DYCHE'S DICTIONARY

IT WAS ON THE ‘SIXPENNY’ SHELF outside the bookseller's window, its handsome leather binding a reproach to the inferior boards of this tasteless age. The flyleaf proclaimed it to be the sixteenth edition of A New General English Dictionary, Peculiarly Calculated for the use and improvement of such as are unacquainted with the Learned Languages, published in 1777. Not only that, but A Compendious English Grammar with general rules for the ready formation of one Part of Speech from another; by the due Application thereof such as understand English only may be able to write as correctly and elegantly as those who have been some years conversant in the Latin, Greek and other Languages. Also A Supplement of the Proper Names of the most noted Kingdoms, Provinces, Cities, Towns, Rivers, &c., throughout the Known World. And finally, to give good measure for the published price of six shillings, a list Of the most celebrated Emperors, Kings, Queens, Priests, Poets, Philosophers, Generals, etc., whether Jewish, Pagan, Mahometan or Christian.