^'8o remarks on grammar. Feh. I'i. 



•during the progrefs of the work, who fliould take 

 ■care, after they had been duly considered and appro- 

 ved, to insert them under the proper heads, for a 

 second and more correct edition of the work. 



One stumbling block that lies in the way to mis- 

 lead, or at least to add unnecefsary bulk to a work 

 of this kind is etymologies. These have been the 

 source of much perplexity and error. But it is a 

 hobby that learned men are so well pleaded to mount, 

 that it would perhaps be cruel to deprive them of the 

 favourite recreation. It can do little other harm 

 than adding to the bulk of a work, as men of sense 

 have now little reliance upon it. Thej know, that 

 without being certain of the language from which 

 a word has been derived, the conclusions to be dedu- 

 ced from etymology are infinitely ludicrous ; and who 

 is it that knows all the languages from which worda 

 may have been derived ? Some men know a few of 

 the ancient languages of Europe ; but is there any 

 man that can say, with certainty, these languages 

 -were not composed of others that are now lost, with- 

 out a knowledge of wliich, the radical etymology of 

 inany words may have been lost ? Without this 

 knowledge, etyuiologists might be compared to the 

 learned apothecary, who explained the phrase hernia 

 humoralis, (a cant phrase for the p — x.) by gravely 

 saying it was a very good name, for certainly it is 

 an eruption of the Intniours, 



Among other particulars that fliould be adverted Xo 

 in such a dictionary, Hiould be obsolete words, and 

 provincialisms. Words that zxz now obsolete are o£- 

 <en very good> and might with propriety be adopted 



