" a sense which is curiously adapted to
each of the three places. This will not be questioned with respect to
the second and third passages cited by {251} MR. HICKSON: and the
following citations will, I think, prove the point as effectually for
the passage of _Measure for Measure_:

1. "_Fine_ apparition".--_Tempest_, Act i. sc. 2.

2. "Spirit, _fine_ spirit."--Ditto.

3. "_Delicate_ Ariel."--Ditto.

4. "And, for thou wast a spirit too _delicate_,
To act her _earthy_ and abhorred commands."
Ditto.

5. "_Fine_ Ariel."--Ditto.

6. "My _delicate_ Ariel."--Ditto. Act iv. sc. 1.

7. "Why that's my _dainty_ Ariel."--Ditto. Act v.
sc. 1.

I do not know the precise nature of the "old authorities" which MR.
SINGER opposes to my conjecture: but may we not demur to the
conclusiveness of any "old authorities" on such a point? Etymology seems
to be one of the developing sciences, in which we know more, and better,
than our forefathers, as our descendants will know more, and better,
than we do.

To end with a brace of queries. Are not _delicioe_, _delicatus_, more
probably from _deligere_ than from _delicere_? And whence comes the word
_dainty_? I cannot believe in the derivation from _dens_, "a tooth."

B.H. KENNEDY.

* * * * *

AEROSTATION.

Your correspondent C.B.M. (Vol. ii., p 199.) will find a long article on
_Aerostation_ in Rees' _Cyclopaedia_; but his inquiry reminds me of a
conversation I had with the late Sir Anthony Carlisle, about a year
before his death. He wished to consult me on the subject of flying by
mechanical means, and that I should assist him in some of his
arrangements. He had devoted many years of his life to the consideration
of this subject, and made numerous experiments at great cost, which
induced him to believe in the possibility of enabling man to fly by
means of artificial wings. However visionary this idea might be, he had
collected innumerable and extremely interesting data, having examined
the anatomical structure of almost every winged thing in the creation,
and compared the weight of the body with the area of the wings when
expanded in the act of volitation as well as the natural habits of
birds, insects, bats, and fishes, with reference to their powers of
flying and duration of flight.

These notes would form a valuable addition to natural history, whatever
might be thought of th