· In some cases it is indeed difficult to decide whether or not a word should be entered into the dictionary. Much more difficult, however, are the questions which arise concerning the arrangement of the words. Namely, for the arrangement certain principles that clash with one another are essential, in addition to the principle of alphabetic order. Which principle should be the determining one in each given case depends on the subjective view of the author.

It is often difficult to justify one principle in relation to another. Some would perhaps recommend that the principle of alphabetic order should be the only governing principle. But if the purely alphabetic order inserts a heterogenous word between closely related ones, then in my opinion the alphabetic order demands too much from a child's power of abstraction.

Thus, because of the comprehension of words and the highly important saving of space, the purely alphabetic order often cannot be recommended. Equally, each instance of clinging to a dogmatic principle leads to an arrangement that does not suit our purpose and has to be abandoned - even if this would make the author's work much easier.

· Again and again psychological principles (where will the student look for the word, how does one guard him against confusions in the best possible manner) clash with grammatical ones (base word, derivative) and with the typographical utilisation of space, with the well-organised appearance of the printed page, etc. Thus it happens that the superficial critic will meet with seemingly arbitrary inconsequences everywhere, but those inconsequences are caused by compromises between essential viewpoints.