Thesaurus of English Words : so classified and arranged as to facilitate the expression of ideas and assist in literary composition
Boston: Gould and Lincoln, 1854.
First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. Good with no dust jacket. Item #16778
Peel and paper residue on pastedowns from probable glued-on paper cover, Dewey classification number in pencil on title page, edgewear, light tone, light foxing, otherwise light wear. Solid hardcover.; First Edition of Roget in the United States, based on the Second English Edition, "Revised and Edited with a list of foreign words, defined in English and other additions by Barnas Sears, D D, Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education." The Preface of the American Editor notes that "The greatest fault of the work is that of incorporating so many objectionable words and phrases, which ought never to meet the eye or tempt the tongue. ... Indeed, it is not easy to discover any advantage arising from so copious a collection of vulgar words and phrases, except to the few who, as professed authors, have frequent occasion to represent the language of low life, whom we do not undertake to aid. It was, therfore, thought advisable, in issuing an American edition, to omit all words of this character; and as the greater part of the phrases are either low or trite4, and as the residue are of doubtful utility, they have all been dropped." ; 468, 12 ad pages.
Price: $249.95