DR. FURNIVALL.
I To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."1 SIR,—May I be allowed to explain the "strange conflict of evidence" between myself and Dr. Sir James Murray to which allusion is made in the Spectator of September 16th, at p.420? There is no real contradiction, because we are speaking of different dates. Sir James Murray shows that before 1860 Furnivall was under the impression that the collections made for the " New English Dictionary " were adequate. But after that date he was easily convinced, as I have explained, that the reverse was the case. He then discovered and applied the right remedy by founding the Early English Text and Chaucer Societies. In biography, history, and etymology due regard must be paid to chronology.—I am, Sir, &c.,
WALTER W. SEAT.
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