460 Mr. Pickering on the present state of the English language 
BESTOWMENT, the act of bestowing. This is sometimes heard from the 
pulpit in this country, and has been supposed to be of American origin. It 
is not to be foundin Johnson’s nor the other dictionaries, (except the Eng- 
lish part of Ainsworth’s ) nor do I recollect meeting with it in English au- 
thors, or ever hearing it used in England. It cannot, indeed, be said-to be 
very common in this country. Mr. Wedster has it in his dictionary. 
BETTERMENTS. A word used in some of the New England States, to sigs 
nify the improvements made on new lands by cultivating the soil, erecting. ‘ 
houses, &c. “ Betterments, where plaintiff recovers in a real action, kc. 
the jury are to ascertain the increased value by reason of improvements.” 
Index to the laws of New Hampshire. The act here referred to is com- 
monly called the Betterment Act. This word is not in Mr. Webster’s, nor 
in any of the English dictionaries that I have seen, except 40h’s, and there 
itis called “ @ bad word.” It is on noticed by an Rogie traveller when _ 
Speaking of that class of peopl enter upon new lands without any right, 
and proceed to cultivate them— These shen tieimandieitinte to be left own- 
Eon the spiber:pad Dor « heir derterme nts, that is, for what they have done 
‘init >? ak dat az Vol. iii. -p, 160, 
~ 
BOATABLE,« navigable 1 with boats.” Webst, s“ ‘ Pyoga river... ig Beitable 
about fifty miles“ the Seneca Indians say they can walk four times ina 
day from the d0ataéle waters of the Allegany to those of the Tyoga.” 
Morse’s Geography. Notused by sioeatig authors, and rarely seen in 4+ 
BOATING, | “ conveying, or 7 iki eS ‘of transporting in » Webs 
This, as well as the preceding word, seems to be technical among boatmen, 
» 88 carting is among carters, &c. Such words are rarely heard, ig 
among the people of those orcupations. 
BOOK-STORE ; the common name, thro ut the United Scene books 
seller's shop. The Edinburgh Revive notices this term, as one of our pe- 
culiarities ; “ Their booksellers’ shops passing under the name of 600k- 
stores.” Edinb. Rev. for Nov. 1810, p. 121. 
Yo BOTTOM; used with on; v. a. « tobuild ‘upon, to fix sate as. support” 
Johnson. 
ae gtk rd has be oo ae ee ae gee aye diff ene egislative 
Wal ALECG a ha MU ALU whee 
