Page:The ancient language, and the dialect of Cornwall.djvu/70

 50 than with fondness. Whether at home, or in the distant colonies, the sound of the homely Cornish dialect falls pleasantly on the ear, and revives a host of kindly thoughts and feelings. As a dialect, it may be asserted, that it is one of the most quaint, expressive, and friendly-sounding of any in the kingdom, and its characteristics seem to be the reflex of the civil, manly, and independent character of the inhabitants themselves ; terms of eulogy given to them so long ago by Diodorus Siculus. The shadow of the dead Cornish language still hangs over the dialect, and gives it a character not easily described; due probably to the intermixture of words, and the constant use of names of places, persons, &c., such names being of ancient Cornish origin. The dialect is very capable of expressing odd ideas with fun and wit, and the '^sayings" whether imported or native, are frequently very amusing, and characteristic of the Cornish people, thus : " Laughing like a piskey," is curious as referring to the traditionary merrim.ent of the fairies. Again : — " Like Collins's cow," {i.e. worried in mind). Then again, the fun and superstition combined in the following proverb, which however is spoken out of Corn- wall also : Are two of the unluckiest things under the sun,"
 * ' A whistling woman, and a crowing hen,