Amenities of Literature: Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English LiteratureDisraeli, Isaac
History
Amenities of Literature: Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature
Disraeli, Isaac
Authors, English -- Biography; English literature -- History and criticism; Great Britain -- Intellectual life
[7] RAY was the first who collected "Local Words, _North Country_ and
_South_ and _East Country_." "The Exmoor Scolding and Courtship" is
an authentic specimen of the _Exmoor Language_. The words were
collected by a blind fiddler, and the dialogues were written by a
clergyman with the fiddler's assistance, before 1725. We have a
glossary of Lancashire words and phrases, contained in the humorous
works of Tim Bobbin. Other county glossarists have appeared within
the last fifteen years:--BROCKETT'S "North Country Words;" "Suffolk
Words and Phrases," by Major MOOR; Mr. ROGER WILBRAHAM'S "Attempt at
a Glossary of Cheshire Words;" Mr. JENNINGS' "Dialect of the West of
England," particularly the Somersetshire words; Mr. BRITTON on those
of Wiltshire; and the Rev. JOSEPH HUNTER has given "The Hallamshire
Glossary," to which are appended "Words used in Halifax," by the Rev.
JOHN WATSON, and also an addition to the "Yorkshire Words," by
THORESBY, the Leeds antiquary.
An investigation of the origin, nature, and history of DIALECTS was
proposed by the late Dr. BOUCHER for a complete glossary of all the
dialects of the kingdom. But these precious stores, not only of the
vocables but of the domestic history of England--its manners,
occupations, amusements, diet, dress, buildings, and other
miscellaneous topics--rich in all the affluence of the laborious
readings of more years than the siege of Troy, was but bread cast
away on the waters, and was never given to the public for want of
public support. After the author's death, two eminent editors
zealously resumed the work, which was already prepared; but the
public remained so little instructed of its value, it suddenly
ceased! Works of national utility should be consecrated as national
property, and means should be always ready to avert such a calamity
to the literature of England, and to the information of Englishmen,
as was the suppression of the labours of BOUCHER.
MANDEVILLE; OUR FIRST TRAVELLER.
Mandeville was the Bruce of the fourteenth century, as often calumniated
and even ridiculed. The most ingenuous of voyagers has been condemned as
an idle fabulist; the most cautious, as credulous to fatuity; and the
volume of a genuine writer, which has been translated into every
European language, has been formally ejected from the collection of
authentic travels. His truest vindication will be found by comprehending
him; and to be acquainted with his character, we must seek for him in
his own age.
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