A collection of English words not generally used, with their significations and original, in two alphabetical catalogues, the one of such as are proper to the northern, the other to the southern counties. With an account of the preparing and refining such metals and minerals as are gotten in England...Augmented with many hundred of words, observations, letters, &c
London: printed for Christopher Wilkinson, 1691. Second edition of the first book in English on English dialects, 12mo, pp. [22], 211, [5] ads; full paneled calf; joints starting, corners bumped, else very good and sound. Contemporary signature of Charles F. Robinson on endpaper, with the occasional annotation in his hand, typically additional information (such as the regional source of a term) and one or two corrections or comments. While on his botanical journeys throughout England (for which he is now famous), Ray (1627-1705) had the opportunity to study local antiquities and customs, as well as dialects. This work, first published in 1674, is an outgrowth of his travels, as was his Collection of English Proverbs, which was first published in 1670. On one of his treks into Cornwall, he made notes on the smelting industry, and recorded his observations, which are included in this volume, on the smelting and refining of silver, tin, and iron. Not included in the first edition, and integrated here, is a "large catalogue of northern words [with] their significations and etymologies," which had been sent to Ray by his friend M. Francis Brokesby, sometimes fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. At the back of the volume is a short account of the defects of the English alphabet, a brief section on husbandry, and Edward Lhuyd's "A collection of local words parallel'd with British or Welsh." Wing R-381; Keynes 24; Kennedy 10624; Alston IX, 2. Item #58842
Price: $900.00
