memory, but the origin of these, if not noted, will in time be
lost. There are many other words which the strictest cannot
condemn as slang, though even slang, being the speech of the
people, is not undeserving of some scientific study; words, for
instance, which have come into the language from the
Aborigines, and names of animals, shrubs, and flowers. It
might even be possible, with sufficient co-operation, to
produce an Australian dictionary on the same lines as the
<i>New English Dictionary</i> by way of supplement to it.
Organisation might make the labour light, whilst for many it
would from its very nature prove a pleasant task.

These suggestions were not carried out. Individuals sent
quotations to Oxford, but no organisation was established to
make the collection systematic or complete, and at the next
meeting of the Association the Section had ceased to exist,
or at least had doffed its literary character.

At a somewhat later date, Messrs. Funk and Wagnall of New York
invited me to join an "Advisory Committee on disputed spelling
and pronunciation." That firm was then preparing its
<i>Standard Dictionary</i>, and one part of the scheme was to
obtain opinions as to usage from various parts of the
English-speaking world, especially from those whose function it
is to teach the English Language. Subsequently, at my own
suggestion, the firm appointed me to take charge of the
Australian terms in their Dictionary, and I forwarded a certain
number of words and phrases in use in Australia. But the
accident of the letter A, for Australian, coming early in the
alphabet gives my name a higher place than it deserves on the
published list of those co-operating in the production of this
<i>Standard Dictionary</i>; for with my present knowledge I see
that my contribution was lamentably incomplete. Moreover, I
joined the Editorial Corps too late to be of real use. Only
the final proofs were sent to me, and although my corrections
were reported to New York without delay, they arrived too late
for any alterations to be effected before the sheets went to
press. This took the heart out of my work for that Dictionary.
For its modernness, for many of its lexicographical features,
and for its splendid illustrations, I entertain a cordial
admiration for the book, and I greatly regret the unworthiness
of my share in it. It is quite evident that others had
contributed Australasian words, and I must confess I hardly
lik