—I have just found a passage in Burton's Anatomy of Melancholy which proves that R. C. H. was correct in the remarks he made on these words, viz. that they ought to have been printed sleek-stone, and that they were the name of an instrument used for smoothing or polishing, and not for sharpening:
"The ebon stone which goldsmiths use to sleeken their gold with, born about or given to drink, hath the same properties, or not much unlike."
Anat. of Mel., Part ii. sec. iv. mem. 1. subs. 4.
[Blake, one vol. 8vo. MDCCCXXXVI. P. 437.]
Lady Macbeth says:
"Come on;
Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;
Be bright and jovial 'mong your guests to-night."
Macbeth, Act III. Sc. 2.
C. FORBES.
Temple.