much, for publicity alone will do what is wanted, especially when given in
a journal which falls under the eyes of those engaged in research. I hope
those of your contributors who think as I do, will furnish you from time to
time with exposures; if, as a point of form, a Query be requisite, they can
always end with, Is this right?

A. DE MORGAN.

October 14. 1850.

* * * * * {329}

SHAKSPEARE'S USE OF THE WORD "DELIGHTED."

(Vol. ii., pp. 113. 139. 200. 234.)

I should have been content to leave the question of the meaning of the word
_delighted_ as it stands in your columns, my motive, so kindly appreciated
by Mr. SINGER, in raising the discussion being, by such means to arrive at
the true meaning of the word, but that the remarks of L.B.L. (p. 234.)
recall to my mind a canon of criticism which I had intended to communicate
at an earlier period as useful for the guidance of commentators in
questions of this nature. It is as follows:--Master the grammatical
construction of the passage in question (if from a drama, in its dramatic
and I scenic application), deducing therefrom the general sense, before you
attempt to amend or fix the meaning of a doubtful word.

Of all writers, none exceed Shakspeare in logical correctness and nicety of
expression. With a vigour of thought and command of language attained by no
man besides, it is fair to conclude, that he would not be guilty of faults