &c. already named, Davies Gilbert, Whitley Stokes, and Williams, have done a great deal in preserving the remains of the old Cornish language. To Whitley Stokes we are much indebted, as may be seen stated in the Preface to Williams's Cornish Dictionary, of which further notice will be taken. From what precedes, and follows, it will be seen that the remains of the ancient Cornish language are much more extensive than is generally supposed. In the '^ Western Morning News" of August 2, 1871, there was published a list of the Gwavas manuscripts, which is very suitable for insertion in this place, and so useful, that it cannot fail to be of interest to any one who feels any liking for the subject. At the end of the list are a few remarks about Gwavas, &c. THE GWAVAS MANUSCRIPTS. The Gwavas manuscripts were formerly in the pos- session of the Eev. William Veale, of Trevaylor. After his decease they passed to the Rev. William Wriothesley