It has been truthfully observed that Dr. Johnson's "Illustrations of the meanings and uses of words" is the most valuable part of the work, and shows an extraordinary knowledge of literature. Some of the definitions were characteristic of the man. Take for example the following, to be found in the first edition:--"Excise. A hateful tax levied upon commodities, adjudged, not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom the excise is paid.--Network. Anything reticulated or decussated at equal distances, with interstices between the intersections.--Oats. A grain which in England is generally given to horses, but which in Scotland supports the people." Sir Walter Scott related the happy retort by Lord Elibank, who said, when he heard the definition--"Yes; and where else will you see _such_ horses, and _such_ men."--Patron. Commonly, a wretch, who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery.--Pension. In England, it is generally understood to mean pay given to a state hireling for treason to his country. Mr. Andrew Miller, bookseller, of the Strand, took the chief management of the publication, and appears to have been much disappointed at the slow progress the compiler made. He frequently pressed Johnson for more "copy," and towards the latter part of the work became most anxious, for Johnson had drawn all his money in drafts long before he had completed the "Dictionary." According to Boswell, "When the messenger who carried the last sheet to Miller returned, Johnson asked him, 'Well, what did he say?' 'Sir,' answered the messenger, 'he said, "Thank God I have done with him."' 'I am glad,' replied Johnson, 'that he thanks God for anything.'" The Dictionary was published in 1755 in two volumes at £4 4s. 0d., and soon went through several editions. The expenses of producing the work left Johnson a small margin of profit. It firmly established his fame. Having referred at some length to Johnson's "Dictionary," let us pay some little attention to another important work of reference, the "Encyclopædia Britannica." The first edition was issued in weekly numbers commenced in 1771, and was completed in 1773. It consisted of three small quarto volumes. The first editor was William Smellie, a studious man who made his start in life as a compositor, and left the printing office for an hour or two daily to attend the classes of the Edinburgh University. At nineteen he was employed as proof-reader, conductor and compiler of the _Scots' Magazine_ at a salary of sixteen shillings a week. He devised and wrote the chief articles in the "Encyclopædia Britannica." The agreement of the work is a curiosity of literature, and reads as follows: "Mr. Andrew Bell to Mr. William Smellie.