[Dr Latham, in _English Language_, p. 377. (3d ed.), observes. "As to
the word _than_, the conjunction of comparison, it is a variety of
_then_; the notions of _order_, _sequence_, and _comparison_, being
allied. _This is good; then_ (or _next in order_) _that is good_, is an
expression sufficiently similar to _this is better than that_ to have
given rise to it."]
_Doctrine of the Immaculate Conception_ (Vol. ii., p. 407.).--"The Papal
decision" referred to may probably be found in the Popes Letters of 2nd
Feb. 1849, and of 20th May, 1850. The former professes to seek for
information on this question from the priests and bishops of the whole
Catholic world, but at the same time it enunciates clearly the Pope's
opinion in favour of the doctrine.