another query

[Laurence Horn]

Not on hypercorrection this time, much less gender, but on the
history of "herbs" in America.  A colleague was asked:


>In the phrase "With sudden greens and herbage crown'd," how would
>"herbage" have been pronounced in 18th century Boston?  More
>specifically, would the "h" have been pronounced?


He couldn't answer reliably; nor can I (although we'd each have a
50-50 chance of getting it right). Anyone else?

Thanks,
LH

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