OLIVER CROMWELL.-I have often seen engravings representing "Cromwell at Marston Moor," in which Oliver is depicted as making a sword cut at a royalist cuirassier, who is levelling a pistol at Cromwell's head. Is there any account of this incident, or does it only originate in the imagination of the artist. There is also a painting, which has been engraved, called the "Battle of Worcester." It represents an old, bareheaded, mounted cavalier, making a sword-thrust at a Roundhead cornet, who carries, in his right hand, a Commonwealth standard (charged with the St. George's cross and harp), and, with his left hand, is covering the cavalier with a pistol. Is this scene historical or imaginary D. TROWBRIDGE.

KEELINGE FAMILY.-I wish to obtain information relative to this family, which was formerly seated at Sedgley Park, co. Stafford. Lord Chief Justice Keelinge was a member. Who is the male representative, and is there a pedigree anywhere extant? In the seventeenth century a certain Lady Foster married into this family, I believe; is anything known of her ladyship's family? The arms of Keelinge are-Gules, between two lions rampant or, a bend engrailed of the second, charged with three scaling ladders of the field.

F.

COLONEL JOHN LILBURNE.-Doubting whether any full, to say nothing of true and particular, account of the extant portraits of "Free-born John" has ever been supplied to the public, I append a list kindly furnished by a friend as a nucleus, conceiving that, ere the subject drops, a suitable opportunity occurs for enquiry.

I. Portrait. 8vo, Holler.

2. Whole length with names of jury. 4to.

3. From Earl Spencer's drawing, by Bullfinch; engraved by Cooper.

4. t. 23, 1641; altered when in prison. 8vo, G. Glover. 5. A small oval with account of his sufferings. Holler. 6. Standing at the Bar; prefixed to his "Trial," 1649. 4to.

7. 8vo. Vander Gucht, &c.

8. Full length; a woodcut in Knight's "England," iii. 302.

and general aspect of this remarkable man to the Spencer
and the medallic portraits, and the various engraved render-
ings of these?
H. ECROYD SMITH.

ADMIRAL BLAKE.-Is there any authentic portrait of the gallant Admiral Blake? The one at Greenwich represents him with lightish brown hair, but I have doubts as to its authenticity, as it differs entirely from the one engraved in Hepworth Dixon's memoir of the naval hero. In the latter he has a full plump face, and, apparently, black, or, at least, ?very dark hair. The latter portrait resembles one I saw for sale some years ago, asserted to be that of the renowned "Admiral and General at Sea." It was a half-length, the figure being attired in a suit of black armour, with gilt rivets. The face was close shaven, and very plump, or rather, I may say, fat, with a double chin, and pleasant, jovial expression. The mouth was feminine in its smallness, and its short pouting upper lip. The eyes were large and black, and the long hair dark as a raven's wing; but the singularity of the portrait lay in the complexion, which was of a creamy whiteness, without the slightest flush on the jolly cheeks. As it is always interesting to know how a departed hero looked, when walking the earth, I should be glad to know whether there is any undoubted portrait of the Admiral extant, and if so, whether it has the hair and eyes and death-pale face of the one I have described ?

Of the above only numbers 4, 5, and 6 appear in Bromley's catalogue. I possess a copper plate, originally, probably, in 8vo, which, in common with numbers 3 and 7, may have been engraved from the Spencer portrait, although the face, in my print, is at least one-fourth longer in proportion to the size, whilst the features are infinitely older than the smooth-faced portrait as produced by Cooper; the dress and cut of the hair is, however, identical. The only signature to my print is "Benoist Sculp," and it certainly ought to have been known to Bromley, who also is in default through making no mention of the various medals and medallets struck under the auspices of Simon, and, perhaps, other artists. Two, at least, of Simon's were engraved by Vertue in his illustrations of this clever die-sinker's productions, viz. -Circular Medal-ob. Bust of Lilburne, to left circumscription in three lines." JOHN LILBORNE SAVED BY THE POWER OF THE LORD AND THE INTEGRITY OF HIS IVRY WHO ARE IVDGES OF LAW AS WELL AS FACT, OCT. 26, 1649." Rev. an expanded rose, circumscribed with a list of the jurors, viz. :-"MYLES PETTY; STE. ILES; ALR. SMITH; ION. KING; MIC. MVRIN; THO. DAINTY; EDM. KEYSAR; EDW. PARKINS; RAL. PACKMAN; WM. COMINS; SY. WHEELDON; HEN. TOWLEY; OCT. 26, 1649." The second is a small oval medallet, looped on top for suspension to the person-ob. Bust of Lilburne to the left, "IOHN LILBORN." Rev. shield of the family arms upon an oval shaded ground, "OCT. 26, 1649." Is any original oil painting, or other medal or drawing known than those specified? In other words, are we dependent or our knowledge of the features

