rticularly happy, and therefore
the new version was at first to me very distasteful. But, whatever opinion
may be held as to the value of the book, it is surely unbecoming to the
discussion of a literary question to indulge in the unsparing insinuations
that have been thrown out on all sides respecting it. I leave out of
question the circumstance, that the long and great services of MR. COLLIER
ought to protect him at least from such unworthy treatment.

SAMUEL HICKSON.

P.S.--Since writing the above, I have seen MR. KEIGHTLEY's letter. I hope
he will not deprive the readers of "N. & Q." of the benefit of his valuable
communications for the offences of one or two. He might consider, first,
that his own dignity would suffer least by letting them pass by him "as the
idle wind;" and, secondly, that some allowance should be made for gentlemen
who engage in controversy on a subject which, strangely enough, next to
religion, seems to be most productive of discord.

S. H.

"I have no way, and therefore want no eyes;
I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seen
Our means _secure_ us; and our mere defects
Prove our commodities."

Does not Shakspeare here use _secure_ as a verb, in the sense "to make
careless?" If so, the passage would mean, "Our means," that is, our power,
our strength, make us wanting in care and vigilance, and too
self-confident. Gloucester says, "I stumbled when I saw;" meaning, When I
had eyes I walked carelessly; when I had the "means" of seeing and avoiding
stumbling-blocks, I stumbled and fell, because I walked without care and
watchfulness. Then he adds, "And our mere defects prove our commodities."
Our deficiencies, our weaknesses (the sense of them), make us use such care
and exertions as to prove advantages to us. Thus the antithesis is
preserved.

How scriptural is the first part of the passage!

"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."--1 Cor. x.
12.

"He hath said in his heart, Tush, I shall never be cast down; there
shall no harm happen unto me."--Ps. x. 6.

The second part is also scriptural:

"My strength is made perfect in weakness."--2 Cor. xii. 9.

"When I am weak then am I strong."--2 Cor. xii. 10.

In _Timon of Athens_ we find _secure_ used as verb "_Secure_ thy
heart."--Act II. Sc. 2.

Again, in _Othello_:

"I do not so _secure_ me in the error."--Act I. Sc. 3.

In Du Cange's _Gloss._ is the verb "_Securare_ nude pro se