ld be nonsense; because, so far as the prince appearing to be Bohemia's
son (which was what he was most anxious about), the scene to be played was
_really true_!

The last correction I have now to notice is in the soliloquy of Autolycus
in p. 522.: where MR. COLLIER proposes to read, "who knows how that may
turn _luck_ to my advantage," instead of "may turn _back_ to my advantage."
I see no advantage in the change, but the very reverse. "Who knows but my
availing myself of the means to do the prince my master a service, may come
back to me in the shape of some advancement?" This seems to me to be the
author's meaning, and it is legitimately expressed. How frequently it has
been said that an evil deed recoils upon the head of the perpetrator! Then
why not a good deed _turn back_ to reward the doer?

CECIL HARBOTTLE.

P. S.--It is rather singular that A. E. B., who, as I have already shown,
has so completely _shelved_ me in his remarks upon "Aristotle's checks,"
should now complain of the very same thing himself, and say that his
"humble auxilia have been coolly appropriated, without the slightest
acknowledgment." However, as our opinions coincide upon the passage in
question, I am not disposed to pick a quarrel with him. I cannot, however,
at all concur in his alteration of the passage in _King Lear_: "Our means
secure us," to "Our means _recuse_ us." I will certainly leave him "in the
quiet possession of whatever merit is due to this _restoration_," or rather
this invention! Can A. E. B. show any other instance in which Shakspeare
has used the verb _recuse_; or will he point out any other author who has
adopted it in the sense referred to? Johnson calls it a "juridical word:"
and I certainly have no recollection of having met with it, except in
judicial proceedings.

I can neither subscribe to the emendation of A. E. B., nor to that of the
old commentator, but infinitely prefer the original words, which appear to
me perfectly intelligible. The sense, as it strikes me, is, that however we
may desire things which we have not, the _means_ we already possess are
sufficient for our security; and even our _defects_ prove serviceable.
Blindness, for instance, will make a man more careful of himself; and then
the other faculties he enjoys will secure him from harm.

_"King Lear," Act IV. Sc. 1._--

"Our means secure us, and our mere defects
Prove our commodities."

I should not object to your correspondent A. E. B.'s