Page:Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute - Volume 1 (2nd ed.).djvu/93

Rh and afterwards the Franks and Normans, with the Kymry, (who occupied the north side of France more particularly), imposed their pronunciation and orthography on the whole of France. The distinction of character and appearance between the Gaels and Kymry of France is well described in Merivale's "History of the Romans under the Empire," Vol. I., chapter 5; and amongst other points he quotes from Tacitus the fact confirmed by Cæsar, that the Kymry "affected to have a German origin," and imitated the Germans. This would agree with the theory I have propounded, that the Kymry as well as the Teutonic Franks and Scandinavian Normans introduced the present "continental" pronunciation of vowels into France, and controlled the orthography.

The Kymry who followed the Celts into Britain seem to have been a different horde from the Belgic Kymry who "affected Germanism" in France; and their numbers would seem almost to have been smaller, for the Gaels held their own in Scotland, Ireland, and great parts of Wales.

With some diffidence, but on the whole with a reasonable expectation of approval, I offer my theory, that the English vowel sounds come through the Celtic portion of our mixed race, to the criticism of philologists; and I am rather encouraged in the view I have taken by the success which has attended the labours of such men as Dr. Guest and Mr. Matthew Arnold, in ascribing much more of our language and civilization than used to be conceded to the Celtic inhabitants of Great Britain.



commence my notes by saying that the island has been hitherto erroneously called Opara, but on my recent visit to it I inquired particularly as to its proper native name, which I found was pronounced nearly as if spelt with an L and two p's, or Lappa. Opara, they said, was "English name." In future it will be called Rapa.

This island, like other places one might mention, has acquired a temporary and adventitious value principally from its position and the possession of a harbour. It was first discovered by the English navigator Vancouver, since which time it has apparently been very little visited except by small trading vessels from the neighbouring islands. Vancouver described it truly as rugged, formed of craggy mountains, with very little level ground; the narrow valleys between the precipitous hill sides affording the only space for a limited cultivation. 