The genuine history of the Britons asserted against Mr. Macpherson ...

THE BRITONS ASSERTED. 6i
was derived from the Celtic language. They
were a large aiibciation «:f tribes in Gaul, and
mufl therefore have been the fame in Germany
^' They had feized no lefs than one third
of all Gaul - : And they muft therefore have
been very confiderable for their power in Germany.
And the name of Belg feems to have
been highly chara£teriftic of their greatnefs,
as Bale in Irifh fignifies Strong or Mighty. This
iEtymon at lead does not, like Mr. Macpherfon's,
violate any proprieties of criticifm. It confronts
no evidence of records. And it is not made
either the buttrefs or bafis of any vifionary
fyftem in hiftory.
P, 32— 33. " The Celto-Germanic tribes, who
** had driven the old Gael from Belgium, fettling
*' in that divifion of Gaul, rofe, in procefs of
*^ time, into a variety of petty ftates. Each of
*' thefe, fome lime before the arrival of Csefar,
*' fent colonies into Britain. — It is difficult to
'* afcertain the lera of this third migration from
*' the continent."
The Belgje are afferted by Mr. Macpherfon
to have made two migrations into Britain, and
to have fettled two colonies in the iiland, one
^ Caefar, p. 34.
' Cajfar, p. i.
under