_Dictionaries and Encyclopædias._--Allow me to offer a suggestion to the
publishers and compilers of dictionaries; first as to dictionaries of the
language. A large class refer to these only to learn the meaning of words
not familiar to them, but which may occur in reading. If the dictionaries
are framed on the principle of displaying only the classical language of
England, it is ten to one they will not supply the desired information. Let
there be, besides classical dictionaries, glossaries which will exclude no
word whatever on account of rarity, vulgarity, or technicality, but which
may very well exclude those which are most familiar. As to encyclopædias,
their value is chiefly as supplements to the library; but surely no one
studies anatomy, or the differential calculus, or architecture, in them,
however good the treatises may be. I want a dictionary of miscellaneous
subjects, such as find place more easily in an encyclopædia than anywhere
else; but why must I also purchase treatises on the higher mathematics, on
navigation, on practical engineering, and the like, some of which I already
may possess, others not want, and none of which are a bit the more
convenient because arranged in alphabetical order in great volumes.
Besides, they cannot be conveniently replaced by improved editions.