Here we have the adverbial form; but in Chaucer's _Troilus and Creseide_, iii. 1342., we find the adjectival form: "But now to purpose of my _rather_ speech," where, according to the principle laid down by Dr. Latham, in his _English Language_, p. 262., 2nd edit., we should, I suppose, pronounce it _rayther_. 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. ERICA. Warwick. _In Jesum Cruci affixum._-- "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. WILLIAM COLLYNS. Harlow. * * * * * Queries. CORBET PEERAGE. 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., "Having taken into his royal consideration the great worth and merits of the trusty and well-beloved Sarah Lady Corbet, together with the faithful services of the late Sir Vincent Corbet, grants," &c.