The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-22
New Books.

l. A DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
By Joseph E. Worcester, LII. u.
Q. A COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY OF THE ENG
LIsH LANGUAGE. By Joseph E. Worcester,
LII. D.
3. A PRIMARY DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH
LANGUAGE. By Joseph E. Worcester,
Boston Brewer & Tileston. New York: j.
| W. Schermerhorn d Co. 1871.
We have received from MIR. George F. Phelps,
the Agent of Messrs. Schermerhorn d Co., OF
New York, copies OF the above-named works.
The first In the list Is The new edition
OF worcester's quarto dictionary, which has
been prepared with great care, and deserves
the high praises which 1t has everywhere re-
ceived. As we'll as We can Judge, 1t is both
accurate and complete. The Introductory re.
marks are lucid, and, upon disputed points,
present the opinions of the most eminent
philologists. We find the definitions clear,
impartial, concise, and well sustained by au-
thorIiy. The latest terms In science and art
are described, and abundant notes give the
student valuable and interesting Information
on various subjects of importance. Vccabula-
rqes are furnished of geographical and proper
names, ancient and modern, and there ls q
full collection of phrases from foreign Ian
guages, as we'll as key to the pronunciation
of classical and scripture proper names, and
list OF authorizations used In writing and
printing.
2. The second work on the list is combi-
nation of the Comprehensive Dictionary OF
1880, and The PronounciDg Explanatory and
Synonymous Dictionary Of 1855. A large
number of words have been added, and in its
present form it is admirably adapted for use
in high schools, in families and In the count
ing-room.
8. The third work on the list Is small
volume of 3ss pages, known as the Primary
Dictionary. Technical terms and words which
are obsolete, provincial or Without authority
are omitted, and also many compound and
derivatlve words. It is simple in arrange
ment and easy of comprehension. and makes
on excellent school manual, and, like the
quarto and Comprehensive dictionaries, 1t Is
illustrated.
We have only glanced at the main points OF
the three dictionaries, and return 10 The big
quarto Worcester, with its l04,00O words, for
the purpose of showing that 1t has Qualities
even more important than Its careful arrange
ment, Its thoroughness, and its admirable
Typography. The popular tendency In America
Is towards slang, and towards the formation
of bastard words which brulalize the lam
guage and CRATE intolerably on the unculliTa'
ted ear. Preaching and newspaper writing
Will not correct The growing evil. They may
prevent its increase, but they do not effect
radical cure, which can only be secured BY
diausng knowledge of the origin, struc-
ture and laws of our mother tongue. The In.
troductory essay In the qualto dictionary may
be taken US authority upon these subjects.
DR.. Worcester understood his work. and, OF
course, avoids the photographed barbarlsms
In which Dr.. Webster took delight. 1t Is true
that, in the later editions CT Webster, many
changes for The better have taken place. The
"Leperd" in 1906 Is "Leopard" in 1885, and we
.sdo not read now that sit hdz been said that
s'coquetts often loozs their reputation, while
sthey retain thelr rirtie;;" but In no sense are
we willing 10 accept even the last edition OF
Webster as safe guide. Worcester, on the
other hand, may be trusted. And what we have
said of orthography applies to pronunciation.
We do not, in all things, agree with Worcester;
but In Webster we have no confidence what
ever. The remaining objection to the mod
ern Webster Ia that It's definitions OF political
words and terms are frequently sectional and
unjust, and convey to the reader wholly
wrong Idea. We pointed out the other day
the changes made In Webster in the definition
of such words as constitution, compact, ma
tlon, congress and republic. All these words
have been defined by the present editor of
Webster's Dictionary so as to furnish argu-
ments against the democratic view of our In
stitutions. and against the views of DR.. Noah
Webster himself, whose definitions were &C
cepted as correct. Indeed. DR.. Porler's edi-
ton Of Webster's dictionary is no longer Web
ster at all. In marked contrast 10 it is tue
auarto Worcester, which is colorless in liz de-
fntions, Is 10 be preferred TO any other
American dictionary, and Is the equal OF
any dictionary now published.
We warmly commend the several editions
of Worcester's Dictionary to the favor Of the
public.
Gnstetter's Bitters,