WORCESTER. 652 WORDE. WORCESTER, Joseph Emerson (1784-1865). An Aiiicriean lexieograplier and pedagogical writer, bom at Bedford, N. H. A graduate of Yale (1811), he taught at Salem, and after a brief stay at Andover moved to Cambridge (1819), where he devoted himself to study and writing till his death. He had already published a Geoyrai>lucal Dictiununj ( 1817, enlarged 1823), and a GazeHeer of the United States (1818). At Cambridge he produced in rapid succession a number of text books in history and geography. He began his work in lexicography in 1828 by an edition of John- son's Dictionary and an abridgment of ll"e6- ster's American Dictionary (182!)). In 1830 he published a Comprehensive Pronouncinti and Ex- planatory English Dictionary. From 1831 to 18-13 he edited The American Almanac. In 1846 he issued A Universal and Critical Dictionary, and after a suspension of his labors, owing to failure of his eyes (1847-49), repeatedly en- larged this until it became the great quarto Dictionary of the English Lanyuarje (1860), the' first illustrated dictionary in English. Wor- cester's various dictionaries were the first in America to take an objective rather than a didactic position toward the language. In con- trast especially to the work of Webster, they sought to represent the language as it was rather than to mold it in special forms. An enlarged edition of the quarto Dictionary appeared in 1881. In method it has been the model for many successors. WORCESTER, Xoah (1758-1837). A Xew England theologian, born at Hollis, N. H. He served in the Continental Army during the War of Independence; in the New Hampshire Legislature; was licensed as Congregational preacher in 1786; ordained pastor at Thorn- ton in 1787: and in 1802 was employed as State missionary. From 1810 to 1813 he had a ministerial charge at Salisbury, N. H., and then moved to Brighton, JIass., where he began a prolific literary career as editor of The Cliris- tian Disciple (1813-18), followed by The Friend of Peace (1819-29). He was active in founding the American Peace Society (1815). Among his more noteworthy publications are Respectful Ad- dress to the Trinitarian Clerqy (1812), The Atoning ^Sacrifice : uDisptay of Lore, not of Wrath (1829), and Last Thouglits on. Important Sub- jects (1833). Consult Ware, Memoirs of Noah yorr,slrr. D.D. (Boston, 1844). WORCESTER, Thom.s (1705-1878). An American Swedenborgian divine. He was born at Thornton, N. H., son of Xoah Worcester ( q.v. ) ; graduated at Harvard, 1818; was the first Swe- denborgian minister in Massachusetts, being pastor of the Boston Society, 1821-67. He was president of the General Convention of his de- nomination. 1S39-75. WORCESTER COLLEGE. A college at Ox- ford, England, it was founded about 1698 by becjuest of Sir Thomas C'ookcs, Bart., of Bentley Paiincefoot, Worcestershire, for a provost, six fellows, and six scholars. Worcester, though far from the largest or most splendid, is one of the most attractive of Oxford colleges, both in the variety of its buildings, dating from the old monastic houses to the newly decorated chaiiel. and in the bequty and extent of its gardens, which are of remarkable size and charm. Ac- cording to the revised statutes of 1882 there were a provost, eight fellows, several honorary fellows and lecturers, fifteen scholars, and fifteen exhibitioners. The number of undergraduates ia about one hundred. The college presents to ten livings. WORCESTER MUSICAL FESTIVAL. An important English musical festival lield every three years in Worcester. It is more popularly known as the 'festival of the three choirs,' owing to the fact that it was originally given by the cathedral choirs of Gloucester, Worcester, and Hereford, which first assumed the shape of an- nual meetings in 1774. The festivals were held alternately in the three cathedral cities men- tioned. The meetings grew in importance, and increasing numbers of amateur singers joined with the choristers for the purpose of studying the works to be performed, so that although the meetings of the tliree choirs have not exactly re- tained their original character, the cathedral choirs of the three cities still constitute the nucleus of the chorus. In 1836 the festivals were extended to four daj's' duration, on which plan they have since been carried on. The pro- grammes include the great oratorios and other clioral works of the great composers past and present. WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTI- TUTE. A school of technology at Worcester, JIass., founded in 1865 by John Boynton of Templeton, and opened for students in 1868. It offers five courses of study: mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering, chemistry and general science, each covering four years, and all iden- tical during the first term of the freshman year. The equipment of the institute includes "the Salisbury laboratories, especially appropri- ated to work in physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering; the Washburn shops; the magnetic engineering and power laboratories; the hydrau- lic testing plant ; Boynton Hall, containing offices and lecture rooms; and Xewton Hall, a dormitory. The degree of Bachelor of Science is conferred in course, and the advanced degrees of ilaster and Doctor of Science and Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineer are given after the completion of graduate courses. In 1903 the institute had 32 instructors, 275 students, and a library of 7000 volumes. Its productive funds amounted to .$615,000, and the income was $73,- 000. WORCESTERSHIRE, wns'tr>r-shir. A west- ern inland county of England, bounded by Staf- ford, Warwick, Gloucester, Hereford, and Shrop- .shire (Map: England, D 4). Area. 751 square miles. Its surface is in general hilly and pic- turesque; it is watered by the Severn and Avon rivers. (Drchanls and pastures arc the most im- portant and extensive portions of the iniproveii lands, the grain crops being small. Manu- f:ictures, especially of machinery, are also im- portant, and the mineral products include large amounts of salt, clav, coal, and some iron. Popi- lation. in 1891. 413,'760; in 1901, 488,401. Coun- ty town. Worcester. WORDE, Wynktn de (?-c.l534). A famous English printer and typographer. He was born, probably, in Lorraine, and went to England in 1477, as an assistant to Caxton. He sujicrin-
