This word has sustained various modifications of meaning, but they are in general easily deducible from the original signification: _e.g._ the phrase "I had _rather_" is easily explained, as far as the word _rather_ is concerned; for that which we do more quickly, we do preferably. But in such expressions as "I am _rather_ tired," equivalent to "I am a little tired," the explanation is not so obvious. In this case _rather_ seems to mean "In greater degree than otherwise." Now, in such sentences as "I am glad you are come, _the rather_ that I have work for you to do," _rather_ seems to require the signification "in a greater degree;" and may we not therefore explain the case in question as an elliptical expression for "rather than not?" If { 283} so, is it not a solitary instance of such a construction in our language? Perhaps some of your correspondents can inform me, at what period this use of the word was introduced; for it is doubtless a modern innovation.
"Affixus ligno, _Salvator_, crimina mundi Abstersit, patiens jussa cruenta necis; Aspicite ut languore decus, turpescere membra, Intimus ut sese prodat in ore dolor; Auditus saxis, intellectusque ferarum Sensibus, inventos Spiritus æger abit. Splendida per tenebras, subito simulacra coruscant, Ardentesque micant per freta longa faces; Pro servis dominus moritur, pro sontibus insons, Pro ægroto medicus, pro grege pastor obit, Pro populo nex mactatur, pro milite ductor, Proque opere ipse opifex, proque homine ipse Deus: Quid servus, sons, ægrotus, quid grex, populusque, Quid miles, quid opus, quidve homo solvat? _Amet_."
The present holy season has brought to my recollection the above beautiful lines, which were shown up some fifty years ago, for long copy, by a schoolfellow at Blundell's school, Tiverton, and copied into my scrap-book. I think they are from the _Poemata_ of Joannes Audoenus, but am not sure of it; of this, however, I am sure, they cannot be better made known to the world than by your excellent publication.
Sarah, widow of Sir Vincent Corbet, Bart., was created (23rd October, 1679) Viscountess Corbet, of Linchlade, co. Bucks, for her natural life; and in the patent the preamble runs,--that his Majesty Charles II.,