The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-21
TO HONOR DIR. FURNIvALL.
A Movement 10 Celebrate the Great
Scholars Birthday.

BALTIMORE, Jan. 20.-Dr. J. W Bright.
Of English, has Just issued a statement
of the decision reached by the English and
American committees working to celebrate
the seventy fifth anniversary OF the birth
Of DR.. Furnivall. the great English scholar,
in fitting way. The formation OF the
committees and their general purpose was
described last autumn, when DR.. Bright
and DR.. G. L. Kittridge. of Harvard, were
appointed honorary secretaries for America.
The statement of the secretaries explains
itself:
"Dr. Furnivall Will be seventy-fve years
old on the 4th of next February, and It is
proposed that the congratulations Of his
friends take shape % in a personal pres
ent. t2) In a Festschrift FESTIVAL book
and go in a public endowment. Dr. Fur
n!vall's fondness for sculling suggests a
boat as an appropriate personal present.
For the Festschrift. to the contents of
which English scholars in both Europe
and America will contribute. Profs. Skeat,
Napier. and Ker have promised their edi
torial services. These first two objects are
already provided for by Dr. Furnivalrs
personal friends. For the public endow
Al
necessary. This endowment is TO be
fund which shall put the Early English
Text Society on firm financial bass.
America has been asked to cooperate
with England in this tribute Of respect
and affection to one Of the most helpful
devoted and unselfiish scholars of our
time The invitation is most appropriate,
for DIR. Furnivall's outspoken sympathy
with our institutions and his countless
favors to American scholars have endear-
ed him TO us all. Nowhere are his services
to learning more generally understood and
appreciated than in America Every
reader OF Chaucer acknowledges a heavy
debt of gratitude TO the founder and di-
rector Of the Chaucer Society Everybody
who uses the great oxford dictionary re-
members that without DR.. Furnivall IL
never would have come into existence
And these are but two examples of the
benefits which this self sacrificing worker
has conferred on his generation.
ITO the Early English Text Society DR.
Furnivall has devoted what may almost
be called the work Of a lifetime. It's
publications are invaluable. and ii is still
pushing ahead in its task OF making the
manuscript literature of the old and mid
die English periods accessible 10 all in
trustworthy editions and at a moderate
price. The society has never had sub
scribers eno1gh, however TO enable IL TO
work at the top Of its speed, and IL has
no permanent fund. The friends of Dr.
Furnivall, therefore. believe that no more
fitting tribute TO his public services can
be paid than such an endowment of the
society as shall ensure the continuance
of its work. The endowment is not the |
concern of scholars alone. but oil every |
body who is In any way interested In the
English language and English literature
1T is believed that the amount OF the |
American subscription TO this birthday |
fund will be commensurate with the oc-
casion and the object. Some large sub |
scriptions are, of course. looked for. But |
IL is hoped that the plan will appeal 10
many persons who cannot afford to con-
tribute much, but who will desire to show |
their gratitude TO DIR. Furnivall or their |
sympathy with the project by giving what |
they can"