THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 50, 3 March 1903, Page 3

THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Thefulness with which "The.Century Dictionary and Cyclopaedia and Atlas" treats technical terms .is in admirable contrast to the system adopted by the makers of the old dictionaries. Dr Johnson perceived that technical terms ought to be included, but he declared that it was impracticable to perform so formidable a task. His confession of this want in his dictionary is worth reading:-^

"That many terms both of art and manufacture are ..omitted mast be frankly acknowledged, but for this defect I may boldly allege that it was unavoidable. I could not visit caverns to learn the miner's language, nor take a voyage to perfect my skill in the dialect of navigation, nor visit the warehouses of merchants and shops of artificers to gain the names of wares, tools, and operations of which no mention is found in books. "What favourable accident or easy enquiry brought within my reach has not been neglected; but it had been a hopeless labour to glean up words by courting living information, and contesting with the sullenness of one and the roughness of another."

Johnson's "larger" dictionary contained 40,000 words. " The Century" contains 225,000 words and 50,000 word-compounds. Such has been the growth of the English language, and such, too, the enlargement of our conception of what a dictionary ought to be.

The fact that all other dictionaries combined cannot take the place of " The Century" is due to the original plan upon which this great work was constructed. All other dictionaries were based upon the theory that specialisty needed special dictionaries of technical words. But "The Century" is at onco a and a technical work. As a Dictionary, an Encyclopaedia and an Atlas it fully meets the requirements of all men in every trade and profession, while the liberal terms offered by The Times brings it within the reach of all.

Look out for our Opening Sale on Thursday, March sth, there is money in it.—R. Allan.