The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-07-26


literary history of the author of the American
Spelling Book, which, published in 1888, had in
lS47 reached an average annual sale of mil
lion of copies, kept up to the same figure as late
as 1S73-of the Author of the American Die
tionary, ushered to the public by trumpet note
of defiance against the great literary dictator,
Johnson, and in its turn assalled by Worcester,
Lyman Cobb, and others-the pioneer in pho
netics, and the defender of Americanisms in
biography and pronunciation And who has
not unconsciousy drawn a picture of so great
celebrity q We venture the guess that not one
of thousand will recognize any resemblance
between his fancy work and the distinct por-
trait given to us by Mr.. Scudder. The follow
ing is a description of the outward man He
spent two months in Paris, where S. G. Good
rich met him, who writes-'A slender form,
with black coat black small clothes, black
silk stockings, moving back and forth with its
hands behind it, and evidently in state of
meditation. 1t was curious quaint Connec-
ticut looking apparition, strangely In contrast
to the prevailing forms and aspects in this gay
metropolis. 1 said to myselt-if it were posi-
BILE, should say that was Noah Webster l
went up to him, and found it was indeed he"
This corresponds well enough, it may be, with
our preconceived notions of the externllity of
celebrated man, who lived more than fourscore
years, and left as enduring monuments of him
self-a Grammar and Dictionary. Philology
seems somehow naturally slender, and a medi-
tation among dead words appropriately dressed
In black small clothes. But this decerous per-
sonage surely cannot be an extravagant patriot,
an aggressive and pugnacious reformer, vehe-
ment party politician, visionary schemer, a
restless worker, an enthusiast, and in fact a
busy body. Yet such traits were prominent in
his character And they were at the same time
characteristic excellences bearing him along in
an arduous career, ever maintaining infexible
honesty, impelled by lofty sentiments, and &C
complishing results so important that they will
ever keep his memory in honor
Yet we cannot but be amused at the smplici
ty which does not disguise his estimate OF him
self, and astonished at the audacity of his
Americanism.
AS Mr.. Scudder says, speaking of him at
Cambridge, There is something in the whole
undertaking." (the American Dictionary land
in the mode of its execution, which makes one
by turns wonder at the splendid will and un
daunted perseverance of this Yankee teacher,
and feel well-bred annoyance at his blindness
4 to the incongruous position which he occupied.
One is disposed to laugh at this self taught die
tionary maker, encamped at Cambridge, coolly
pursuing his work of an American Dictionary.
IN the midst of all that traditional scholarship"
And in different connection: " His vanity
made him open, and his strong selfreliance
gave him boldness of expression, which makes
- IL E..
He had unlimited confidence in himself an al.
most childish ignorance of obstacles, persist
ance which was unembarrassed by the indifer-
ence of others, and from his long continued oc.
cupation habit of magnifying the trivial"
His ridiculously inflated patriotism appears
everywhere in his enormous overestimate of the
preeminence of the United States over all other
countries, In every respect. Nowhere, however,
does 1t appear more conspicuous, because no.
where else more out of place. than when he as
signs the reasons which make an american Die
tionary necessary. He says: No10 is the time,
and THIS the country in which we may expect
success In attempting changes favorable to Ian
guage science, and government . Let us
then seize the present moment, and establish a
national language as well as a national govern.
ment. AS an Independent people, our repu
tatlon abroad demands that, in all things, we
should be federal, be national"
After like tenor, when urging the phonetic
change in photography, he says: A capital ad-
vantage Of this reform in these States would be
that it would make difference between the
English photography and the American.
1t would render it in some measure necessary
that all books should be printed in America &"
10 propose such a prohibitory tariff on litera.
ture ls evidence Of his boldness as a reformer
Apart from the truthful and interesting IT,
count of avery eminent and useful man Of let
tiers, presented in this volume Mr.. Scudder pives
Us some useful information about the history Of
copyright legislation in this country, and clear
statement Of the progress and changes of Web
sters Dictionary, with some candid but fine
criticisms. setting forth the merits of this initial
ehterPrize In American photography with no.
uce OF such defects as were inherent in Webster's
original scheme, and such Deficiencies as ware
Inevitable because Of the undeveloped condition
at the time Of linguistic science A Jingle mar
agraph we must quote, as an example Of nico
discrimination The absence Of the finer ouali.
ties Of scholarship in Webster's composition. is
indicated by his somewhat rough and ready
treatment OF the subject Of pronunciation per
maps no more delicate test exists Of tho e,re;r