St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-05-03
1llisrrHann.
A RE VIE W.
A Standard Dictionary of the EneIish
Language

umes. Full morocco, $50, for the two Inc
one-volume edition, ST.
The above has recently been added
to our reference library, and we, IN
common with others, have no hesita-
ton in giving il the very highest
praise. The rare qualities OF this
new dictionary continue to grow
upon us. Ofall the large single.vol-
une Observation-Disclosures, Worces-
ter, the Imperial, Stormonth-the
Standard easily takes its place at the
head of the class. 1t will inevitably
become the word.book of the large
class of intelligent readers who wish
to consult the best dictionary. The
editor,in-chief and his five colabora'
tors have produced dictionary
upon original plans, designed to
give, in complete and accurate state
ment, in the light Of the most recent
advances in knowledge and in the
readiest form for popular use, the
meaning, photography, pronuncia'
ton and etymology Of all the words
and idiomatic phrases in the speech
and literature OF the English-speak-
ing peoples" The design finds most
adequate expression in this superb
volume.
The vocabulary is larger than in
any other English dictionary. Stor-
month has a choice collection OF
$4,000 words-more than most peo-
pie would ever need for use; Worces-
ter, 10000; Webster's Information
al, 125,000 the Century mounts at
once to 225, 900; while the Standard
makes another leap to 100000, or
75000mo than the latter mammoth
dictionary. The mass Of new words,
introduced within the last ten years,
is amazing, and they are gathered up
in this dictionary. Take electricity,
for instance; more than 1000 new
terms have been added to express the
qualities and movement and the
manipulations of this newly-applied
force in nature. In all the sciences
and the applications of science to
practical life the increase in the stock
of words has gone on at rapid
rate. The growth of language has
kept pace with the new movements
of thought and practical activity.
The arrangement of this mass OF
words is such as to secure condensa-
ton and system. The leading feat
ure in the arrangement is, of course,
alphabetical. Under this, various
sub'groupings are possible. The
grouping of related terms was en-
ployed by Stormonth, and is utilized
to larger extent in the Standard.
Around a large number of leading
words, like agriculture, architecture,
earth, history, science, and the like,
are gathered groups ofwords belong
ing under a technical term. Glass
making, brewing, explosive, brick
making, printing, are examples
Each little army of words is mar
shaded under the leading term so as
to be seen at a glance.
The definitions of the Standard
dictionary are at once clear and
comprehensive. The distinctions are
sharp. The meaning is given with
exactness, neatness, terseness, point.
The fewest words possible is the rule.
Some subjects, indeed, require more
than others, but whether the dehni-
ton be shorter or longer, no words
are used as padding; every word
used in the definition is essential to
the full expression of the meaning.
Under the word pear" for instance,
we have the brief definition, the vari-
ties of the stock, and the names and
qualities of the fruit. The same
process is repeated with all the fruits
and grains. PHILOSOPHY" is clearly
defined, and its various divisions are
given. "Spectroscope is defined, the
name of the inventor given, and the
whole process explained by aid of ar
illustration.
In the spelling and pronunciation
the utmost care was used. The form
er was in charge of Prof. F. A
March, the eminent philologist, who
was extremely particular to improve
the latest advances of scholarship
without needlessly departing from
conservative forms. The pronuncia
tons were subjected to the examina
ton of "an advisory committee o
fifty persons, composed of represent
ative scholars in all parts of the
world" In addition to the usua
marks, we have the pronunciation
spelled out in full.
The illustrations of the STANDARD
dictionary are both abundant ant
excellent. Almost every subjec
which admits of illustration and il
of any Importance has its picture
and most OF them are fine specimen
of the photographers art. There ar
5000 of them, They add both tt
the beauty and the usefulness of tn
book, bringing, as they do, know
edge to the eye. The tables Of on
kind and another; the autonym
joined to the synonyms; the prope
names given, or terms derived hor
in capitals; the appendix, in whic)
the geographical, Biblical and myth
illogical names are printed together
the faulty diction and the foreigl
words and phrases, are all admirabl
features Of this new work. In view
of the whole case, we are constraine
to pronounce the Standard superio
to any its rivals in wealth c