_"All my eye"_ (Vol. vii., p. 525.).--An _earlier use_ of this "cant
phrase" than that given by MR. DANIEL may be found in Archbishop
Bramhall's _Answer to the Epistle of M. de la Milletière_, which answer
was first published in 1653:--
"Fifthly, suppose (all this notwithstanding) such a conference
should hold, what reason leave you to promise to yourself
such success, as to obtain so easy a victory? You have had
conferences and conferences again at Poissy and other places,
and gained by them just as much as you might _put in your eye
and see never the worse_."--Bramhall's _Works_, vol. i. pp.
68-9., edit. Ox. 1842.
The Archbishop elsewhere makes use of the same expression. Of its origin
I can say nothing nor of "over the left."