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THE NEW EDITION OF WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY.*

THE price of the previous editions of Webster's Dictionary, that of 1828, in two volumes quarto, at twenty dollars, and that of 1840, in two volumes, royal octavo, at fifteen dollars, was such as to keep it out of the possession of the majority of those who desired such a work. The present edition, comprising all the matter of the former ones, after a thorough revisal of the whole, and with large additions, appears in a single volume of fourteen hundred and forty-one pages, crown quarto, in a type, though small, yet beautifully distinct, presenting a page on which the eye can rest with pleasure, and run with ease, at the price of six dollars, -an unprecedented achievement in the art of book-making in this country.

The reputation of Webster's Dictionary has been constantly gaining strength with the progress of time. The result, in the first place, of more than twenty years of study and toil--in which we have an example, in a country like ours, most singular and to be admired, of persevering devotion, solitary and unapplauded, to a labor purely literary, requiring extraordinary ability, and capable of yielding no immediate return of profit or honor-this work, surpassing everything in the same department from the mother country, with all her advantages, was an honor to our own land, of which we were quite too insensible. Slighted by some, and by the majority more or less undervalued, from the very fact that it was a home production; while others were repelled, and in a measure blinded to the real merits of the work, by orthographical changes, offensive, because unfamiliar; it has, however, worked its way, and even gained for itself a reputation from the other side of the water.

The work continued to receive emendations from the author's hand, to the very close of his life, which was prolonged, with powers still vigorous, to the age of more than eighty-five years, and to a period of just fifty years after he first conceived the design.

The preparation of the present edition was intrusted to Professor Goodrich, of Yale College, who has devoted nearly three years to this task, for which he is well known to be excellently qualified by the studies which have been the labor of his life as professor of rhetoric. Aware, however, that it is "impossible for any one mind to embrace all the departments of knowledge," the editor has secured the aid of other gentlemen, in particular branches of science, art and literature, who have become responsible for the classes of words relating to their several departments; revising the whole, remodelling or enlarging old definitions, and adding and defining new words. This has been done for the department of law, by the Hon. Elizur Goodrich; ecclesiastical history and ancient philosophy, by Dr. Murdock; chemistry, by Professor Silliman; botany, anatomy, physiology, medicine, and some branches of natural history, by Dr. Tully; Oriental literature, to some extent, by Professor Gibbs; astronomy, meteorology, and natural philosophy, by Professor Olmsted; mathematics, by Professor Stanley; geology, mineralogy, and other subjects, by James D. Dana, Esq.; entomology and practical astronomy, more or less, by Edward C. Herrick, Esq.; and painting and the fine arts, by Nathaniel Jocelyn, Esq.; a general revision of these classes of words, through the first two letters of the alphabet, having been previously made by Dr.

An American Dictionary of the English Language: Containing the whole vocabulary of the first edition in two volumes, quarto. the entire corrections and improvements of the second edition in two volumes, royal octavo; to which is prefixed an Introductory Dissertation on the Origin, History, and Connection of the Languages of Western Asia and Europe; with an explanation of the principles on which languages are formed. By NOAH WEBSTER, L.L.D., &c., &c. Revised and enlarged by CHAUNCEY A. GOODRICH, Professor in Yale College. WithPronouncing Vocabularies of Scripture, Classical and Geographical Names. Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam. 1848.

the work.

J. G. Percival. We have thus the best possible guarantee for the completeness and accuracy of a most important part of In this way, and by the thorough use which has been made of encyclopedias and of dictionaries of particular arts and sciences, commercial, maritime, and military affairs, domestic economy, agriculture, architecture, &c., a new and valuable feature has been added to the work, distinguishing it from all other dictionaries of the language.

