[§ 696]. The classification which gives this arrangement now draws a line of distinction at the river Ribble, in Lancashire, which separates South from North Lancashire; whilst in Yorkshire, the East Riding, and that part of the West which does not belong to the Wapentake of Claro, belong to the class which is supposed to exclude the previous and contain the following dialects:—
[§ 697]. South Lancashire and Cheshire.—Sub-varieties of
the same dialects, but not sub-varieties of the previous ones.
The plural form in -en is a marked character of this dialect—at least of the Lancashire portion.
Supposed original population—Angle rather than Saxon.
Original political relations—Mercian rather than Northumbrian.
These last two statements apply to all the forthcoming areas north of Essex. The latter is a simple historical fact; the former supposes an amount of difference between the Angle and the Saxon which has been assumed rather than proved; or, at any rate, which has never been defined accurately.
The elements of uncertainty thus developed, will be noticed in [§§ 704]-708. At present it is sufficient to say, that if the South Lancashire dialect has been separated from the north, on the score of its having been Mercian rather than Northumbrian, the principle of classification has been based upon political rather than philological grounds; and as such is exceptionable.
[§ 698]. Shropshire, Staffordshire, and West Derbyshire.—Supposing the South Lancashire and Cheshire to be the Mercian (which we must remember is a political term), the Shropshire, Staffordshire, and West Derbyshire are Mercian also; transitional, however, in character.
Shropshire and Cheshire have a Celtic frontier.