even these have only partially succeeded. English Dictionaries on the other hand have been all hitherto the result of private enterprize, and the success which has in this respect attended the labors of individuals may be thus justly referred to as an incentive to animate the exertions of a larger number of co-laborers to follow their example and improve on their works. Well then would it more especially become the Philological Society to undertake one of such a character as may be worthy of the nation as well as of the language, of the pre-eminence of our literature, as well as of our social position. The more full and complete a Dictionary may be made, the more justly may it be said to answer those requirements, and if a Lexicon totius Anglicitatis could be reasonably hoped for, it would be a work of stupendous industry and the highest literary importance. But if it can be hoped for as practicable, the labors of many must be wisely directed and steadily maintained on a well understood basis of co-operation, so that different tasks should be assigned to those engaged on it according to their several qualifications. Individuals can scarcely be expected to possess or supply all the knowledge and means requisite to make such a work so complete as to be a recognized authority, free from many substantial objections; and therefore to prepare one deserving of general acceptance and approval as a national standard in matters of language, is an undertaking specially becoming a learned and numerous Society combining the energy of private enterprize with the character of a public authority.
But such a Dictionary should be not merely a Vocabulary, as most have been hitherto. It should be also a full history as far as ascertainable of each word, whereby to unravel its ramifications and explain its meanings. This cannot be done without the help of Etymology. Without Etymology you can only dwell on the surface of words, and though our Lexicographers have acknowledged this necessity by entering into such enquiries, they have left it to us to observe defects to be corrected, and deficiencies to be supplied, if we would improve upon their labors. These defects and deficiencies run so closely into one another, that they can scarcely perhaps be separately distinguished, and may be generally included under the category of a want of sufficient discrimination and judgment, as well as of extended and accurate information. But though so intimately blended together as to be somewhat difficult to be dilated upon severally, I think it will not be difficult for me to convey my meaning by a few examples.
