Page:The ancient language, and the dialect of Cornwall.djvu/25

them at that time ' . . . . 'and as the English language in its progress travelled from East to West; we may reasonably conclude, that about this time it had not penetrated far into the County, as Menheniot lies towards its eastern quarter. "From the time the liturgy was established in the Cornish churches in the English language, the Cornish tongue rapidly declined. "Hence Mr. Carew, who published his 'Survey of Cornwall* in 1602, notices the almost total extirpation of the language in his days. He says, 'the principal love and knowledge of this language, liveth in Dr. Kennall the civilian, and with him lyeth buried; for the English speech doth still encroach upon it and hath driven the same into the uttermost skirts of the shire. Most of the inhabitants can speak no word of Cornish ; but few are ignorant of the English; and yet some so affect their own, as to a stranger they will not speak it; for if meeting them by chance, you inquire the way, or any such matter, your answer shall be, ' Meea nauidua cowzasawzneck ; ' I can speak no Saxonage.' " Carew's ' Survey ' was soon followed by that of Norden, by whom we are informed that the Cornish language was chiefly confined to the western hundreds of the county, particularly to Pen with, and Kirrier, and yet; "(which is to be marveyled) though the husband and wife, parents and children, master and servants, do natur- ally communicate in their native language; yet there is none of them in a manner, but is able to converse with a stranger in the English tongue, unless it be some obscure