Historic Periods, etc.
jective sense of a sudden or terrible event till after the Norman Conquest; the early meaning of mirth was ‘enjoyment, happiness,’ and could be used in Old English of religious joy; while merry meant no more than ‘agreeable, pleasing.’”[1] We have passed nearly through the period when the northwestern coasts and forests of Europe were inhabited by the descendants of Aryan tribes still in a crude stage of culture. They had made progress in the rough arts; and they had learned much from their neighboring tribes; but they still remained savages steeped in ignorance and superstition.
Now breaks the dawn of modern civilization. It is brought forth by the influence of the other more fortunate descendants of Aryan groups which had migrated to the Mediterranean regions, and which had come in contact with the ancient civilizations of Egypt and the East. Here the great classical centers of culture were established. From these
- ↑ The English Language. (Smith.)
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