Middletown transcript., 1911-08-05
WEBSTER'S NEW DICTIONARY

WED0AEk , NEW DlIlLUNAk1
/ | have made a careful examination of
the wonderfully finedictionary"W ebster's
New Standard Dictionary now being
offered to the public by the Erery Eyening
for the smell price OF 9S, 81, and 48 cents
and ''six consecutive coupons" from that
paper. have compared it with Funk
and Wagnall's dictionary of about the
same size with $1,000 words and phrases,
and seldom found word in that diction-
ary that was not also in the Webster:
but on the contrary found words in the
Webster which were not in the Funk
and Wagnall's-once as many as eight
on single pagel 1t is safe to say, then,
that there are over 1000 words in the
"Webster's New Standard Dictinary."
Besides the dictionary proper there are a
number of other features which add
greatly to its usefulness. Look at this
long list of subiects-aIl of practical use.
which go with the dictionary itself.
"Origin, Composition and Derivation Of
the English Language. Principles of
Grammar. Simplified Spelling. Key to
Pronunciation. Dictionary of the Eng.
lish Language. Synonyms and Antonyms.
Christian Names of Men. Christian
Names of Women. Foreign Words,
Phrases, Quotations, etc. Facts About
the Earth. Declaration of Independence.
Constitution of the United States.
Metric System of Weights and Measures.
Value of Foreign Coins in o. S. Money.
Time Difference. Weather Forecasts.
Presidents of the United States. Lang
usge of Flowers. Language of Gems.
States, Names of, origin and meaning.
Dictionary Commercial and Legal Terms.
Familiar Allusions. Famous Characters
in Poetry and Prose. Decisive Battles.
The 1910 Census
After careful reading of them all,
am impressed with their practical, ser.
viceable character. The brief "History of
the English Language, its Origin, Com.
position etc.," is excellent; the simple
summary of its grammar is we'll done;
that important reform in our absurd and
inconsistent spelling-the weakest point
in our great language-known as the
'simplifed spelling, ISSUED by the Board
in 1905 and now being widely used, is
clearly set out, and the 300 words adopt.
ed are given in the reformed spelling.
This feature and the 1900 or more Syno.
nyms (Words of similar meaning) and
Autonyma words of exactly opposite
meaning) are well worth the price of the
book
So, too, the full list of"C Commercial and
Legal Terms," is another feature of great
value, as is also the other miscellaneous
information given. Also the Familiar
Allusions" and Famous Characters in
Poetry and Prose-" references which
are constantly met with not only in the
classic literature of our English speech,
but in the writers of to-day and in the
newspapers. This highly important ad-
junct to the dictionary cannot fail to
prove source both of pleasure and pro.
fit to every purchaser. Then besides all
these there is mass of useful material
very handy for reference.
Indeed take it altogether, it is a wise
choice OF valuable matter that is found in
connection with these word definitions I
think have never seen so much really
sensible, useful information gathered in
a volume OF this size and price. And
it is not mere padding inserted to fill up
the book, but solid, wisely selected mat
ters that far from encumbering the work,
greatly supplement its efficiency and
value.
The 9S cent dictionary is handsomely
and strongly bound-in fact all three
styles are-in fine limp leather-real
leather, not leatherette paper; the stock
is heavy, finely calendered book paper
which does not allow its plain print to
''show through" The words defined
are printed in heavy-faced type so black
and plain that even persons Of poor eye.
sight can readily read them.
Then scattered through the dictionary
proper are Is pages Of valuable charts in
two colors, besides 1900 subjects" in three
colors, and about 80 pages in monotone.
cannot make out how it is done-aIl
this for 98 and 81 cents according to the
style Of binding; nor how the trifle of 48
cents buys all this except the colored
plates and chartsI But it is done!
The Erery Evening deserves the highest
praise for putting so eminently useful
work within the reach OF even the poorest
reader. 1t is stroke of newspaper enter
prise that rebounds to its credit and
should, as l doubt not it will, iDcrea,e
the number of that, journals grateful
readers.
I think everyone will concede me the
right to play the role of an Aristarchus in
the matter of English dictionaries. might
also say in conclusion that these observa-
tions are voluntarily given and not ior
price. l have myself bought q conyz
though have several English dictionaries
already; and for a handy dictionary, I
esteem it a treasure and advise your
readers, Mr.. Editor, also to get them
selves copy. WILLIAM E. WRIGHT.