284 Inaccuracies in Todd^s Edition 



Art. VII. A Letter to the Editor of the Quarterly Jour^ 

 nalj respecting certain Inaccuracies and Omissions in the 

 Rev. Mr. Todd's Edition q/" Johnson's Dictionary/, 



Sir, London, Nov, 9, 1820. 



Being attached to science, though not a scientific man, I am 

 frequently obliged during the perusal of your Journal to revert 

 to my dictionary for the explanation of certain terms with which 

 I am not sufficiently familiar, though perhaps acquainted with 

 their general import. Finding the definitions in the old editions 

 of Johnson often meagre, and oftener incorrect, I purchased the 

 new edition lately published by the Rev. H. Todd, in which, 

 however, I was much dismayed by discovering very little im- 

 provement in the definition of scientific words, and more espe- 

 cially in those relating to chemistry ; in too many instances 

 erroneous definitions and meanings have been retained, merely, 

 as it would seem, for want of a little trouble in referring to 

 modern authorities ; and on other occasions, the absurdities 

 and jargon of old philosophers, are suffered to pollute and 

 darken those pages which should have been adorned and en- 

 lightened by reference to modern discoveries. In the following 

 pages 1 have in one column put down the word which I looked 

 out, with its definition, as given in Todd's Johnson; and in 

 another column the true meaning is given, with which I have 

 been furnished by a scientific friend. From a numerous list I 

 have selected a few specimens only, which, if you approve, and 

 consider them correct and of any use to the possessor of the 

 above Dictionary, I shall be happy to add to on another oc- 

 casion.. • I am, Sir, 



Your constant Reader. 



C. 



Arsenic, a ponderous mineral Arsenic, a volatile and highly in- 



substance, volatile and uninflam- flammable metal ; called ir^ife arsenic 



mable, ^c. when in the state of oxide, and highly 



poisonous in all its combinations. 



Chemistry. An art whereby sen- Chemistry is the study of the ef- 



sible bodies contained in vessels, or fects of heat and n)ixture, with a 



capable of being contained therein, view of discovering their general and 



