PEEFACE TO THE THIED EDITION. 



A PEW years since, I was informed by my publisher that every copy of 

 the two editions of my Dictionary had been disposed of, that the work was 

 in demand, and urging me to prepare a third edition. Although I had by 

 me a large mass of additional matter, I was, at that time, so unceasingly 

 occupied with professional duties, that I had not leisure even to arrange 

 the collected materials. Subsequently, from an affection of the eyes, I 

 abandoned all idea of again taking up my pen as an author. A desire to 

 aid in promoting the spiritual welfare of my fellow creatures, in the 

 erection of a new church, has now induced me to offer a third edition ; 

 an edition by no means such as I could have wished, inasmuch as I have 

 been compelled to abbreviate many portions, and to omit others, lest I 

 should swell the volume to a magnitude beyond the reach of purchasers 

 generally. 



"With these few prefatory observations I close my lexicographical 

 labours ; not from disinclination, but from increasing inability consequent 

 on impaired vision. 



Stonelands, February 16th, 1860. 



