In the original prolusion and in the present preface the writer has simply tried to prepare the way for investigators of greater gifts. Here the Philologist is in his proper field. In pursuing this work, he becomes the genealogist of a race. Names of localities, names of men, are subject—like all other words—to every variety of phonetic change, and, it may be said, are in a perpetual state of flux. But there is a soul that survives all changes. It is for the scholar to catch it on the wing and fix a fleeting syllable for all time.
[XVIII]
The student who is interested in this subject may find some help in the following series of Names (to which frequent reference has been made), compiled by an anonymous English scholar whose learning and ability have been recognized in the critical reviews. It was to one of these reviews that the present writer was indebted for suggestions that at once quickened his interest in M. Du Chaillu and his researches, and induced him in the republication of the English writer's list (taken from a London Directory) to add to the selections a few names of obvious Scandinavian derivation—Danish, Swedish, and Old Norse. Any fixed rule of selection, in a discussion like this, it is difficult to apply. Readers who comprehend how easily errors creep into an ordinary record of "family" pedigrees will make due allowance for errors that may be found in this modestly illustrative Anglo-Norman list, in which there is but little attempt to trace lineal family descent. With a body of names so pregnant with significance as this, the credentials of any branch of the Anglo-Norman race in any part of the earth will be recognized as good. The difficulties of the problem are apparent to all. Its interest and importance it is impossible to exaggerate or deny. If more simply stated, probably it were more easily understood, but, failing in simplicity of statement, very frequent repetitions may be excused.
The origin of the general discussion ought to encourage every scholar. According to the pleasing conception of the great Scottish romancer, the originator of this controversy was a Saxon slave who understood the art of deducing philosophic conclusions from unconsidered trifles. While herding his master's swine in the West Riding of Yorkshire, he spoke to a fellow thrall who stalked about in the full enjoyment of Saxon freedom with a brazen collar about his neck:
"And swine is good English," said the jester. "But how call you the sow when she is flayed, drawn and quartered, and hung up by the heels like a traitor?"
"Pork," said Gurth.
"And pork, I think, is good Norman French. When alive and in charge of a Saxon slave, she goes by a Saxon name. She is a Norman when dressed for the table in the castle hall. What dost thou think of that, friend Gurth?"
"It is but too true doctrine, friend Wamba, however it got into thy fool's pate."