OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE: CHIEFLY REGARDING THE LOCAL DIALECT OF London and its Environs; Whence it will appear that the Natives of the Metropolis, IN A LETTER FROM SAMUEL PEGGE, Esa. F.S. A. TO AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE, AND CO-FELLOW OF THE TOR THE SECOND EDITION, ENLARGED AND CORRECTED. NEW-YORK TO WHICH IS ADDED, SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROVINCIAL GLOSSARY OF FRANCIS GROSE, Esc "Our sparkefull Youth laugh at their Great-Grand-Fathers' English; CAMDEN'S Remains, p..22. LONDON; PRINTED BY AND FOR J. NICHOLS, SÓN, and Bentley, ADVERTISEMENT IN 1803. THE little Essay here presented to the Publick was found among the Papers of its deceased Author; who seems to have made it the amusement of a leisure hour ; and probably laid aside or resumed his pen as his health and spirits ebbed and flowed. Such as it is, the Editor presumes it will be taken in good part, and create good-humour in its Readers; who cannot but be aware of the difficulty of reducing Language or Taste to a common standard. POSTSCRIPT IN 1814. THE former Edition of this Volume was submitted to the Publick under an express injunction in the last Will of its worthy and learned Author; and its reception was such as would have fully gratified him could (iv) he have witnessed it. At its first appearance, the Editor did not feel himself at liberty to make any material alterations in Mr. PEGGE's original arrangement; but, amidst a large mass of Papers connected with this and other subjects entrusted to his revisal, were many nearly finished articles congenial to the present enquiry, which have furnished the Additions and Corrections in the present Edition; which is improved by a very copious INDEX. The PROVINCIAL GLOSSARY also is a appendage which, it is hoped, will prove acceptable to the Philologist; and is printed separately, for the accommodation of former Purchasers, either of Mr. Pegge's “Anec"dotes of the English Language," or of Mr. Grose's "Provincial " Glossary." J. N. |