The first point to be considered in judging of a dictionary, respects the selection of words comprised in the vocabulary. It is not desirable to include all such words as may have been licentiously used by some eccentric writer, in a single instance, where of course they interpret themselves, or every possible word that can, by composition or inflection, be analogically formed; for their introduction would serve only to corrupt the language. Nor is such a work the place for those terms of art or science, which occur only in special treatises, where they are of course defined; while it is of the first importance that such technical and scientific, or for any other reason unfamiliar terms, as the general reader may occasionally or frequently meet, should be embraced and clearly defined. In this work great pains have been taken, both to leave out the words which should be excluded, and to collect all which should be introduced; and when we learn that in this manner, some thousands of words have been added in this edition, this fact alone is evidence of a great enhancement of value. As specimens of their character, we select a few, mostly under letter C:

Calembourg; Canal-boat; Cam, (in mechanics ;) Canonicity: Canterbury, (a stand for music, portfolios, &c.:) Cantabrigian; Casino; Cassava; Cast-iron; Catharine-wheel (in architecture;) Catafalco; to Chair and Chairing, [Eng. ;] Chaparral; Charte, [Fr. ;] Chief-justice; Cheval glass; Cheroot; Chiltern hundreds; Chinchilla; Childe; Circulating medi; Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus and Nimbus, and their compounds, with definitions by Prof. Olinsted; Class; Clinker; Clique; Closecorporation; Club-house, (fully explained in the present English sense ;) Coffer-dam; Coldshoulder, (to give the :) Collapse; Commoncarrier, with his liabilities explained; Comnunist; Congreve-rocket; Cordon sanitaire ;

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These are but a few among others of the same sort. It will be seen that they are, for the most part, the very words for which a dictionary is most needed.

It is in the definitions that the chief value of a dictionary lies. In this respect, the superiority of Dr. Webster's over other English dictionaries, has been settled beyond dispute. He who attempts this difficult task must set out with the true idea of the work; and even then he may show, that to have a correct theory is one thing, and to carry it out successfully in execution, quite another. The meaning of words consists of a primary or radical signification, and of secondary senses proceeding from it, according to laws revealed in the philosophy of language. This primary signification is by no means always the most general. Words pass from one particular sense, to another allied to the first by resemblance or analogy; or from one object to another, the two being linked by some usual or constant connection. Also, instead of merely leaping from particular to particular, or, we should rather say, by a continuance of this very process, they expand into a general and comprehensive signification. In other cases, however, the primary meaning is general, and the secondary are limitations of the same as applied to particular subjects. It is to be remarked, that the first law, that of expansion, works chiefly in the early growth of languages; while the other, which may be called that of limitation or sub-division, prevails as they advance in cultivation. Not unfrequently, some ambitious secondary sets up for itself, declares independence, as it were, and sends off in a new direction a progeny having no apparent connection with the original stock. For instance, the word digest, meaning primarily to distributeand hence, first, to arrange methodically, as a body of law, and second, to dispose of food introduced into the stomach-from this point moves to the laboratory, and there sig

nifies a certain process of dissolving or softening substances by a gentle heat; from the same point, again, it starts off in another direction, and an affront is said to be digested, when it is brooked-and, by the way, this word to brook, comes from a Saxon original, meaning to chew, eat, or digest-and by the same figure an insult may be swallowed or stomached. The growth of words is as regular, and at the same time as irregular and diversified, as that of trees and plants; not forgetting the suckers which shoot up from the old root, and the branches which sometimes strike down and take root anew.

It is the duty of the lexicographer to seize, if possible, the primary meaning of words. And, since no root shoots up and ramifies to absolute infinity, and as every general signification is bound by usage to determinate consequential meanings and specific applications, and not ordinarily allowed the full range of its capacity, the lexicographer is required to enumerate, define and exemplify particular senses, and to deduce and arrange them in a logical manner. A word thus defined as it should be, is distinguished from all others from which it really differs, though they may have with it the same radical or the same general sense, or-while in this respect agreeing or differing, as the case shall be may coincide with it in some particular meaning or application. Now, if, in disregard of these principles, a word be defined by synonyms-that is, by annexing all or sundry of those with which it agrees in its general or radical sense, and adding to the same all those with which it coincides in any of its several applications, and which are even then only a partial equivalent-it is evident, that we are set afloat on a sea of confusion. It is true that a dictionary constructed on such a plan-or no plan of mere aggregation, may, to one already master of the language, furnish useful hints for the memory; or to one but partially versed in it, may be an assistance in guessing out the meaning of a passage; but for certain definite information, such as shall give to one familiar with the use of the words, a fuller insight, precise, enlarged, and logical notions of the words, and for a learner shall fix with absolute certainty the meaning in a given case, for this we should search in vain,

and spend our time and labor for nought.

