Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-29
miscellaneous.
MAKING A DICTIONARY.

In u volume which NJ. Emile littN has
just published under the title. ''Etudes ct
Glanures." NJ. Littre gives the history Of
his dictionary. II was in 1916 that the
great savant signed n contract with Hach-
ette for the publication of ''Dictionnaire
historique, ctymologique ct grammatical
de In langue franchise" This dictionary
comprises four enormous volumes OF about
100 pages each. three columns to the
page, and supplement that fills another
volume. II took Mr.. Littre Is years to
complete this stupendous work, from 1859
to 1872. He says.
My wife and daughter. witnesses OF
my troubles, heartily offered TO come 10
my aid. This domestic arrangement had
an advantage over the employment Of
strangers. that | valued highly. for these
aids of a new kind were ever at my side.
questioning me about that which puzzled
them and receiving Immediately and on
the spot the necessary instructions. had
arranged matters 50 that by wise econo-
my could allow myself the luxury of two
domiciles-one in the country, the other
in the city. My country home was Menil-
LEROY (Seine-et-Oise.) little. old house.
garden of a hectare. well planted. pro-
ducing fruits and vegetables. which. rs in
the case Of the old man in Virgil dapibas
mensds onorabat memphis. There. in
half-soitude, my village being far from
the road Of the general Partisan visitor,
could dispose of my hours. used to rise
at eight in the morning. That is late.
exciaims the reader, for a busy man.
But wait. While my bedroom. at the same
time my workroom was being made.
Il said before that my house
was old and smalD used to go down TO
the ground floor. taking with me some
work or other. Thus it was that among
other things ] made the preface to my
dictionary. The Chancellor d'Aguesseau
had taught me not TO disdain the moments
that appeared of no special importance
He was man whose wife always made
him wait for his dinner. and who. pre-.
senting her a book. said: There Is the
work of the moments before dinnerr At
nine o'clock. went up stairs again and
corrected the proof that had Just come in
This occupation brought me to the hour of
dejeuner. At one O'Clock sat down TO
my desk again. and until three in the at-
ternoon did my share in the Journal dcs
Savants. which society had elected me IN
1855, and to the journal of which felt in
duty bound to contribute regularly From
three 10 six O'Clock ! took the dictionary
in hand. At six descended for dinner
and my wife. unlike Nine. d'Aguesscau.
did not make me wait. thought about
an hour AT dinner sufficient. The prccept
not TO work mentally Immediately alter
meals has. been recommended. / have
always infringcd upon this recommenda-
ton alter finding out that did not suffer
by reason OF this infraction. Il was so
much time gained. so much snatchcd from
the necessities of the~body Having gone
up To my study again at seven o'clock,
resumed my dictionary and did not leave
it. A first relay brought me to midnight.
when my family retired. The second
brought me to three in the morning. Gen
orally my daily task was finished at that
hour. If it was not prolonged my
studies and more than once. during long
days. put out my lamp and continued
my work at the break OF day. y.--Parisian.