THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 834, 7 March 1903, Page 3

THE OLD AND THE NEW.

The fulness with which “ Thu Century ( Dictionary & Cyclop.euia & 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 bo included, but he declared that it was impracticable to porform so formidable a task. His confession of this want in his dictionary is worth reading: , , . , “ That many torms both of art and manufacture are omitted must bo frankly U acknowledged, but for this defect I may “ boldly allego that it was unavoidable. I “could not visit 'caverns to loam the miner’s language, nor tako a voyage to « perfect my skill in the dialect of naviga- “ tion, nor visit tbo warehouses of mer- “ chants 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 on- “ nuiry brought within my reach has not “ been neglected; but it had been a bopo- ■■ less labour to g l o an up words by courting “ living information, and contesting with “ the sullennesa of one, and the roughness “of another.” Johnson’s “larger” dictionary contained 40,000 word s . 'The Century ” contains *225,000 words and 50,000 word-compounds. Such has been the growth of tho English language, and such, too, the enlargement of our conception of what a dictionary

ought to bo. .... The fact that all other dictionaries combined cannot tako tho place of “ Tub CkNTUKY ” 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 Encyclopedia 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.