OF ARTS AND SCIENCES : MAY 29, 1866. 115 



say, that, at the time of its publication, notwithstanding the great merits 

 of its chief competitor, the general verdict of scholars at home and 

 abroad placed it at the head of English lexicographical literature ; and 

 if it has since been equalled or surpassed, we may indulge a pardon- 

 able pride in the fact, that the only dictionary of the English language 

 which even now can pretend to rival it in fulness and accuracy is also 

 the product of American enterprise, industry, and scholarship. 



All the works of Dr. Worcester give evidence of sound judgment 

 and good taste, combined with indefatigable industry and a conscien- 

 tious solicitude for accuracy in the statement of facts. The tendency 

 of his mind was practical rather than speculative. As a lexicographer, 

 he did not undertake to reform long-established anomalies in the Eng- 

 lish language : his aim was rather to preserve it from corruption ; and 

 his works have certainly contributed much to that end. In respect both 

 to orthography and pronunciation, he took great pains to ascertain the 

 best usage ; and perhaps there is no lexicographer whose judgment re- 

 specting these matters in doubtful cases deserves higher consideration. 

 In the mazy paths of etymology, if he cannot claim the merit of an 

 original explorer, his good sense preserved him from the wild aberra- 

 tions and extravagances into which many have been misled. His defi- 

 nitions, for neatness and precision, will not suffer, perhaps, in compari- 

 son with those of any of his predecessors ; but it must be confessed that 

 all our English dictionaries too often mistake a special application of a 

 word for an essential change of meaning, and hide its precise significa- 

 tion in a cloud of undiscriminated synonymes. 



In 1827 Mr. Worcester was elected a member of the Massachusetts 

 Historical Society ; and he was an Honorary Corresponding Member 

 of the Royal Geographical Society of London. He was also one of 

 the earliest members of the American Oriental Society. In 1847 he 

 received the degree of Doctor of Laws from Brown University, and 

 afterwards from Dartmouth College. 



Though somewhat cautious and reserved in the expression of his 

 feelings, Dr. Worcester was a man of strong affections, and great be- 

 nevolence of character. He delighted especially to render aid to those 

 who, like himself in early life, were struggling with difficulties in the 

 pursuit of knowledge ; and his sympathy for the poor and unfortunate 

 was warm and active. During the late contest for the maintenance of 

 the Union, and of the principles which lie at the foundation of our 

 Republic, he was thoroughly patriotic. He had no children to conse- 



