And books for Mead, and rarities for Sloane,"
the letter-writer thus unceremoniously addresses himself to the author:
"Rarities! how could'st thou be so silly as not to be particular in the rarities of Sloane, as in those of the other five persons? What knowledge, what meaning is conveyed in the word rarities? Are not some drawings, some statues, some coins, all monkish manuscripts, and some books, rarities? Could'st thou not find a trisyllable to express some parts of nature for a collection of which that learned and worthy physician is eminent? Fy, fy! correct and write—
'Rare monkish manuscripts for Hearne alone,
And books for Mead, and butterflies for Sloane.'
"Sir Hans Sloane is known to have the finest collection of butterflies in England, and perhaps in the world; and if rare monkish manuscripts are for Hearne only, how can rarities be for Sloane, unless thou specifyest what sort of rarities? O thou numskull!"—No. 2., pp. 15—16.
The correction was evidently an improvement, and therefore Pope wisely accepted the benefit, and was the channel through which it was conveyed; and the passage accordingly now stands as altered by the letter-writer.
James Crossley.
NOTES ON SEVERAL MISUNDERSTOOD WORDS.
(Continued from p. 522.)
Dare, to lurk, or cause to lurk; used both transitively and intransitively. Apparently the root of dark and dearn.
"Here, quod he, it ought ynough suffice,