The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-09-09
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experts in all handicrafts and
trades. 1t seems neither extravaganza
nor invidious to claim that no more
capable and vigorous body OF workers,
in touch with the spirit and movement
of the times, has ever been called to the
making of q dictionary in any language.
This dictionary is, in fact. the joint
product of many minds, rejecting the
whole scholarship of the present age.
In @ dictionary which aims to combine
the utmost scholarly precision with con-
venience for popular reference, there
are eight heads under which its value
may be considered. These are completes
ness, arrangement, definitions, epelling,
pronunciation. etymology, Topographic
cal features and appendices. Ia scarcely
one of these division doss the Standard
Dictionary, prepared by corps of sev-
sral hundred specialists, fail to record a
distinct advance.
In point of completeness it 10 without
peer in our language. This increase (of
words) has not been obtained by artl-
fetal means. On the contrary, extreme
compression has been the watchword OF
the editors. Many obsolete words, slang
terms and dialectio expressions little
used, have been omitted to make room
for newcomers which represent substan-
tial additions to the most widely spoken
language in the world. The arraign-
ment of this work presents one decided
novelty. Heretofore the practice has
been, wherever word has several dsfni-
tons. to arraign them HISTORICALLY. This
is logical, but not convenient. -Four
times ous of five the current definition
10 the one wanted, and this comes last.
In the Standard Dictionary the COM
monest definition Immediately follows
the word itself. and the others succeed
in the order OF their frequency Of occur
renee, Nothing, moreover, is permitted
to come between the word and its detini-
ton, excepting the pronunciation. The
etymology is placed last. as it should be.
We observe that nouns of the same
spelling are made to follow verbs, in
stead of preceding them. Altogether,
the work ia great one. In illustrations
it has no equal. Many OF ths pictures
are in colors. There ie full page Gov
cred with exquisitely-c pictures OF
precious stones; another OF birds; an
other of designs of knighthood and
other decorations, etc. another OF flags
OF all nations, etc., etc. Public Libraries,
all others W no aspire to be we'll informed
should have copy of this work. One
colored plate. giving some Of the beat
gems and precious stones OF the world.
Sfdss ss 1r 81 ali conn
tries, is truly gorgeous. Wsbster's die
tionary, even its most modernized form,
surs etymology for the sake of being
easily comprehensive aud thereby loses
much of its value. ThsCentury dictionary,
probably the most ambitious attempt
ever made in the direction OF cata.
loguing language, errs in the other
to the average man it's maze
OF esrly English quotations and its COM
plicated definitions are worse than use
less. Hs finds himself in a tangle of
that makes his confusion as
to moaning or derivation worse con-
founded.
In this new work, Funk and WagnslPs
Standard Dictionary, we find q conecien.
tlous effort has been made to steer a
midway course between these difficult
ties, and the new work ia compromiae
between the alovenliness of Webster and
The hyperscAolasticism of the Century.
The definitions are lucid and terse, con-
veyiug, as ia the function of dictionary.
,he information which they contain at a
glance. The standardization of derivs-
ives q carried out with care and ench
quotations as are given add complete
less to the work without rendering it
'um bersome. The dictionary, while
cholerly, is obviously intended for the
lse of the average man. There are but |
ew references TO Sanskrit or Hebrew |
cots, which are regarded as 30 requisite |
" other photographers and SO super
luous by their readers.
The amount OF detail in its prepara-
ion is appalling to think OF. 1t has
'een nearly four years in preparation
nd has been in charge OF mon Of excep-
lonal fitness. Every word of technical
meaning has been defined by some one
tho uses 1t as part of his daily vocabu-
ary, and the definition has then been
and amended, if niece ssary, BY
there engaged in the same line OF work,
that the meaning finally presented is
hat attached to the word bv those who
re most familiar with its daily use.
1t Is perhaps useless to Try to convey
the public an adequate idea OF the
Magnitude of the task OF getting out this
dictionary. which will distance all rivals.
,oughts, cannot grasp the intricacy and
10 multiiarious details OF SUCH an I'M
artaklng. 1t will be noticed that the
ethods pursued by the editors of the
Iandard have been the most modern.
odern rules as to spelling, syntax, ar
ngemene and all the various questions
men enter into such work have been
lowed. In short. there is every evil
'nce that this dictionary is a sincere
tempt to do the work we'll and for ali
ms. As the first volume appears in
q edition now at hand, there is most
cellent typographical work and ex-
edingly good illustrations. In eyery
~ the dictionary promises to be Just {
nat 1t Claims as its charscter-the best
"a most complete ever issued to the
lglish speaking race. The most
armed men of this country and Eng
I'D have Endorsed it, and to their ver- 4
CO Is sddeo that of all the leading
nerlcan colleges. The first volume is
W ready for public delivery; the sec.
Will be issued some time in October. '
10 nrst volume covers the alphabet l
rough the letter l.. The size of the I
lume IS about that Of the Century, and 1
ls hneiy printed and richly bonnd in 1
lssla leather or Morocco, according TO
ice. A mechanical device, which ia
nmendable. is the supplying OF let
cd thomb-holes, by which u given
ter can be turned to with expedition.
~. !
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