C. HUME.

THE KIMBERS OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE.-Is anything known of a Gloucestershire family named Kimber? Burke, in his "General Armoury," gives the arms of Kimber as,Argent, three Cornish choughs, sable, beaked and legged gules; on a chief of the second, as many mullets of the first. Crest, a bull's head affronté. Motto, "Franzas non flectas." Are these the arms of the Kimbers of Gloucestershire, and, if not, to what branch of the family do they belong?

FRASER.

ARMORIAL.-I have a carved oak panel, date about 1650, consisting of a coat of arms, surrounded by a border of flowers, and scrolls cut in a very bold style (I am told it came from the old church at Tooting, Surrey, which was pulled down some few years since). On the shield are cut the following arms :-A chevron, between what appears to be three wolves' heads erased, crowned, impaling a talbot (or hound) in fess, between three fleurs-de-lis. Could any of your correspondents inform me by whom these arms were borne ? R. G. RICE.

ANCIENT JEWEL.-Is the jewel alluded to in the following extract, still in existence, and if so in whose possession does it remain ?

"An ancient medal, or coin, ornamented with jewe Is was purchased, a few years since, of one of the decendants of Penderell, to whom it was presented by Charles II., as a valuable token of his gratitude for certain protection afforded by him to that prince, when endeavouring to effect his escape in disguise from England, in the year 1648. It consists of a gold coin of Ferdinand II., dated 1638, surrounded by a row of sixteen brilliants, enchased in silver, enriched with blue enamel, and bearing the motto, Usque ad aris fidelis.' The reverse is also enamelled, and the jewel is intended to be worn as an ornament to the person."

Replies.

CROMWELL'S GRAVE (Vol. iv. 32, 82).—I cannot agree with your correspondents in believing that there would be any probability of discovering the Protector Oliver's burialplace on the Field of Naseby. There are many idle stories about his interment, but the following passage in Cunningham's "Handbook of London" (2nd edit., pp. 516-7) de scribes accurately, as I believe, the real facts of the case :Oliver Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw, were hung, on the first anniversary (Jan. 30th, 1660-1) of the execution of Charles I. after the Restoration. Their bodies were dragged from their graves in Henry VII.'s Chapel, in Westminste: Abbey, and removed at night to the Red Lion Inn, in sledges to Tyburn, and there, in their shrouds and cere Holborn, from whence they were carried next morning in cloths, suspended till sunset, at the several angles of the bodies buried beneath the gallows, and their heads set upoz gallows. They were then taken down and beheaded, their poles on the top of Westminster Hall."

