The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-06
VOL. x.

come into use since the larger Dictionaries Ls-
been prepared, will also be found to have be..
added, while, by throwing out derivatives
the form of compounds or adjectives or advert.
unless some peculiar usage modifes their mo-.
ing, the pages have been filed with a ora.,..
number and variety of words employed IN D.;
ence, art, literature, and similar applic.,;,.
of language, than could otherwise have b..
done. The volume in this respect will be- c,,.
to be far superior to others in use. Il !,
marksble how full it is in all branches or T.,
ature, and we doubt not but such will h. .,
Judgment of all who carefully and candid.
examine it.
A browning excellence of this Dictiopsrr
its synonyms. This valuable feature Of Il
large octave edition, which has rendered :;
acceptable, and made it the theme of 20 n,,.l
praise at home and abroad, is here carried ~.
to still higher perfection. The distinction. ..
elaborated with great skill and discrimina,;,.
by the accomplished editor, in thu, ras,.,.
leaving nothing further to be desired as 70 .
words thus given. In his preface. the e5;,
states that more than 600 distinct artic, - So.
devoted to determinations of this kipd-bs;..
a larger number than is contained in any sim
liar work in our language, with the except,,
of Crabbe." The plan so carried ont has bs...
applied "to about 1900 of the most impor.n,
words in our language" For the use of tss,
ers and pupils, also, a list is separately giv..
OF nearly all the words so Disseminated, Tt.
must prove of great value in enabling vou,,
writer's to acquire precision in the use Of Ian
guage, and, by furnishing them with exampla,
puts them in the way of pursuing similar invest
igations-a most admirable kind of traip;r.
for the correction of those loose modes Of o.,
preston which have gained in our country .rl
injured the style of some of our most popuIs-
writer's.
The trial of this Dictionary by the sure tes.
of daily usage will unquestionably prove its VAS
superiority in all the above respects TO evarv
other of the same size or pretension. The ".
rious additions mentioned in the titlepaoe o.
the Vocabularies and Keys to the Pronuncia.
ton of Classical and Scripture Proper Names.
and of Modern Geographical Names: Phrase.
and Quotations from Ancient and Modern I,a,.
guages; Authorizations in Writing and Prir,.
ing, &c.-deserve mention, too, as giving to tbs
volume rare variety of information, brourlt
into compact and practical form, which vii.
be suitably appreciated by many reader IN
quest of such knowledge. We have based or
opinion of this work, not on a merely cursor
glance at its contents, but after a very thorougs
examination. Aud we have no hesitation "a
according to it, for its careful elaboration. v.
riety of excellences, condensed yet full infor.
alton, for neat execution and cheapuess. ts
foremost place among such guides for the En-
lish language.
To the distinguished editor and author Of Il .
volume, teachers of the youth of our countr,
and indeed the whole reading public, are larg,-
indebted; and no slight tribute of approbat.
is due, that in the midst of the arduous duii.
of his Professorship-pressed down with f.
ing health and severe bereavements-be h,
devoted his spare moments and gathered enc
gies, at so great an expense of toll and streng,
to works of rare usefulness, and thus need.
in the cause of Education. Nor do we dou
the verdict of that appreciation, when there sks
have been time to examine and Judge dspa.
sionately.