the experience of reading in Britain, from 1450 to 1945...

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Bailey (ed.) : Etymological Dictionary

'My Father possessed a copy of Bailey's "Etymological Dictionary", a book published early in the eighteenth century. Over this I would pore for hours, playing with the words in a fashion which I can no longer reconstruct, and delighting in the savour of the rich, old-fashioned country phrases. My Father finding me thus employed, fell to wondering at the nature of my persuit, and I could offer him, indeed, no very intelligible explanation of it. He urged me to give up such idleness, and to make practical use of language.'

Century: 1850-1899     Reader/Listener/Group: Edmund Gosse      Print: Book

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