r a copy of Sir H. Savile's edition of _Chrysostom_, 8 vols.
folio; _Constantini Lexicon_, folio; and some pieces of Bishop Andrewes.
These were probably intended for the use of the rector, as in the case
reported by your correspondent CHEVERELLS (Vol. vii., p. 369.).

I may also mention having seen a small parochial library of old divinity
kept in the room over the porch in the church of Sutton Courtenay, near
Abingdon, Berks. With the history and purpose of this collection I am
unacquainted.

NORRIS DECK.

Great Malvern.

_Sidney as a Christian Name_ (Vol. vii., pp. 39. 318.).--Lady Morgan the
authoress was, before her marriage, Miss _Sidney_ Owenson. See Chambers'
_Encyclop. of Eng. Lit._, ii. 580.

P. J. F. GANTILLON, B.A.

_"Rather"_ (Vol. vii., p. 282.).--The root of the word _rather_ is
Celtic, in which language _raith_ means "inclination," "on account of,"
"for the sake of," &c. Thus, in the line quoted from Chaucer,

"What aileth you so _rathe_ for to arise,"

it clearly signifies "what aileth you that you _so incline_ to arise,"
and so on, in the various uses to which the comparative of the word is
put: as, I had rather do so and so, _i. e._ "I feel _more inclined_;" I
am rather tired, _i. e._ "I am fatigued _on account of_ the walk," &c. I
am glad that you are come, the rather that I have work for you to do,
_i. e._ "_more on account of_ the work which I have for you to do, or
_for the sake_ of the work," &c. Any obscurity that is attached to the
use of the word, has arisen from the abuse of it, or rather from its
right signification being not properly understood.

FRAS. CROSSLEY.

{393}
_Lady High Sheriff_ (Vol. vii., pp. 236. 340.).--Another instance may be
seen in Foss's _Judges of England_, vol. ii. p. 51.--In speaking of
Reginald de Cornhill, who held the Sheriffalty of Kent from 5 Richard I.
to 5 Henry III., he says:

"His seat at Minster, in the Isle of Thanet, acquired the name
of 'Sheriff's Court,' which it still retains; and he himself,
discontinuing his own name, was styled Reginald le Viscount,
even his widow being designated Vicecomitessa Cantii."

D. S.

_Nugget_ (Vol. vi., p. 171.; Vol. vii., pp. 143. 272.).--Nugget _may_ be
derived from the Persian, but it is also used in Scotland, and means a
lump,--a nugget of sugar, for instance. And as Scotchmen are to be found
everywhere, its importation into Australia and California is easily
accounted for.