[3] This verb “do” is wrong, because “to be contemned” is passive.

[4] “A very good judge has left us his opinion and determination in this matter; that he ’would take for his rule in speaking, not what might happen to be the faulty caprice of the multitude, but the consent and agreement of learned men.’”—­Creighton’s Dict., p. 21.  The “good judge” here spoken of, is Quintilian; whose words on the point are these:  “Necessarium est judicium, constituendumque imprimis, id ipsum quid sit, quod consuetudinem vocemus. * * * In loquendo, non, si quid vitiose multis insederit, pro regula sermonis, amplendum est. * * * Ergo consuetudinem sermonis, vocabo consensum eruditorum sicut vivendi, consenum honorum.”—­De Inst.  Orat., Lib. i.  Cap. 6, p. 57.

[5] “The opinion of plenty is amongst the causes of want; and the great quantity of books maketh a show rather of superfluity than lack; which surcharge, nevertheless, is not to be removed by making no more books, but by making more good books, which, as the serpent of Moses, might devour the serpents of the enchanters.”—­Bacon.  In point of style, his lordship is here deficient; and he has also mixed and marred the figure which he uses.  But the idea is a good one.

[6] Not, “Oldham, in Hampshire,” as the Universal Biographical Dictionary has it; for Oldham is in Lancashire, and the name of Lily’s birthplace has sometimes been spelled “Odiam.”

[7] There are other Latin grammars now in use in England; but what one is most popular, or whether any regard is still paid to the ancient edict or not, I cannot say.  Dr. Adam, in his preface, dated 1793, speaking of Lily, says:  “His Grammar was appointed, by an act which is still in force, to be taught in the established schools of England.”  I have somehow gained the impression, that the act is now totally disregarded.—­G.  Brown.

[8] For this there is an obvious reason, or apology, in what his biographer states, as “the humble origin of his Grammar;” and it is such a reason as will go to confirm what I allege.  This famous compilation was produced at the request of two or three young teachers, who had charge of a small female school in the neighbourhood of the author’s residence:  and nothing could have been more unexpected to their friend and instructor, than that he, in consequence of this service, should become known the world over, as Murray the Grammarian.  “In preparing the work, and consenting to the publicaton, he had no expectation that it would be read, except by the school for which it was designed, and two or three other schools conducted by persons who were also his friends.”—­Life of L Murray, p. 250.

[9] Grammatici namque auctoritas per se nulla est; quom ex sola doctissimorum oraturum, historicorum, poetarum, et aliorum ideonorum scriptorum observatione, constet ortam esse veram grammaticam. Multa dicenda forent, si grammatistarum ineptias refellere vellem:  sed nulla est gloria praeterire asellos.”—­DESPAUTERII Praef.  Art.  Versif., fol. iii, 1517.