The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-06
TIE Value or worSs.

In English Words (Harpers). an elementary
study OF derivations. Mr. CHARLES F. JOHNSON
Professor Of English Literature at Trinity Col
lege. Hartford. has given US little book.
which. although primarily intended for use In
high schools and colleges. will be found OF
general interest. This is not an essay In the
scientific study OF language: the authors aim
Is simply to call attention to the literary values
OF words. so far as this can be done by brief
review Of their origin and history. The mod
est purpose has been carried out In an attrac-
tive way and the soundness Of the data
brought forward will be apparent when we say
that their compiler has relied upon the highest
authorities In English etymology. in
Guiding. conspicuously. Prof. Skeat The
benefits derivable from Intelligent at
tention to the pedigree and vicissi-
tudes OF words are obvious In the first
place. the more familiar we become with
athought-implement. the more likely are We
to enlarge our thought-power. In the second
place. the fuller our knowledge OF the capabili-
tics OF meaning latent In words. the greater
our power OF enjoyment and the keener our
sense OF relation to our fellow men. The beauty
OF imaginative literature depends largely on
the associations called up by particular words.
The use OF word rich in associations In such
manner as to bring them out constitutes
poetic form for more than does rhyme or
rhythm. These associations making up the
intimate and poetic meaning OF word. de-
pend In a considerable degree on the words
origin and history. But II the study Of words
Increases. however slightly. our capacity for
artistic or even for rational intellectual enjoy
ment. no further argument for its importance
will be required.
It is not. OF course. disputed that the best
way to strengthen discriminative feeling for
words Is 10 read good literature and TO note
the peculiar and delicate use OF words by lit
erary artists. Prof. johnson does not fail to
recognize that the study Of derlvotions Is not
substitute for such an exercise, but only an
aid TO It. tits certain. nevertheless. that II we
know the derivation and history OF word We
appreciate 1t more fully and exactly, just as
We know a man better II we have known
him since his youth than II We had first met
him In middle age. Thus. when we learn that
"preciDitate" means to throw ones self head
foremost. coming as II does from pre caput the
word acquires q pictureslueness and vitality
that 1t lacked before. SO. too. "dilapIdnted"
seems q strong word even on the lips OF the
Ignorant. but bow much more graphic It be-
comes when We remember that II Is derived
not from di lapsus fallen DOWN. but from dis
whose stones have fallen down In ruin-"not
one stone left upon another" ~
i.
Prof johnson begins with concise account
OF the kinships OF the English language and
definition Of tho nature Of linguistic relation
ship. offering In connection with tho latter
topic lucid explanation Of 0rimm's law re-
Garding consonantal transmutation and re-
ciprocity IN cOgnato tonguos-the process
by which pater. frater. piscis. and pos
In Latin become father. brother. fish.
and foot In English. At the samo time the
author IL careful to point out that thore are
In English large number OF words which
are foreigners" in tho sense OF not con-
forming to Gimm's law. Moreover. 1t is |
to be remembered that Grimms law is |
applicable to letters rather than sounds. |
and only In the early stages OF language
are words spelled a. they are pronounced.
The spelling changes much more sloWls than