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[HALDEMAN, SAMUEL STEDMAN.] Rhymes of the poets. By Felix Ago.
Philadelphia, published by E.H. Butler & Co., 1868. First and only edition, slim 8vo, 56pp., orig. cloth-backed paper-covered boards a little rubbed, ex-MHS, else near fine. A scarce and curious little book by a Pennsylvanian perhaps better known for his contributions in the natural sciences, especially entomology where his work on the sounds of insects was widely acclaimed. "Haldeman's sense of hearing was so acute that he could differentiate the sounds emitted by insects. He studied exhaustively the American Indian dialects, becoming a recognized authority on the subject, and he also devoted much labor to the investigation of English, Chinese, and other languages. He developed an intense interest in the study of vocal sounds, and was deeply interested in spelling reform. He was the first professor of comparative philology at the University of Pennsylvania" (see DAB). Rhymes of the Poets works off the premise that "it is better to spoil a rhyme than a word"; and the author gives an alphabetical accounting of several dozen imperfect rhymes from various poets. Also included is a brief chapter on dialects -- ("Longfellow has laid himself out in Chippeway with a hero whose name, Hiawatha, a Chippeway cannot pronounce")-- and short statements on rhyme, alliteration, blank verse, etc.
Offered for US$ 150.00 by: Rulon-Miller Books ABAA/ILAB - Book number: 915