"On the three wooden stilts of Tyburn, the bodies of

That it was the real body of Cromwell that was thus treated can admit of no reasonable doubt. It was carefully embalmed, and could not be mistaken by the persons who carried out the barbarous order of the House of Lords. This of course disposes of the argument that he was not originally buried in Westminster Abbey, even if we do not believe the mass of historical evidence proving his original See an article entitled "Observations interment there.

scaffold, was found nestled up under her royal robes, between the bloody head and trunk of his dead mistress; and (saith an account from an eye-witness, printed at Antwerp, MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS (Vol. iii. 93).-Your corres-1588), when the blood began to flow, he licked the hideous pondent's query is not quite accurately stated. This poor wounds of her who had caressed him in life. Afterwards, Queen, who deeply earned the title of "unfortunate," was, he would never be induced to taste meat or drink, but died it is true, clumsily struck by the executioner's axe, but I am for grief." No such love, and no such friend, was near the not aware that any historian, or contemporary account of deathbed of Elizabeth, when her time came. the execution, states that Mary "afterwards covered her head H. WRIGHT. with a veil, &c." The most trustworthy account of the incidents of her heroic death will be found in Jebb's history of her life; A French account of her martyrdom; and especially in Mignet's late "History of Mary Queen of Scots," 1863. The Queen, who received, when ill in bed in the afternoon, the news that she was to be executed next morning at 8 o'clock, dressed herself in her widow's garb, putting on the handsomest she had (but which, from Elizabeth's mean vindictiveness, was poor at best). It was a gown of dark crimson velvet, with black satin corsage, from which chaplets and scapularies were suspended; over which was a cloak of black figured satin, a long train, lined with sable, a standing up collar, and hanging sleeves. A white veil was thrown over her, reaching from her head to her feet. She wore besides a skirt of taffety, drawers of white fustian, stockings of blue silk, garters of silk, and morocco pumps. She took with her a handkerchief, with a fringe of gold, as a bandage for her eyes on the scaffold. After being compelled to listen to a long harangue by the English parson, wherein he insulted her and her faith, at length she got to the scaffold. Here the executioners offered to assist her to undress, but she declined their service, saying she never had such "valets de chambre," and received assistance from her weeping maids. She put off cloak, veil, &c., retaining only a petticoat of red taffety, flowered with velvet. Her eyes being bandaged, and her neck laid on the block, one of the executioners holding her straightly with one of his hands, the chief executioner himself was moved, and aimed with an unsteady hand. The axe, instead of falling on the neck, struck the back of the head, and wounded her; yet her courage was such that she made no complaint, nor heaved even a sigh. At the next blow the head was cut off from the body, "except a little gristle left behind," and the tragedy was over. A black cloth was thrown over her remains. The two Earls (Kent and Shrewsbury-executioners-in-chief under the executioner-general, Queen Elizabeth) did not leave to the executioners, according to custom, the golden cross around her neck, the chaplets which hung from her girdle, nor the clothes she wore at her death, lest these dear and venerated spoils would be purchased from him by her loving servants, and be treasured up as relics. They therefore burned them. They also took great pains to prevent anything being preserved that had been stained with poor Mary's blood, all traces of which they caused to be immediately removed. The body was embalmed, very carelessly, and with very little respect; was wrapped in wax-cloth, and enclosed in a leaden-coffin, and put aside until the wishes of Mary's great enemy were known. The English, perceiving that the Queen's poor servants went to the room where the body of their friend and mistress was lying, and looked through the keyhole (for the room was kept carefully locked), caused the keyhole to be stopped up, to prevent them this small sad consolation. When the news of Mary's murder reached London all the bells in the city were set a-ringing, and bonfires lighted in every street, so delighted and sycophantish were the people with an act which has stained with blood the name of Elizabeth for all time. As for "the crocodile of iniquity (Elizabeth), to paliate her dissimulation the more, she wept most bitterly, put on mourning, and laid the whole blame on Davison." -Freebairn's "Life of Mary," Edinburgh, 1725.

An affecting instance of the love and fidelity of the dog was observed at poor Mary's death. Her little dog, "whom they could never separate from her without doing violence to Her Majesty, as they were lifting her dead body off the

upon the Disposal of Oliver the Protector's Body," pp. 288-291, vol. i. of Rev. Mark Noble's "Memoirs of the Protectoral House of Cromwell," 3rd edit., 8vo, London, 1787.

