This notice may supply the information of which Mr. Denton is in quest, and at all events I should be very glad to learn who the author really was. His sermons are, as is said of those of Stephens, far above the ordinary run. The period at which they were delivered agrees with the dates of those at page 118. The author, in the general preface, says, that Sermon II. was not "suffer'd to see the light before it had pass'd through the hands of Dr. Waterland." Was not Stephens subsequently Vicar of St. Andrew's, Plymouth?
Balliolensis.
MINOR QUERIES.
Smelling of the Lamp.—Can you or one of your learned correspondents, tell me the origin or first user of the literary "smelling of the lamp?" I know that it is commonly attributed to Demosthenes? but if it is his, I want chapter and verse for it.
Gourders of Rain.—Will any of your correspondents be kind enough to suggest the etymology of the word "gourders" (= torrents)? It occurs in the following passage of Harding against Jewel (p. 189., Antv. 1565):
"Let the gourders of raine come downe from you and all other heretikes, let the floudes of worldly rages thrust, let the windes of Sathan's temptations blowe their worst, this house shall not be overthrowen."
C.H.
St. Catherine's Hall, Cambridge.