[TREBOR furnishes us with a reference to _Pegge's Anonymiana_,
who endeavours to show that the proper term is "halfer;" on
the same principle that an entire horse is spoken of, the word
being pronounced "hâver" by those who call half "hâfe," while
those who pronounce half with the open _a_ say "hauver:" while
J. Westby Gibson suggests that Havior is _Evir_, from the
Latin "_Eviro, Eviratus, Eviratio_," but admits that he can
give no authority for the use of _Evir_.]
_Sir W. Hamilton_ (No. 14. p. 216.).--Douglas says, that this Sir W.
Hamilton was not _son_, but grandson and brother of the 1st and 2nd
earls of Abercorn, his father having died _vitâ patris_. I therefore
doubt that the inscription has been miscopied. "He was," Douglas says,
"resident at Rome, on the part of the Queen Dowager;" but this could
hardly be the service alluded to.