Celtic Mythology and Religion

20 CELTIC MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION.
and lastly, a discussion as to the origin of language
is thus rendered possible. Exactly the same methods
have been employed in the elucidation of myths,
with a success that, on the whole, is gratifying.
In so airy and fanciful a subject, results of such strict
scientific accuracy cannot be obtained as in the
kindred science of language. And a good deal of
harm has also been done, even with scientific methods,
by pressing some theories of explanation too far.
Some Mythologists, for example, are too apt to
reduce every myth to a myth about the sun, and
hence the evil repute of the " solar myth " theory.
But this is merely a good theory injudiciously used;
it does not alter the fact of the importance in
Mythology of the sun worship.
The theory of the cause of myth that finds most
favour at the present time is that which explains
myth in connection with, and dependence on, language
; while at the same time due regard is had to
the other possible sources of it in allegory, analogy,
and real, though exaggerated, events. The way
in which language gives rise to myth can, however,
be understood only after a consideration of the
mental powers, state of culture, and consequent
interpretation of nature which existed among primitive
and myth-making men. Language is but the
physical side, as it were, of mythology, and the
mental side of it must be considered before the action
of language can be appreciated properly. The origin
of myth springs from the same cause as the origin