Chaucer, it will be observed, uses the Anglo-Saxon form of the word. _Leden_ was employed by the Anglo-Saxons in the sense of language generally, as well as to express the Latin tongue. In the German version of Sir Tristram, Latin is also used for the song of birds, and is so explained by Ziemann: "_Latin_, Latein; fuer jede fremde eigenthuemliche Sprache, selbst fuer den _Vogelgesang_. Tristan und Isolt, 17365."--Ziemann, _Mittelhochdeutsches Woerterbuch_. Spenser, who was a great imitator of Chaucer, probably derives the word _leden_ or _ledden_ from him: "Thereto he was expert in prophecies, And could the _ledden_ of the gods unfold." _The Faerie Queene_, book iv. ch. xi. st. 19. "And those that do to Cynthia expound The _ledden_ of straunge languages in charge." _Colin Clout_, 744. In the last passage, perhaps, _meaning, knowledge_, best expresses the sense. _Ledden_ may have been one of the words which led Ben Jonson to charge Spenser with "affecting the ancients." However, I find it employed by one of his cotemporaries, Fairfax: "With party-colour'd plumes and purple bill, A wond'rous bird among the rest there flew, That in plain speech sung love-lays loud and shrill, Her _leden_ was like human language true." Fairfax's _Tasso_, book xvi. st. 13. The expression _lede, in lede_, which so often occurs in Sir Tristram, may also have arisen from the Anglo-Saxon form of the word _Latin_. Sir W. Scott, in his Glossary, explains it: "_Lede, in lede. In language_, an expletive, synonymous to _I tell you_." The following are a few of the passages in which it is found: "Monestow neuer in _lede_ Nought lain."--Fytte i. st. 60. "In _lede_ is nought to layn, He set him by his side."--Fytte i. st. 65. "Bothe busked that night, To Beliagog in _lede_."--Fytte iii. st. 59. It is not necessary to descant on thieves' Latin, dog-Latin, _Latin de Cuisine_, &c.; but I should be glad to learn when dog-Latin first appeared in our language. E. M. B. Lincoln. * * * * * JACK. (Vol. vii., p. 326.) The list of _Jacks_ supplied by your correspondent JOHN JACKSON is amusing and curious. A few additions towards a complete collection may not be altogether unacceptable or unworthy of notice. Supple (usually pronounced souple) _Jack_, a flexible cane; _Jack_ by the hedge, a plant (_Erysimum cordifolium_); the _jacks_ of a harpsichord; _jack_, an engine to raise ponderous bodies (Bailey); _Jack_, the male of birds of sport (Ditto); _Jack_ of Dover, a joint twice dressed (Ditto, from Chaucer); _jack_ pan, used by barbers (Ditto); _jack_, a frame used by sawyers. I have also noted _Jack_-Latin, _Jack_-a-nod, but cannot give their authority or meaning. {623} The term was very familiar to our older writers. The following to Dodsley's _Collection of old Plays_ (1st edition, 1744) may assist in explaining its use: