Author: Stephen G. Boyd

Publisher:

Published: 2015-08-06

Total Pages: 86

ISBN-13: 9781332335633

Excerpt from Indian Local Names: With Their Interpretation Whilst engaged in teaching many years ago, I became impressed with the idea that the significantion of the local names might be used by teachers not only in imparting in many case a better idea of the object named, but also in enlivening the too frequently dull monotony of class recitation. With this impression, I commenced the collection of the signification of local names, found in all parts of the world, of all classes and in all languages. Of course the work progressed slowly, especially as I rejected all definitions known to be merely conjectural in their character, and received even traditional ones with extreme caution. As the work progressed, however, my interest in the subject increased, and in order to avail myself of the very best authority on the subject in the English language, I even ordered for my library from England during the Civil War, when the rate of exchange was well nigh at its highest point. Some years subsequent to this, whilst spending some months in Harrisburg, Pa., in a position which gave me free use of the State library, I procured from its shelves the nucleus of my present collection of Indian names. It was no part of my purpose at the outstart to collect material for publication, but such has been the pleasure derived from the study of the subject, and such the evident advantage of a knowledge of the signification of local names, not only to the teacher, but to all persons making any pretensions to culture, indeed even to casual readers of the current literature of the day that I have concluded to publish the result of my labors, especially as, so far as known to me, the matter I have on hand is not now within reach of the public in any practical form, but scattered through many volumes, and much of it indeed, especially that relating to Indian names, not in print at all. Upon concluding to publish my collection, my first thought was to print it all in one volume, merely placing the Indian names in a separate vocabulary, for greater convenience of reference. As the subject of local names in general, however, is a very broad and instructive one, from the study of which can be learned not only very much concerning the object named, but also much of the history and peculiarities of different peoples, and as I have not now the time, nor all the data desirable, to enable me to bring to press my contemplated work on local names in general, and as the present seems as well suited for the introduction of the Indian names to the public, as any future period is likely to be, I have concluded to publish my Indian collection separately, and without further delay, hoping to be able to put the other work through the press during the coming year. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.