I have a curious pamphlet entitled “Narrative relating to the real Embalmed Head of Oliver Cromwell, now exhibiting in Mead-court, in Old Bond-street, 1799." I: gives a long account of the head, stating that it was supposed to have been blown off the top of Westminster Hall on a stormy night in the latter end of the reign of Charles II. or the beginning of that of James II., and afterwards preserved in the Russell family, &c. This head or skul of Oliver Cromwell is probably that now in the possession of Mr. W. A. Wilkinson, of Beckenham, Kent.

My conclusions are that the body most probably remained buried at Tyburn, but that the head seems to have been preserved to the present time.

HENRY W. HENFREY, F.R.Hist.S., &c.

A CHILD'S CAUL (Vol. iv. 77).-The "caul" is regarde' with great superstition, even in these days of enlightenment amongst mariners and sea-faring men in general. Many take these membranes with them believing they act as charms against foul weather, while others believe they serve as talismans against shipwreck. Sometimes a very strange interpretation is attached to them. A seaman obtains a child: caul shortly after the child is born. This he guards with great watchfulness, under the idea that as long as the cal born child lives he will be secure from misfortune. charm of these cauls many people are of opinion dies with the persons with whom they are born. I have heard i stated that as long as the child enjoys good health the ca experiences the same, and is dry, flexible, and healthy; b on the caul-born person suffering from any sickness or de clining in health, the membrane also undergoes a change. which becomes daily more apparent, either becoming totaly

The

the forty-eighth year of his age. Cromeck states that the ballad was originally written by Lowe in the Scottish dialect, and afterwards given in the English form, by which it is now universally known. Mr. C. K. Sharpe, however, who had better means of knowing, says this was not the case, the Scottish version being one of Allan Cunning. ham's modern antiques he so liked to palm off when he had the chance.

failing such issue then for the purpose which is destined to carry his name down to a remote posterity. In his will, dated 1826, he describes himself as "James Smithson, son of Hugh, first Duke of Northumberland, and Elizabeth, heiress of the Hungerfords, of Audley, niece of Charles the Proud, Duke of Somerset," and bequeathes all his property of what nature soever to the nephew we have mentioned, failing whom (which event took place) to "the United States of America for the establishment of an institution The air to which "Mary's Dream" is sung is very at Washington under the name of The Smithsonian In- beautiful. It is comparatively modern. Author not known. stitution,' for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." He left about 120,000l., and Congress, who ad-lines which come in before the last four quoted by O. B. To render the ballad complete, I beg to supply the twelve minister the estate, have built and carry on "The Smithsonian Institution" at Washington, whose fame already is not confined to English-speaking lands. By Act of Congress, a copy of each book, map, or print for which the author desires a copyright, must be delivered to the Smithsonian Institution as well as to the Congress Library. The Smithsonian Institution hitherto has produced good fruit, and as its scope is broad and universal-" the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men,"-the proud ambition of its founder will doubtless be realized.

H. WRIGHT.

EISTEDDFOD (Vol. iv. 94).-I believe the first modern Eisteddfod was held at Caerwys, May 26, 1568. Pennant ("Tour in Wales," quarto edit. vol. 1. p. 433) gives an account of it; but if Mr. Lloyd wants the origin of Eisteddofau, Mr. Pennant will tell him they were the British Olyma pics." By the way, after for many years, placing the final "to the word Eisteddfod, to render it into the plural, our newspaper correspondents this year, some of them write "Eisteddfodan," and on the strength of this Punch, the other day, in some lines to the Welsh Harp, gives "Poor Mary Anne," as a rhyme to the word. Mr. Shirley Brooks, I fancy, must be taking his well-earned holiday, for he knows Wales too well to fall into such an error.

S

ASKEW ROBERTS.

ETYMOLOGY OF THE RED SEA (Vol. iv. 98).-Allow me to add another supposed reason for the name, Red Sea or Sea of Edom (the red man). Esau was so called, not because he was ruddy in complexion, or had red hair like our Rufus, but because he sold his birthright for a pottage of red lentiles (Gen. xxv. 30). In the Bible, the Red Sea is generally called the sedgy sea (yam-suph), because the wind drives into it a vast quantity of sedge or sea-weed. -See Brewer's "Phrase and Fable," 2nd. edit. 741.

