ว 2 "MANY mistakes appear to have been committed by accommodating language to philosophy, instead of applying philosophy to language; or by REASONING FROM LANGUAGE IN ITS MOST POLISHED STATE; and thus determining on the origin of words according to their latest orthography and most prevailing significations.". Classical Journal, vol. vii. p. 121. For an example, read the following quotation : "The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible.' Vide The Creed of St. Athanasius. The English version here va ries from the original. In the Latin, which was the language in which this creed was first penned, it stands thus: the Father immense, the Son immense, and the Holy Ghost immense.' When this translation was first made in our native tongue, the word 'incomprehensible,' was not confined to the sense it now bears, as inconceivable, or beyond or above our understanding; but it then meant not comprehended within any limits,' and answered to the original expression and notion of immensity." See Dr. Mant's Notes on the Book of Common Prayer, page 62. "I am aware that etymological inferences have been laughed at from the occasional abuse of this rational exercise of our mental powers. But where is the art or science that has escaped gross perversion and misuse any more than etymology? which will, at no distant period, break through the gloom of prejudice and misconception, and, with the never-failing light of truth and reason, carry conviction to every thinking breast. "The want of thought in many schools, is owing to the great stress which is there absurdly laid upon memory only: the judgment is consequently as little improved, after some years of memorial drudgery, as if it iv required no care or cultivation whatever. The consequence naturally is, that few persons retain, after five or six years, any more of their classical lore than barely to constitute them tolerable etymologists in their own tongue, though probably not a little defective in its grammar." Stranger's Infallible East Indian Guide, by J. B. Gilchrist, LL.D. "We are far removed from the wisdom of the Greeks when we consider Etymology as a frivolous kind of knowledge, we confound the thing with the abuse of it." See Monde Primitif analysé et comparé avec le Monde Moderne, par M. Court de Gebelin. "To trace the progress of men's ideas, by means of the expressions in which they clothed them-to view terms derived from sensible objects gradually transferred to intellectual notions, and simple energies receiving their successive modifications-is highly interesting to the philosophic mind." Letters from a Father to his Son, p. 36. "Men think least upon the meaning of those words which they have roted most frequently, and which they can repeat most fluently."-" Bacon evidently studied language profoundly and etymologically." Crombie. But "Words are many of them learned before the ideas are known for which they stand; therefore some, not only children but men, speak several words no otherwise than parrots do, only because they have learned them, and have been accustomed to those sounds. so far as words are of use and signification, so far is there a connection between the sound and the idea, and a designation that one stands for the other; without which application of them, they are nothing but so much noise." Locke on the Conduct of the Human Understanding, Book III. chap. ii. § 7. PREF A СЕ. NO man was more competent to speak on the subject of lexicography than Dr. Johnson; he observes, "Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach." This observation holds out little encouragement to any one inclined to tread in the steps of that learned philologist. The Compiler of the following pages has, however, been fortunate enough to gain some portion of praise for a former production of a similar nature; he is therefore induced to present himself once more before the public, with the hope that his labours may be found useful t. * See advertisement at the end of Preface. "It can hardly be necessary to demonstrate the importance of the English language as a study. Too much attention, surely, cannot be devoted to a subject which not only forms the vehicle of thought, but is, in a certain degree, the instrument of invention. That writer, there fore, who freely contributes his mite of information to the Numerous observations might be cited to prove the importance of the subject now taken in hand, but the following perhaps will suffice. "C'est une vérité universellement reconnue aujourd'hui; la cause la plus générale et la plus dangereuse de nos erreurs, de nos mauvais raisonnemens, est dans l'abus continuel que nous faisons des mots." Dictionnaire de l'Académie Françoise. "Ce sont l'exactitude et le bon emploi des mots, qu'il faut considérer comme le criterium de la vérité ; c'est à leur caractère vague, à la manière incertaine et confuse dont on les emploie, qu'il faut attribuer les notions imparfaites, les préjugés, les erreurs et toutes les habitudes vicieuses de l'esprit." Cabanis. "It is necessary, in all controversies and disputations, to imitate the wisdom of mathematicians, in setting down, in the very beginning, the definitions of our words and terms, that others may know how we accept and understand them, and whether they concur with us or no. For it cometh to pass, for want of this, that we are sure to end there, where we ought to have begun, which is, in questions and differences about words." Bacon. "There is no greater impediment to the advancement of knowledge than the ambiguity of words. To this chiefly it is owing that we find sects and parties in most branches of science; and disputes, which are carried on from age to age, without being brought to an issue." Reid on the Intellectual Powers of Man, p. 1. general stock of knowledge, has some title to the public regard. If he be able only to supply some defects, and afford something new in plan, or in matter, the growing importance of the subject will justify him in soliciting the notice of the public." Grant. |