Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-10-23
MIR. Buffers Resolution.

Resolred, by the Senate aud House of Repre-
sentatves, That the Secretary of State be in
structcd to procure and distribute to each school
district in this State, n copy Of Noah Wcbster's
Unabridged Quarto Dictionary, TO be kept in
the school Of said district, as a book Of reference
for both teacher and pupils ifthe same can be
procured at n cost not exceeding four dollars per
copy. ProUided, ho,ccrer, that no district shall
be entitled to receive said Dictionary which shall
not have furnished Itself with a suitable book
case or desk tor the safekeepng Of the same, and
prorided further. that each district on receiving
the said Dictionary, shall pay to said Secretary
the sum Of two dollars--the balance to be paid
from the State School Fund.
The School Committee, on applying for said
Dictionary shall certify that the district for which
it is requested has complied with the requistion
as TO its safe keeping.
Extract Of a letter from Hon. John c. Spencer
late Superintendent of Common Schools for the
State Of New York, and more recently Judge of
the Supreme Court of that State.
Albany, June Is, 1850.
More than twenty years ago procured the
Quarto edition and have used 1t constantly ever
since Ny pursuits in life have rendered i nec-
essary to consult it frequently, as wen other
works of a kindred or similar character, partlcu-
larry Dr. Johnson's Quarto, of the latest and best
ediuon Richardson's Dictionary, Crabbe's SYM
OWNS, and Horne Tooke's Diversions Of Purley,
In professional, POLITICAL and literary discussions,
the turning point of the argument has often been
the exact meaning of words, as asccrtalned not
only from their use, but from their derivation -
while in many cases. perhaps in the majority of
them, the works referred TO have failed to give
the desired nformation that OF Dr. Webster has
always furnished precisely what. has been desir-
cd, aud have long felt individually indebted to
the luslrl0us author for the labor and pains he
has saved me by his unwcaried patience, profound
learning and unsurpassed industry.
1t is unquestionably the very best Dictionary
Of orr language extant. 1t IS model Of copious-
ness and precision, and its great accuracy in the
definition and derivation Of words, gives it an
th0nty that no other work on the subject possess
es It is constantly cited and relied on in our
Courts of Justice IN our Legislative bodies, and
in public discussions, as entirely conclusive.
1t is scarcely necessary to add that such a
work is treasure which cannot be dispensed
with by any one who would thoroughly under
stand and correctly use his mother tongue. 1t
should be in every school in our land that our
youth may not be obliged to unlean the false
pronunciation, the unsound philology, and the err
roneous definitions, which taught me in my
, childhood.
JOHN c. SPENCER.
Extract of letter from Rev. DR.. jackson, dep
uty Superintendent of Common Schools of Mas
sachnsetts, dated Feb. Z, 1851, and addressed to
the COMMITTEES on Literature of the last New
= York Legislature;
" perceive" he writes that the Superinten-
dent of your Common Schools has recommended
that they be presented with Webster's Dctiona-
ry from the proceeds of your public fund. You
are aware that Massachusetts has Just carried
out such measure. 1t has been highly accept
;, able to the people generally. Hon. N p. Banks,
who visited different parts of the State last sum-
mer and autumn, and who is now the speaker Of
our House Of Representatives, informed me that
!, no measure Of our Legislature was more popular
OF useful. In many towns the Dictionary was
the only authoritative Judge and umpire IN litera-
l. ~ matters Where 1t was enthroned in a dis
y trct or village school-house, not only the pupils
q. and teacher but the parents and citizens appeal
ed to 1t TO settle questions in orthoepy and def
IS nltions, and thus 1t contributed to educate thu
entire community"