...language were overtly nationalistic and literary; "l have devoted this book," he writes, "to the honor of my country, that we may no longer yield the palm of philology without a contest to the nations of the continent The chief glory of every people arises from its authors."...

...Chaucer "correctly." Later, in the Preface to the Dictionary (1755) this is clearly Johnson's line: In hope of giving longevity to that which its own...to be immortal, I have devoted this book. . . . The chief glory of every people arises from its authors. ... I shall not think my employment useless or...

...degeneration; we have long preserved our constitution, let us make some struggles for our language. In the hope of giving longevity to that which its own nature...the labour of years, to the honour of my country. Let us look at that 'labour of years', which Johnson mentions. They extended from June 1746, when he...

...undoubtedly left all other nations far behind them." His goals are clear: "I have devoted this book ... to the honour of my country, that we may no longer yield the palm of philology without a contest to the nations of the continent." He makes a similar claim for English pride in praising...