Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-08-23
An Important Contribution TO English
LeNicOgrnphy.

| Wnlcn IL is dltlcult TO praise too highly.
The magnitude of the task of preparing
such work is not easy of comprehension,
but some idea of it may be gained from the
statement that there were engaged in the
production of the Standard dictionary PAT
Office editors and specialists with nearly
800 readers for quotations, and some hun
dreds of other men and women who have
rendered effective service in various ways.
The editors were chosen from the ranks of
the ablest English and American scholars,
each an authority, and representing all
that is latest and most approved in his es-
pecial field; so the work may justly be said
to be ''the joint product of many minds,
rejecting the whole scholarship of the pres
ent age"
There are many features in which gen
uine advance over even the completest work
OF similar nature is noted, and cOntin-
ued use of the book proves its unsurpassed
value and special adaptation to the use of
busy people While it is full and compre-
hensive on the one hand, it has also been
so carefully edited as to eliminate useless or
unnecessary expressions. Being the latest
publication it has the advantage of previ-
GUS works, and outranks its competitors at
numerous points. Its vocabulary exceeds
100000 words, an increase of $1,000 over
the most recently published. While this
in itself would count for little, careful ex-
animation will show that the increase is
due to the pains-taking search into all lit
erature for previously unrecorded i'm
portant terms, and that all arts and trades
have been made to contribute words which
are of Importance to individuals making a
study along those particular lines. The
compact and convenient form of the book
adds to its value as a work of reference. 1t
Is put out in one or two-volume form, with
substantial, yet rich binding; the one vol
ume though heavy and large, is not un-
wieldy, while the two-volume edition is of
very convenient size and shape. The print,
though fine, is exceptionally clear and cas-
lily read. Consultation of the book is made
easy by the introduction ofthumb- holes on
the margins, properly lettered. The initial
letters are repeated on the margins of each
page and also on the binding, opposite the
thumb-hole, so that any letter may be readily
| opened to from back or front of the book.
The arrangement of the book shows what
may be accomplished by condensation and
| system. The idea of grouping related
words has been followed out with excellent
results For instance, under the single word
la ie M
other words, representing types of archi-
| lecture, under each of which the subject is
| explained and further distributed. Anoth-
er form of grouping brings together under
particular subject, as agriculture" the
technical words and principal terms en-
| ployed in 1t. Derivatives are also grouped
oftentimes with the stem word. A valu-
able feature of the Standard is its consis-
tency with itself, especially in syllabication,
compromising and capitalization. A care
full attempt has been made to systematize
the use of hyphened words. No other die
tionary has attempted to set any standard
for capitalization, but in this book the
words are printed in lower case throughout.
except proper nouns and proper ad diectives,
where the capital letter is used, in accord
ance with grammatical rules.
The merit of the Standards definitions
is that they are concise, simple and to the
point Close distinctions are sharply noted.
Much care is taken to make technical and
scientific terms clear and exact, it being
particularly valuable in these respects. In
the accuracy and clearness of its definitions
rests the chief value of dictionary, and in
this regard the Standard eXcels. Disputed
spellings and pronunciatons have been
considered by an advisory board of so phil
ologists, from all the English-speaking
countries, and decision reached only after
careful comparison of the opinions of each
with the others. Special attention is given
to lists of synonyms and autonyms, this
department being very full and complete.
Illustrations are freely but judiciously
used. There are numerous one and two
page illustrations, a number of rich illumi-
mated pages, beside the engravings and di-
agrams introduced on almost every page,
none being used, however, except where
they are of advantage in the definition of
terms.
The appendix, of several hundred pages,
is no less complete and carefully edited
than the body of the work, and includes an
explanation of the scientific alphabet, used
in the book for indicating pronunciation
proper names, with definitions; foreign
phrases, examples of faulty diction, dis
puted spellings, and abbreviations.
The Standard dictionary is work which
in an especial manner meets the common
needs of the people, both of the scholar and
the unlearned, and is particularly valuable
in newspaper office because of its conden-
sation and convenient form as well as its
accuracy. 1t merits the many favorable
comments it has received, both in this
country and in England. The Liverpool
(Eng.) Daily Post pronounces it ''an i'm
plement that will be of vast service to those
who cultivate the literary arts on either
side of the Atlantic, monument to Amer
lean industry" while DIR. j. w. Palmer
writes, 81 do not hesitate to say that the
Standard dictionary is triumphantly the
best of all English word books; that in its
surprising clearness and accuracy it is with
out peer" Certain it is that those who
use it come to regard it as an invaluable
and certain guide in word study.
Pain frCu ind