THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7401, 4 March 1903, Page 2

THE OLD AND THE NEW.

The fulness with which " The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia and Atlas treats technical terms is in admirable contrast to the system adopted by the milkers 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 tliiu want in hisdictionery is worth read-

ing : — ••That many terms both of art and niiinufiicturc lire omitted must bo frankly acknowledged, but for this defect I may boldly allc-go that it was unavoidable. 1 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 luid been aliopclcss lubour to glean up words by courting living information, and contesting with the sullenncss of one, and the rough-iic:.-.s of another."

Johnson's " larger " dictionary contains 10,000 words. "The Century" contains '22.j,000 words and 50,000 wordcompounds. Such has been the growth of the English language, and such, too, thu enlargement of our conception of what a dictionary ought to be.

The i'aet 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 specialists needed special dictionaries of technical words. But ■' The Century " is at once a literary and a technical work. As.a Dictionary, an Encyclopaedia and an Atlas it fully meets the requirements of nil men in every trade and profession, while the liberal terms offered by The Times brings it within the reach of all.