words.

C.H.

* * * * *

SHAKSPEARE'S USE OF THE WORD "DELIGHTED."

"_Delighted_" (Vol. ii., p. 113.).--I incline to think that the word
_delighted_ in Shakspeare represents the Latin participle _delectus_
(from _deligere_), "select, choice, exquisite, refined." This sense will
suit all the passages cited by MR. HICKSON, and particularly the last.
If this be so, the suggested derivations from the adjective _light_, and
from the substantive _light_, fall to the ground: but MR. HICKSON will
have been right in distinguishing Shakspeare's _delighted_ from the
participle of the usual verb _to delight, delectare_=gratify. The roots
of the two are distinct: that of the former being _leg-ere_ "to choose;"
of the latter, _lac-ere_ "to tice."

B.H. KENNEDY.


_Meaning of the Word "Delighted."_--I am not the only one of your
readers who have read with deep interest the important contributions of
MR. HICKSON, and who hope for further remarks on Shakspearian
difficulties from the same pen. His papers on the _Taming of the Shrew_
were of special value; and although I do not quite agree with all he has
said on the subject, there can be no doubt of the great utility of
permitting the discussion of questions of the kind in such able hands.