READ AND YOU WILL KNOW.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10248, 18 January 1899, Page 2

READ AND YOU WILL KNOW.

Picking up knowledge is eaey enough ii you look for it in the right place., Webster's International Dictionary is the right place to learn jnst what you require to know. It has wider acceptance and i» more generally adopted in actual use as a standard authority than any other lexicon in the world. It is heartily recommended by the Universities, Colleges, and by Inspectors and Head Masters of Schools, almost without number. Normal School, Christehurch, Dec. 17, 1898. As a concise encyclopaedia of the world'-i knowledge of things, and ns an exponent pt the meaning and history of English words, the International Dictionary is a worthy example of the genius of the American people m book production, livery teacher should possess a copy of some such work, and it would be hard indeed to find any better adapted to all the purposes for which he would find it necessary to consult a book of reference. The appendix just added of Australasian words and phrases adds a special value ior all whoso interests is centred in a southern colony. W. J. ANDERSON, LL. D., For the Inspectors of the North Canterbury Board of Education, New Zealand. It is warmly endorsed and commended by men and women of recognised authority to literature, education, and science, all over the world. Right Rev. Churchill Julius, D.D., Bishop of Christehurch, writee: — The 'International Dictionary' is a floference library of extraordinary value. The wealth of learning and skilful labour revealed ou every page, is rivalled by the ingenuity which has rendered such a vast macs of accurate information so readily accessible^ C. H. H. Cock, Esq., Professor of Mathematics, Canterbury College, Christehurch, writes: —For many years past I have been in the habit of using Webster's Dictionary as a book of reference, and have found the definitions of the words accurate and complete, and the illustrations of the uses of the words very helpful indeed. I have examined the new edition (1898), and have tested it principally with reference to mathematical and scientific terms, and I have been greatly surprised at the fulness with wlricli_they have been treated: in many cases indeed they are not -merely provided with a definition, but they are fully explained, juet as they would be in treatises specially devoted to the subjects to which they relate. To the Australasian edition have been added a Dictionary of Australasian words, an Australian Gazetteer, a Biographical Dictionary, and a Dictionary of History, so that the book forms an exceedingly complete and useful work of reference for residents in these colonies. The Rev. Canon Walter Harper, SubDean of Christchurch Cathedral, writes: — I have much pleasure in fully endorsing the opinion of many others who have examined carefully Webster's International Dictionary, that the work is of a most valuable and useful character, and that it contains full and accurate information on almost every subject. A. W. Bickerton, Esq., Profeeeor of Chemistry and Physics, Canterbury College, writes:—The Australasian edition of •Webster's International Dictionary is a perfect mine of information, pure gold throughout, for the able editors have apparently rejected all but very valuable material. Had I poasessed my copy when I wrote my Romance of the Earth, it wou'd have saved mc much labour in authenticating the matter of the articles. I have referred to it for information on several of the rare chemical elements, and found what I wanted. Even such recent matter as Rontgen rays and the element have their proportionate space allotted them. Altogether I feel the work to be a wonderful production, and well worth its price. Hon. W. P. Reeves, Agent-General for New Zealand, writes: —The more I try the new Webster the better I like it. Complete without being cumbrous, compact, yet in no way ecanty, the International Dictionary is both sufficiently scientific for the scholar, and handy enough for the hurried man of business. It is the only work of the kind I know which thoroughly recognises the changing and progressive character of our language. Other Dictionaries may tell us more about the tongue as spoken and written by our great-grandfathers, but Webster's gives us the English language as actually in use to-day. . James Hector, M.D., Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, writes: — Webster's International Dictionary is one of the most excellent production* of publishing enterprise. The Rev. Wm. Jas. Habens, Secretary and Inspector-General of Schools, Education Department, Wellington, writes:— Your Australasian edition of Webster , * International Dictionary has evidently been prepared with very great care, and has been brought thoroughly up to date. Edward Tregear, Esij., author MaoriPolynesian Dictionary, writes:—l have examined with great pleasure the new Australasian edition of your Dictionary. It i» undoubtedly the finest work of reference that either a student or a business man could wish to have. The information, the arrangement, and above all the scrupulous accuracy of the work are above praise. For Australian and New Zealand colonists it is of especial value. Robert Lee, Esq., Inspector of Schools, Wellington, writes ir-I am recommending teachers throughout this educational district to purchase the International Dictionary. It is exceedingly good value for, the outlay, and no good scnool should be without such an excellent book of reference. P. Goyen, Esq., Senior Inspector of Schools, Otago, N.Z., write*: —1 have for many years used the old edition of Webster's Dictionary, regarding it a* the best single volume dictionary in the language; and, after using it for some weeks, I nave no hesitation in saying that the Australasian edition, recently published, is greatly superior to the edition that has for so many years been so serviceable to mc. It i* a mine of information, and, so far, has failed mc on none of the many points on which I have consulted it. The dictionary of Australasian terms, the Australasian Gazetteer, the Biographical dictionary of noteworthy Australasians, and the History of Australasia are most useful appendices to a most excellent work. I should like to Bee a copy of this fine dictionary in every school in the Colony. W. F. Worley, Esq., Secretarr of Educational Institute, Nelson, writes:—Disregarding all the glowing testimonials in favour of the "International Dictionary," I have for myself carefully examined it, and am satisfied that it is an excellent work. I applied to it four tests. (1) I referred to several scientific terms, with which I am familiar, and in which extreme accuracy in definition is desirable. (2) I turned up the names of birds and plants found only in New Zealand. (3) I searched the Gazetteer for names of places discovered in recent years, and for names of small places in New Zealand. (4) Hooked for sgme words that I could not find in other dictionaries. With each test I was thoroughly satisfied, and in some cases fairly astonished at the comprehensiveness of the dictionary. I shall have much pleasure in recommending it to the teachers of this diatrict. The Secretary, General Post Office, Wellington, writes:—ln reply to your, letter I have the honour to inform you that Webster's International Dictionary has been adopted as a standard by this Department. The privilege of consulting an acknowledged authority upon every subject within the range of human knowledge is one of the advantages secured in using Webster's International Dictionary. Many persons think that to compile a dictionary, though laborious, is simple, and that it is sufficient to write down the words with their proper spelling to explain the meaning and to give the pronunciation. To produce one of any value far more is required, and to meet the difficult questions that consequently arise, demand all the scholarship of the age. With this work in his library, the reader need not any longer be so greatly alarmed by the wonderful rate at which knowledge is increasing. He cannot, and should not hope to be an expert in every conceivable form of knowledge, but so far as any one book can give terse, accurate, and satisfactory information upon any ordinary term used in the commercial, industrial, or scientific world, or in the whole round of the sciences, trades, professions, or occupations, he will find it in Webster's International Dictionary. * 6141