1. THE words of our language may be conveniently divided into three classes: (i) primary; (ii) secondary; (iii) tertiary. 2. Primary words are mostly Anglo-Saxon. They express the most simple ideas, the most common natural objects, all ordinary actions, the fundamental necessities of a people, the designations of kindred, the ordinary terms of traffic, the strongest natural feelings and emotions. From this source are derived the names of the winds, the seasons, and divisions of time; the pronouns, numerals, prepositions, conjunctions, adverbs, auxiliary verbs, and almost all words in our national proverbs. 3. The secondary words are mostly of N.-French origin. To this class belong those words that express not things necessary, but those that are beneficial; that appertain to dignity and minister to luxury; M abstract and general terms; those especially which belong to four classes-law, war, chivalry, and the chase. 4. To the tertiary division belong words pertaining to art, science, philosophy, and theology; all scientific and technical terms. These are directly classical, and mainly of Latin origin. 5. Of words in Modern English about five-eighths are AngloSaxon, and two-eighths Latin, direct or indirect, through NormanFrench. 6. The occupation of Britain by various races will be shown hereafter by the prefixes and affixes, &c. of the geographical terms we employ. In addition, we have a few words bequeathed to us by the first Roman occupation, A.D. 43 to A.D. 418; a group of Latin ecclesiastical terms, introduced by Roman worship subsequent to the mission of Augustine; a small Celtic element; and, finally, words imported from the languages of every nation with which we have been brought into connection by war, commerce, or any historical circumstances. 7. Celtic Words. The following words, as being most familiar to us, are taken from a longer list given by Mr. Garnett, in vol. i. Proceedings of the Phil. Society :— 8. The few words bequeathed to us from the Roman occupation, A.D 43 to A.D 418, are chiefly geographical names :— LANCASTER, CHESTER, Exeter, &c., castra, a camp. 9. Words derived from Latin, relating to church rites, ceremonies, offices, &c. were introduced during the four centuries subsequent to the mission of Augustine. — Vide Ecclesiastical Terms, chap. XVII. 10. NAUTICAL terms are chiefly Danish and Dutch; such as, 11. Italian words chiefly relate to banking and the fine arts : 12. French words chiefly refer to military matters; besides which we have such as Studio |