10 MAY 1890, Page 14

MATTHEW:PRIOWS POEMS.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:]

should be unwilling to occupy the valuable space of the Spectator with a controversy as ancient as that raised by Mr. Dering. I wrote the note to which he refers because I hold that "than" is a conjunction, coupling like cases. I am aware that Dean Alford, who was not impeccable, had a pre- ference for Prior's form ; I remember also that Milton's con- struction was much favoured by our old friend Nicholas, the sporting prophet, recently so pleasantly revived by Mr. Andrew Lang. If Mr. Dering will look, not at "The Queen's English," but at "The Dean's English," fourth edition, 1865, pp. 94, 146, and 166, he will find a variety of arguments on the other side of the question.—I am, Sir, &c.,

AUSTIN DOBSON.