Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1886-06-11

For the past five years The Century Co. has
been engaged in preparing dictionary ofthe
English language, OF which Professor William
ID. Whitney, of Yale College, Is editor-in-chief
the purpose being to make a more compre-
hensive work than has yet appeared in pop
ular form. to include, in addition to a very
full collection OF individual words in all de-
partments Of the language, all technical
phrases, not self-explaining, In law, the
mechanical arts, the sciences. etc. Indeed. 1t
is designed to make this dictionary so COM
plete in its definitions OF all br anches OF sci
ence and art that even the specialist will need
nothing further. The number of"new' words
in many Of these departments Is said to he
surprisingly great. The dictionary will have
also remarkably complete system OF cross
reference, and will embody In itself a diction-
airy OF synonyms which Will add greatly to its
value.
A prominent feature of the new work will
be its encyclopedia character. Its definitions
will be fuller and more complete than is Gus
tomary in works Of this kind; 1t will go fur
Their into the various uses and meanings of
words, and in many cases will give full ex-
plantations and descriptions OF matters his
torical, scientific, legal, mechanical, etc.
Quite an army OF persons has been at work
for several years reading standard American
and English books in search OF quotations. OF
which an immense number will be used.
American writers, such as Emerson, Lowell.
Hawthorne, Irving, Whittier, Longfsllow,
Holmes, and our distinguished scientists, are
receiving special attention.
The publishers are taking great pains with
the Illustrations, ofwhich there will be about
5000. They are employing the same class Of
artists and engravers that contribute TO their
magazines, and they mean to make the re-
suit something hitherto unknown TO the
world Of dictionaries. Each picture as II is
drawn, and again after 1t Is engraved, is sub
mitted to the specialist to whose depart
ment 1t belongs. that its scientific accuracy
may be guaranteed. OF these specialists
there are about thirty, working at their
homes In New York, Baltimore, New Haven,
Cambridge, and elsewhere, each being indi-
yidually responsible for all the definitions in
his department. and all under the general su-
pervision Of Professor Whitney, who will
himself have special charge ofthe definitions
in the department Of philology, in which he
alton. 1t Is understood that he viii not adopt
phonetic method ofspelling, though on the
oretical grounds he Is known to favor II.
Professor Whitney Is not only recognized as
the most eminent American philologist, but
the London Saturday RerieW has recently
pronounced him the foremost English-speak-
ing scholar In his department.. In addition TO
the specialists, force Of about Nifty assist
ants has been busy collating material and
preparing copy for the printer, the final work
on which is done with type-writing machines
at the Century Co.'s ONCE.
The inception Of this scheme was q desire to
improve and Americanize the Imperial Dc
tionary- Of Great Britain. brought out In this
country by The Century Co. i've years ago.
As the work ofaltering 1t advanced. It became
apparent that better plan was to begin de
noro, and 30 the far greater work OF making
new dictionary OF the English language was
begun. Two or three years must stiil elapse
before 1t win appear. and In the mean time
Opportunity il offered by the publishers 70
those interested in helping on % useful work
to contribute material and suggestions to 1T.
Much valuable matter has been received In
this way from many scholars and practicaf
men all over the world.
1t is estimated that upwards OF q quarter Of
Q million of dollars win be spent upon The
Century Dictionary before It Is ready for pub
LEGATION. The work oftype-setting and print
ing will be done by the De vienne Press, In
the new building into which they have recent
ly moved.