The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-08-16
4FHa sTANpARp pIorIoNARY. !.

Funk WagnaIis' New Publication Wen
Spoken of by Experts.
The Standard Dictionary OF the English
language, which Funk & Wagnalls of New
York have had in course OF preparation
for some time, is nearing completion.
The delay in bringing it forth has been
caused by the addition Of several new
features and departments Prominent
among these is the serious attempt which
this dictionary will make to solve the per-
picking problem of compounds. This
department has heen pla ced III the hands
of Mr.. F. Horace Teabl, author of that
excellent W ork, 1.-THE Compo andine OF
English words" The publishers of the
Standard Dictionary recently issued a
plan, and a portion of the work which
they submitted TO the leading schol airs
and etymolgists of the English sneaking
world. Inc mighty natiering encoDiums
which have been bestowed upon the work
both in this country and England presage
tn Q success of the dictionary.
Professor Murray of Oxford, the great
English photographer, says that the in
PRODUCTION of the phonetic element was q
desirable recognition of the need OF Re-
formed Spelling. and that Prof. March's
editorship of this department was every
thing that could be asked for. AS prac-
tical matter, in popular dictionary. the
order OF usage had the preponderauce of
reasons in its favor. Prof. Murray says
further that the specimen pages of the
Standard Dictionary had, on examina-
ton, appeared to him to be as well done
as was practicable within the necessarily
small compass of a single volume diction-
airy.
Professor Skeat, the eminent etvmolor-
cf rsf flpff frsSr
approved the introduction of the phonetic
element and the exhibition of the tenta-
tive scientific alphabet. He expressed the
opinion that spelling reform In the Eng
lish language was certain to come IN
time, and declared his confidence in Pro-
lessor March as man thoroughly quail
fed to preside over this department of
the dictionary He was highly pleased
with the plan of giving exact references
l.for the literary quotations, and expressed
surprise that it could be accomplished in
so little space. The Professor seemed
pleased with the general look of the work.
III this country the praise of the work
was equally as cordial. Thomas w.
Hunt. professor of rhetoric ard English
literature at Princeton, in writing TO the
publishers said;-
II have examined carefully the pros
pecius and sample pages of The Stan
dard Dictionary The plan is admirable
and ought to meet with general accept
auce. III awork OF this Kind the scholars
engaged on it are as important factor as
the plan ITSELF The cooperation of such
scholars rs March. DoremuS, Newcom5.
Harper. Balg, Harrison. ETC., should en-
sure success. I'D. OF the two diction-
aries, the revision Of Webster and your
work, your plan is the better one aud win
better meet existing needs. 1t has the
great virtue Of being unique and indie
pendent''
Albert S. Cook, Professor OF the Eng
lish Language and Literature at Yale,
sail that the innovation OF placing the
etymoloRy after the definition, while it
may startle some people. can hardly be
regarded as objectionable per sc. and may
facilitate the consultation Of the Diction-
AIRY, on the part OF many people. Com
preston is secured by many excellent de-
vices. In placing Professor March in
charge OF the phonetic notation, were the
publishers doing we'll The inclusion OF
synonyms aud antonyms was entirely
cummendable.
II am delighted with the principles
upon which you are building the dictfoa~
ary,' wrote Prof. j. Ogd en- Doremus Of
the College of the City of New York and
Prof. Charles r. johnson of Trinity Coll
lene declared that the Work was fsifrcls
OF clearness. The professors OF Enaisn
literature at almost aiitne other leading
colleges Of the country have spoken IN
high praise u the work aud their uniYer-