Dates.—See [History].
(English.)—One of the most useful English Dictionaries is the "Imperial Dictionary" by Ogilvie, which has been edited with great care by Charles Annandale.[16] The vocabulary is very full, the etymology is trustworthy, and the definitions are clear and satisfactory. The engravings which are interspersed with the text are excellent, and greatly add to the utility of the Dictionary.
For years preparations have been made for a Standard English Dictionary, and at last the work has been commenced under the able editorship of Dr. James A.H. Murray. In 1857, on the suggestion of Archbishop Trench, the Philological Society undertook the preparation of a Dictionary, "which by the completeness of its vocabulary, and by the application of the historical method to the life and use of words, might be worthy of the English language and of English scholarship." The late Mr. Herbert Coleridge and Dr. Furnivall undertook the editorship, and a large number of volunteers came forward to read books and extract quotations. Mr. Coleridge died in the midst of his work, and upon Dr. Furnivall devolved the entire editorship in addition to his other onerous duties as Secretary of the Philological Society. He projected the admirable system of sub-editing, which proved so successful. As the work proceeded several of the most energetic and most competent workers undertook to sub-edit the materials already collected, each one taking a separate letter of the alphabet. Some two million quotations were amassed, but still the man was wanting who would devote his life to forming the Dictionary from these materials. In course of time Dr. Murray came forward, and in 1878 he prepared some specimens for submission to the Delegates of the Clarendon Press, who agreed to publish the Dictionary. The first part was published in 1884, and the second in 1885.[17] It is hoped that in future it will be possible to issue a part every six months. At present the alphabet is carried down to Batten. This is one of the most magnificent pieces of work that has ever been produced in any country, and it is an honour to every one concerned. To the Philological Society who conceived it, to Dr. Murray and his staff who have devoted so much labour and intellect to its production, and to the Clarendon Press who have published it to the world. It is, moreover, an honour to the country which now possesses a well-grounded hope of having, at no distant day, the finest Historical Dictionary ever produced.
In this connection the Encyclopædic Dictionary, now in course of publication by Messrs. Cassell, should be mentioned as a valuable work.
Up to a few years ago it was impossible to obtain any satisfactory etymological information on English words from our Dictionaries. Mr. Hensleigh Wedgwood partly removed this reproach by the publication of his very valuable "Dictionary of English Etymology" in 1859,[18] but in this work Mr. Wedgwood only dealt with a portion of the vocabulary.
Professor Skeat commenced the publication of his indispensable "Etymological Dictionary of the English Language" (Clarendon Press) in 1879, and in 1884 he produced a second edition. In 1882 Professor Skeat published "A Concise Etymological Dictionary," which is something more than an abridgment, and a book which should find a place in all libraries of reference.
A Glossarial Index to the Printed English Literature of the Thirteenth Century. By H. Coleridge. London, 1859. 8vo. This was one of the earliest publications which grew out of the preparations for the great Philological Society's Dictionary. Stratmann's Dictionary of the Old English Language (third edition, Krefeld, 1878) is an indispensable work. A new edition, prepared by Mr. H. Bradley, is about to be issued by the Clarendon Press.
Of single volume Dictionaries, Mr. Hyde Clarke's "New and Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language as spoken and written" in Weale's Educational Series (price 3s. 6d.) is one of the most valuable. I have time after time found words there which I have searched for in vain in more important looking Dictionaries. Mr. Clarke claims that he was the first to raise the number of words registered in an English Dictionary to 100,000.
The Rev. James Stormonth's "Dictionary of the English Language, Pronouncing, Etymological, and Explanatory," is a work of great value. It is so well arranged and printed that it becomes a pleasure to consult it.