Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-01-05
Webster's Dictionary.

Webster's Dictionary.
The old Horation rule that customs the prevalent
and habit is paramount in matters of spelling and
pronunciation, will always make the innovations of
Noah Webster OF no weight or authority. The New
York Tribune and the great publishing house of the
Harpsrs may adopt the spelling and photography of
the Connecticut exicographer-they never make
1t current. Old established customs is paramount and
superior to whole army dictoary of writer's. Noah
Webster two-hirds of his currency and popular
y 10 the fact that the national sentiment the feeling
Of country has been strongly invoked in his behalf.
1t is lrue Lord Brougham and some other great peO-
pie across the waters have endorsed his dictionary,
but such kind of endorsements when asked of such
men as Blougham, are granted matters of course.
They weigh but very little. Noah Webster is bad
speer, because he undertook 10 spell whole classes
CT English words in way which violates the univer-
sal habit and practice of the English and American
people, in a way which violates all authority and
precedent. If he had lived as long ago as the days
OF Queen Ann and Elizabeth, when the spelling and
grammatical construction of the English language
were still open questions, he might have ventured
upon mode of his own, mi ght have suggested new
methods for the adoption of all cospeakers with him.
self of the Kings English. But the photography of
our mother tongue has been long since settled
beyond appeal 1t is longer subject for dis
cussion, let those dispcabe sciolists and chat
terers known photographers say what they
please. Written language is an altogether won
detu thing 1t is not the invention of one man, but
of myrads ii is the slow growth of ages. The Eng
llsh language is tesseated mosaic, splendid patch
work, a Joseph's coat of thousand coors. Those
who are most forward at composing grammatical and
photographed Innovations precisely those, who,
! for the most part, know least bout written lang.
uages The Lowell Courier stgmatizes adherence TO
J custom authority, fogyish. 1t would probably
leave mans photography to be decided upon by HIM
self; would let him take the alphabet and manufac-
tue the words that may have occasion TO transfer 10
paper to please his whims and fancies, thereby
destroying all right and wrong. Ibis would doubt
less please the Sticks and Downings infinitely This
was the way spelling was done, as long ago &c
Chaucer's and Shakspeares time The orthography
of language has fortunately been settled and fix
ed, after pains and difficulty, and every reader OF
books and of written language is intellectually
cal, OR a Connecticut photographer, would under.
take to lay violent hands upon his mother tongue.
The Citizen.
| The N. Y. Times of Thursday, says:
We understand that John Mitchell has Withdrawn
from The Citizen, and from public life. One reason
for this step is that his eye sight has been inuriousy
affected by his labors and another is the conviction
that the extent to which he has been personally
identified with the paper has been injurious to its in.
fuence and prosperity. He confesses that he has
been grevousy disappointed in the temper of the A.
merican people,-fnding them much less disposed
thar he had imagined, to encourage the free expires
sion of opinion upon all subjects. The Citizen los
about ten thousand subscribers in consequence of the
proclamation of his desire for an Alabama planta
tion we'll stocked with fat negroes and severa
thousand more followed when he commenced the
war upon Archbishop Hughes. Mr.. Mitchell declares
his Intention to remain in entire obscurity for least
four years He will still contribute however, to the
Citizen mainly on literary topics, and always ove
his own signature. The paper will be conducted
hereafter by Mr. McClenehan, who has been con
nected with its editorial department from the begin
ming"
The imports of dry goods into New York last week
and the corresponding week of 53, were
1853. 1854
oIieol II S54,0U $40 GA
1oal thrown on the market ,808 939 6I7S5
Less of imports this year, sl,l13 875 and of good,
thrown on the market, Sl,19l,O87 This is great
foling of.
The comparison of dry goods imports for the two
years from LIST of January, is follows
/ 1858 1854
Total entered 7O5,Ol1 sOs42 9st
Less OF imports this year 1862 ,075 and less o.
goods thrown on the market s12 1863 ,O64
j The dry goods business having done It's share o.
the excess of trade is certainly doing it's share