A Japanese-English and English-Japanese Dictionary

American Presbyterian Mission Press, Shangai, second edition, 1872. Later half-leather and pebble-grain boards, 8vo,. xxxi, 632, 201 pp, lithographic frontispiece. Uncommon: the enlarged second edition of the first serious attempt to produce a Japanese-English dictionary (the first edition having been published in 1867). From the preface : "Since the publication of the first edition of this Dictionary in 1867, the Author has made it his constant care to render it more complete. He has revised it carefully, correcting errors, improving and enlarging the definitions, and adding new words and illustrations. ..He has added about three thousand new words to the Japanese part of this edition, many of these are native words, but the larger part are of Chinese derivation. Owing to the recent revolution in the Government, the great changes in the political and social affairs of the country, and the introduction of western sciences, literature and institutions, the language is constantly receiving important additions of words in every department of knowledge. According as these terms have become settled and current, the author has introduced them. Many old terms have gone into disuse ; and others, which were current for a while and seemed likely to become permanent, have given place to still newer forms. This has especially been the case in respect of words relating to the Government, laws, naval and military matters.. The Author has carefully revised the second, or English and Japanese part of the work, making many corrections; besides adding about 4,000 words, and many examples and phrases. When there was no equivalent for the word in the Japanese, he has defined it, for the sake of the Japanese students who may consult the dictionary. In the Introduction, the author has endeavoured to give a brief abstract of the Japanese Grammar, with the especial object of making the dictionary more intelligible, as well as of rendering some assistance to those who may not have access to special works on this subject. Small red namestamp of former owner (Frederick Stewart) on title-page. An ex-library copy with a gilt number and shadows of a removed sticker on the spine, large label on the front pastedown endpaper, library stamps on the title-page (recto and verso) and on occasional margins. Some occasional minor edgewear to the first few leaves. A handful of ink annotations to text. Otherwise a Good copy in a stout library binding with strengthened joints and replaced endpapers, spine a little rubbed.