Now for two Reasons their Opinion seems to me to be most probable, who write, that the _Ancient Gauls_ had a peculiar Language of their own, not much differing from the _British_: First, because _Caesar_ tells us it was the Custom for these _Gauls_ who had a mind to be thoroughly instructed in the Learning of the _Druyds_, to pass over into _Britain_; and since the _Druyds_ made no use of Books, 'tis agreeable to Reason, that they taught in the same Language which was used in _Gallia_. Secondly, because _Tacitus_ in his Life of _Agricola_, writes, that the Language of the _Gauls_ and _Britains_ differ'd but very little: neither does that Conjecture of _Beatus Rhenanus_ seem unlikely to me, who believes the Language which is now made use of in _Basse Bretayne_ [_Britones Britonantes_] to be the Remains of our ancient Tongue. His Reasons for this Opinion may be better learn'd from his own Commentaries, than told in this Place. The Language which we at present make use of, may easily be known to be a Compound of the several Tongues of divers Nations. And (to speak plainly and briefly) may be divided into four Parts. One half of it we have from the _Romans_, as every one that understands _Latin_ ever so little, may observe: For besides, that the _Gauls_ being subject to the _Romans_, wou'd naturally fall into their Customs and Language, 'tis manifest that the _Romans_ were very industrious to propagate their Tongue, and to make it universal, and (as it were) venerable among all Nations. And to that End settled Publick Schools up and down, at _Autan, Besancon, Lyons_, &c. as _Valerius Maximus, Tacitus_, and _Ausonius_ tell us. The other half of it may be subdivided thus. One third of it we hold from the _Ancient Gauls_, another from the _Franks_, and the last from the _Greek_ Language: For it has been demonstrated long since by many Authors, that we find innumerable _Frank_ (that is, _German_) Words (as we shall hereafter prove) in our daily Speech. And several learned Men have shewn us, that many _Greek_ Words are adapted to our common Use, which we do not owe to the Learning and Schools of the _Druyds_, (who I believe spoke no _Greek_); but to the Schools and Conversation of the _Massilians_, whom we formerly mentioned. * * * * * CHAP. III. _The State of_ Gaul, _after it was reduced into the form of a_ Province _by the_ Romans.