[6] In "Anecdotes of the English Language," by Samuel Pegge, an antiquary, who called himself "an old modern," the reader will find several curious exemplifications of the vulgar dialect, sometimes fancifully, but often satisfactorily ascertained. It is amusing to detect what we call _vulgarisms_ composing the language of Chaucer and Shakspeare, and even our Bibles and Liturgies.
[7] RAY was the first who collected "Local Words, _North Country_ and _South_ and _East Country_." "The Exmoor Scolding and Courtship" is an authentic specimen of the _Exmoor Language_. The words were collected by a blind fiddler, and the dialogues were written by a clergyman with the fiddler's assistance, before 1725. We have a glossary of Lancashire words and phrases, contained in the humorous works of Tim Bobbin. Other county glossarists have appeared within the last fifteen years:--BROCKETT'S "North Country Words;" "Suffolk Words and Phrases," by Major MOOR; Mr. ROGER WILBRAHAM'S "Attempt at a Glossary of Cheshire Words;" Mr. JENNINGS' "Dialect of the West of England," particularly the Somersetshire words; Mr. BRITTON on those of Wiltshire; and the Rev. JOSEPH HUNTER has given "The Hallamshire Glossary," to which are appended "Words used in Halifax," by the Rev. JOHN WATSON, and also an addition to the "Yorkshire Words," by THORESBY, the Leeds antiquary.
An investigation of the origin, nature, and history of DIALECTS was proposed by the late Dr. BOUCHER for a complete glossary of all the dialects of the kingdom. But these precious stores, not only of the vocables but of the domestic history of England--its manners, occupations, amusements, diet, dress, buildings, and other miscellaneous topics--rich in all the affluence of the laborious readings of more years than the siege of Troy, was but bread cast away on the waters, and was never given to the public for want of public support. After the author's death, two eminent editors zealously resumed the work, which was already prepared; but the public remained so little instructed of its value, it suddenly ceased! Works of national utility should be consecrated as national property, and means should be always ready to avert such a calamity to the literature of England, and to the information of Englishmen, as was the suppression of the labours of BOUCHER.