A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder James De Mille
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191<br />
"That very difference can be shown to be all the stronger proof of a<br />
connection between them," said Oxenden.<br />
"I should like to know how."<br />
"The fact is," said Oxenden, "these letters are represented<br />
differently <strong>in</strong> the two languages <strong>in</strong> exact accordance with Grimm's<br />
Law."<br />
"By Jove!" cried Featherstone, "Grimm's Law aga<strong>in</strong>!"<br />
"Accord<strong>in</strong>g to that law," cont<strong>in</strong>ued Oxenden, "the letters of the<br />
alphabet ought to change their order. Now let us leave out the vowels<br />
and l<strong>in</strong>guals, and deal only with the mutes. First, we have <strong>in</strong> the<br />
Hebrew alphabet the medials B, G, and D. Very well; <strong>in</strong> the Kosek<strong>in</strong> we<br />
have stand<strong>in</strong>g first the th<strong>in</strong> letters, or tenues, accord<strong>in</strong>g to Grimm's<br />
Law, namely, P, K, T. Next we have <strong>in</strong> the Hebrew the aspirates F, Ch,<br />
Dh. In the Kosek<strong>in</strong> alphabet we have correspond<strong>in</strong>g to them the medials<br />
B, G, D. Next we have <strong>in</strong> the Hebrew the tenues, or th<strong>in</strong> letters P, K,<br />
T. In the Kosek<strong>in</strong> we have the correspond<strong>in</strong>g aspirates F, Ch, Th. The<br />
vowels, liquids, and sibilants need not be regarded just here, for the<br />
proof from the mutes is sufficient to satisfy any reasonable man."<br />
"Well," said Melick, "I for one am thoroughly satisfied, and don't<br />
need another s<strong>in</strong>gle word. The fact is, I never knew before the<br />
all-sufficient nature of Grimm's Law. Why, it can unlock any mystery!<br />
When I get home I must buy one--a tame one, if possible--and keep him<br />
with me always. It is more useful to a literary man than to any other.<br />
It is said that with a knowledge of Grimm's Law a man may wander<br />
through the world from Iceland to Ceylon, and converse pleasantly <strong>in</strong><br />
all the Indo-European languages. More must have had Grimm's Law stowed<br />
away somewhere about him; and that's the reason why he escaped the<br />
icebergs, the volcanoes, the cannibals, the subterranean channel<br />
monster, and arrived at last safe and sound <strong>in</strong> the land of the<br />
Kosek<strong>in</strong>. What I want is Grimm's Law--a nice tidy one, well tra<strong>in</strong>ed, <strong>in</strong><br />
good work<strong>in</strong>g order, and k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> harness; and the moment I get one I<br />
<strong>in</strong>tend to go to the land of the Kosek<strong>in</strong> myself."