To illustrate our meaning, in part, by example. In Richardson's Dictionary, we find the following definition of the word execute, which, on the plan of his work, is made to answer for all the derivatives, executor, executive, execution, executioner:

"To follow out, (sc.) to the end; to the fulfilment or completion; to the act, effect, or full performance; and thus to act, to use, to perform, fulfil, or complete: to perform, (sc.) the sentence or adjudication of the law, and thus to kill, or put to death; to slay."

From this labored attempt at definition, who would infer, that to execute a deed or a lease, signifies, not to vacate the premises or put in possession, but to sign and seal the instrument of conveyance? Or, supposing this by some means known to the inquirer, how is he to learn that the executor of a will is not the testator, who signs and seals it, but the person appointed by him to carry it into effect? In the meanwhile, he would be likely to get no idea of executive power, or of the execu tive department of the government, or of the executive himself, other than what is appropriate to a sheriff or a hangman. In what connection, to execute, means to use, we cannot conjecture. Why not say, to execute is, to take? for to execute vengeance is certainly to take vengeance. Nor are all possible applications of the general meaning, as here defined, allowable in use.

Thus he who should follow out ultra free-trade principles to all their consequences, or carry them out in full effect, could not be said (except in a figure) to execute them; principles are applied, not executed.

This example, which is really a favorable specimen of Richardson's manner of definition, we lighted on almost at random. He was led to this neglect of the real, practical ends of a dictionary, by a false theory-by setting out with principles radically wrong. His work has its value for scholars, in the numerous quotations from writers of every period of our literature; but, notwithstanding the partiality and the high expectation with which it was received among us, those who have tried it, have undoubtedly found, that for the

ordinary uses of a dictionary, it is of little | worth.

Mr. Richardson has led us almost to lose sight of Mr. Webster. We should like to set in contrast with his some of the definitions in the work of the latter. But our limits allow us to do little more than remark in general, that they are prepared in accordance with the principles we have laid down, in a manner far superior to any other work in the language, and the present improvements and additions included-so well, in most cases, as to leave little or nothing to desire. We have the several meanings of a word properly deduced and arranged, and fully and precisely explained; authorities given; pertinent examples quoted, when needed; words specified, or classes of words, with which the given word may stand in connection; English or American peculiarities, and obsolete or vulgar usage indicated; combinations of words explained, and the curious historical origin of many common phrases laid open. Technical, scientific, and philosophical terms, and names of objects in nature, are defined, not merely in a general way,—as to say, for instance, that iodine is a substance in chemistry, that Platonism is the doctrine of Plato, or that lichen is a kind of moss-a too frequent fault of Dr. Johnson,-but we have definitions, or descriptions, though popular in form, yet as complete as are to be found in elaborate treatises. Our Boards of Education, if this work should be circulated as widely as it ought to be, may spare themselves the trouble of appending glossaries to their volumes for the people. Nor have we merely such a definition of a thing, as may designate precisely what is intended; but commonly a brief summary of all that is most important to be known respecting it. So that-biography and history excepted--we have in this work a condensed encyclopedia of all knowledge, which, for the purposes of ordinary reference, is even preferable to voluminous cyclopedias, general or special.

The work is chiefly indebted for its value in relation to scientific and technical matters, to the labors of the present editor and his coadjutors. As specimens of new definitions of this class, we would refer to such words as zoophyte, caddis-worm, coral, quartz, feldspar, pyrites, conchoidal,

infusoria, echinus, &c., by Mr. Dana; lightning, libration, clouds, horizon, declination, steam-engine, by Prof. Olmsted; and transcendentalism, Platonism, nominalist, pietist, Nestorian, &c., by Dr. Murdock. In every class of words not only have new definitions been added, but the former ones improved, by the addition of new senses, the correction of errors, and by receiving greater fullness and precision. These various improvements appear on every page.