FREDERICK RULE.

AUTHOR WANTED (Vol. iv. 77).-The Scottish ballad, "Mary's Dream," partly quoted by O. B., was written in 1772 by Mr. John Lowe, a native of Kenmure, in Galloway, south of Scotland. His father was gardener to Mr. Gordon, of Kenmure, and he was educated at the parish school of Kells. When fourteen years old he was apprenticed as a weaver to a Mr. Heron, whose son, Robert Heron, was the author of a "History of Scotland," a "Life of Robert Burns," and other works. He, however, soon left the loom, got additional instruction from Mr. Mackay, schoolmaster of Carsphairn, and afterwards went to the University of Edinburgh, to study for the Kirk. He became tutor in the family of Mr. McGhee, of Airds, and there he composed this song, as well as others now lost. It seems that Mary, one of Mr. McGhee's daughters, was engaged to Mr. Alexander Miller, a surgeon, who was unfortunately lost at sea, and on this event he composed his beautiful lyric. In 1773 Mr. Lowe went to America, and became tutor in the family of a brother of General George Washington. Afterwards he opened an academy at Fredericksburg, Virginia, which he left on being ordained a clergyman in the Episcopal Church. His next step was an unfortunate one: he married, his wife being a Virginian lady, and her gross misconduct was such that it broke his tender heart; and so he died, in

"Three stormy nights and stormy days
We toss'd upon the raging main,
And long we strove our bark to save,
But all our striving was in vain.

"E'en then, when horror chill'd my blood,
My heart was filled with love for thee;
The storm is past, and I at rest,

So, Mary, weep no more for me.

"O, maiden dear, thyself prepare,
We soon shall meet upon that shore
Where love is free from doubt and care,
And thou and I shall part no more."

H. WRIGHT.

The author of the ballad entitled "Mary's Dream," of which the one quoted is a very poor version, was John Lowe, native of Kenmure, in Galloway. A short account of him is prefixed to another version in "Songs of Scotland," published in Glasgow, by Ogle & Co., in 1871, and later by Hogg.

The original ballad, which is much more Scottish in its language and style, is to be found in the "Universal Songster," published by Fairbairn, Vol. 3, p. 213. It is much longer than the one quoted by O. B., and commences with the following lines

"The lovely moon had climbed the hill,
Where eagles big aboon the Dee,
And, like the looks of a lovely dame,
Brought joy to every body's ec."

J. H. BURNEY,

WAYZ-GOOSE (Vol. iv. 67, 96).-The celebration by most of the London printing-houses and newspaper establishments of the annual wayz-goose is of very ancient date, probably as old as the time when William Caxton practised typography in a house now called the Almonty, near the western door of Westminister Abbey from 1476 to 1491, when he died. Randle Holme, a writer in 1688, says: "It is customary to make every year new paper windows in Bartholomew-tide (August 24), at which time the master printers make them a feast called a wayz-goose, to which is invited the corrector, founder, smith, ink-maker, &c., who all open their purses and give to the workmen to spend in the tavern or ale-house after the feast, from which they begin to work by candlelight."

VERITAS.

PENGARSWICK (Vol. iv. 85).-When in the south of Cornwall in the summer of 1871, I paid a visit to this neglected old ruin. Whilst there the following legend was related to me by a friend residing in the neighbourhood. A merchant having acquired a large fortune at sea, returned to this country, and landed near the spot where the castle now stands. Not having decided when he should settle down to enjoy his fortune, he loaded an ass with his gold and determined to build his castle where the ass first rested. The weight of the gold soon caused the poor animal to break down, and on the spot where he fell, the merchant fulfilled his promise by erecting the castle. This is said to have happened in the reign of Henry VIII. The castle was purchased by Mr. Millton in the latter part of this monarch's reign. The tower of the castle is about 60 feet high. The