The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-05
LEXINGTON.
correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch
JANUARY 3. 1876.

correspondence VI ltlCllHlouu
JANUARY 3, 1876.
As the excitement produced by the con-
test between the two great parties OF the
republic begins to abate the people begin
10 turn their attention.a little more to other
matters.
Christmas in Lexington was the dullest
within the memory OF the young people.
There was but little drinking among the
white population, but noticeable increase
among the blacks, who produced ali the
disagreeable noise and bad behavior which
I heard or saw during the holidays.
During the holidays there was held here
a session of the Teachers Institute Of
Rockbridgc, consisting Of the teachers OF
the public schools in this county and few
invited teachers from adjacent counties and
from Staunton and Richmond. The session
lasted three days, and the discussions, lee
lures, &C., were highly instructive as well
as interesting. During the morning session
OF the second day discussion arose as to
which was the standard dictionary,
woRcEsrER's OR wEBsTsR's.
The debate was lively, and arguments were
advanced in support OF each OF the die
tionarics. The fact that it was n great evil
to have two standard dictionaries in the
same country was brought to the notice of
the teachers, and 1t was held that one should
be adopted to the exclusion OF the other.
DR.. Kirkpatrick, professor of Moral Phi
losophy in Washington and Lee University,
who was in the room, was called upon to
give the reasons which had induced the
University to adopt Worcester rs it's stand
ard. He went forward, and began by say
ing that all knew, he supposed, that in Eng
land a committee, composed Of eminent lin
guistic scholars, had been appointed to COM
pile mammoth dictionary, which is to be
recognized as standard by all English
speaking people. This committee has been
working ten years, and will probably have
to work as much longer before this great
book can be completed. The commit
tee had adopted Worcester until the
book on which it is engaged is completed.
The editors Of Webster's Dictionary
are, in each new edition, gradually changing
Webster's spelling to that Of Worcester, and
in the last abridged edition of Webster the
editors gave both ways OF spelling every
word over which difference existed
Webster's mode Of spelling being first, OF
course. Since it had been held to be great
evil to have two standard dictionaries the
adoption OF Webster would not cure the
evil, for it gave both Webster's and Worces-
ter's mode OF spelling. But as to defini-
tions and cuts illustrative of the subjects, he
thought w ebSter>S QlctlODaFy vastly Supe-
rior to Worcester. Every family should
have an abridged Webster, accept his def
nitions, and the second spelling Of the
words, which was Worcesters.
The different grades Of the public schools
Of Lexington, which have heretofore been
scattered about over different parts OF the
town, have now been removed to one build
ing-the large Glasgow House opposite to
the Gazette Office. Exercises in the new
building were begun yesterday, and every
thing progressed well.
Rev. Mr.. Nelson, assistant rector OF Grace
Episcopal church, OF Lexington, has re-
ceived and accepted o call from Wytheville,
Va, and leaves here in few days for his
duties q: that place. Mr. Nelson is q very
estimable and affabie gentleman, as well as
an excellent minister, and his departure is
much regretted.
Rev. DR.. Mutually, the new pastor Of the
Presbyterian church, has arrived here and
entered upon the duties OF his new charge.
DR.. Mutually promises to give unqualified
satisfaction. He Is o fine minister, eloquent,
Logical, and in every respect theman needed
iFtb1s church. 49, CIR.
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