In Etymology, Dr. Webster struck out an entirely new path, in which he labored with incredible patience and zeal, and with such success, that in this department no English or American scholar, before or since, has any claims to comparison with him. He tells us that, after writing through two letters of the alphabet, finding the need-as a guide to correct definition--of more thorough etymological knowledge than previous inquirers could give, he went back and spent ten years in this study! Undoubtedly, he might have arrived, in some cases, at conclusions more certain and satisfactory, could he have added to his own, the results and the methods of inquiry of the later German philologists. But the same tree which, in that intellectual hot-bed, has yielded so rich fruit, he reared and cultivated with success, even in so sterile a clime. The fruit of his labors, besides what appears in the dictionary, is treasured in an unpublished work half as large, a Synopsis of twenty Languages, containing the working-out of his etymological problems.

That, in those wide generalizations, in which are traced the germs from which our words have arisen, he fell into no errors, he himself never imagined. But particular mistakes here are of little consequence, compared with that of the correctness of his fundamental principles. They were briefly these: that some physical idea was the earliest root of every meaning given to words; that, as phenomena were first named, and things named from their phenomena, the radical idea was generally some variety of motion, including of course the action of living bodies. Of their soundness, we can all have evidence, not only from the exigencies of the case, and the nature of the human mind, but by observing, as we may, in the later

formations of language, the operation of the very same laws, to such an extent as to prove that they must also have controlled the earlier changes which lie hidden from ordinary inspection. As respects etymologies less remote, the work is fully reliable; and in the many English words which have words corresponding in the different languages of Europe, all are exhibited. In the department of etymology, the present editor has made little change, but has taken care to have the words from other languages given with

correctness.

The Orthography of Dr. Webster has undergone some important changes in this edition, which will, we think, render it generally satisfactory. Some of his proposed improvements, founded on etymological grounds, of little importance, yet too violent to be generally acceptable among us,-though such things are differently received in Germany and France,-have been dropped. Those founded on reasons of analogy and convenience, have been generally retained. But, says the objector to all improvements, our orthography ought not to be unsettled. Now, the fact is it has never yet been settled. A somewhat greater uniformity prevails, than was the case two centuries since; when the same word was spelled several different ways on the same page, and even in the same sentence, and perhaps with something like half a dozen more lettters than we think necessary at present. Nearly a hundred years ago, Dr. Johnson said of the English orthography, "It has remained to this time unsettled and fortuitous;" and the same is in a measure true, even now. And why is this? Why did even Johnson's authority fail to settle it? Simply, because he overlooked those principles on which alone it could be settled; those principles which, for two centuries, have been struggling against chance and capricious custom, and have gradually brought the present degree of order out of the original chaos. In countenancing such outrageous anomalies and irregularities as he found existing, he could not arrest this progress, though he may have hindered it, and delayed the period of fixed

ness.

Had he attempted something like what Dr. Webster did; had he, without excluding the existing forms, at the same

time suggested improvements, founded on those principles of analogy and of the rejection of superfluities, which the mind of the nation in its language was unconsciously striving to realize; it is possible, that before this time, the contending elements would have found a level.

In attempting here, what Dr. Johnson left undone, Dr. Webster has rendered a service of no little value. There could certainly be no advantage in having to stop the pen, or interrupt the current of thought, to ascertain, by an effort of recollection, or a reference to authority, that tameuble, for instance, had an e in the middle; and again, that blamable had not ; and the same of moveable and immovable, and many others. And why should not metre conform to diameter? why should not centre, and a few others, follow in the wake of cider and chamber, and a large class, all from French words in re? and why should not labour, honour, &c., fall at once into rank, dropping the useless u, as they must do sooner or later? The inconvenience to multitudes, resulting from capricious irregularities; the labor and perplexity they cause to every child who learns to write; the difficulty which they add to others, tending to deter foreigners from acquiring our language--thus obstructing the influence of the English and American mind-are disadvantages of no trifling moment. Words are a means, not an end. Civilization exhibits itself in nothing more decisively, than in simplifying and rendering less cumbrous, all the mere instruments by which its results are effected. Shall not language, the great instrument of civilization itself, share as far as possible in the same benefit?

For a full explanation of the orthography of Dr. Webster, as it appears, modified, in this volume, the reader is referred to pp. viii. and lxxxi. of the introductory part.

The topic of Pronunciation remains. This part of the work was one requiring nicety of ear, with observation, taste, good judgment, added to thorough and scientific study of the subject. These qualifications belong, in an eminent degree, to the editor of this volume. He has accordingly made it as pefect a pronouncing dictionary, as the nature of the case admits.

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