Chapter C: H. Cooper

_Davies Queries_ (Vol. iv., p. 256.).--LLAW GYFFES asks for a correct description of the monument erected to Sir John Davys, Davis, or Davies, in St. Martin's church. Perhaps the following will answer his purpose: it is extracted from one of a series of MS. volumes in my possession, in the autograph of John Le Neve:--

"On the 3rd pillar, on the south range, a plain white marble
monument, in memory of Sir _John Davis_, Knight. Inscrip.:

"D. O. M. S. Johannes Davys, Equestris Ordinis, quondam attornati
Regii Generalis amplissima Provincia regno Hib. functus. Inde in
patriam revocatus inter Servientes Domini Regis ad Regem primum
locum sustinuit, ob. 1626.

"Accubat Dignissimo Marito incomparabilis Uxorque illustre genus
et generi pares animos, Christiana Mansuetudine temperavit,
Erudita supra sexum mitis infra sortem, plurimis major, quia
humilior, in eximia forma sublime ingenium, in venusta Comitate,
singularem modestiam, in Foemineo Corpore virales spiritus, in
Rebus adversissimis serenam mentem, in Impio seculo Pietatem et
Rectitudinem inconcussa possedit.

"Non illi Robustam animam ad res lauta laxavit, aut Angusta
contraxit, sed utramq; sortem pari animoq; non excepit modo sed
rexit. Quippe Dei plena cui plenitudini mundus, nec benig. addere
nec malignus detrahere potuisset.

"Talis Deum jamdudum spirans et sursum aspirans, sui ante et Reip.
fata præsaga, salutisq; Æterna certissima, ingenti lætoq; ardore
in Servatoris dilectissimi sinum ipsius sanguine totam animam
efflavit, rebus humanis exempta, immortalitate induit 3 nonas
Quintilis, _An. Kal._ 1652.

"Arms; on a Lozenge; Argent a Heart Gules, on a Chief Sable 3
Mullets.

"Also at the bottom of the Monument, Sable a Fess Ermin between 3
Cinquefoils Argent."

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

_Fawsley, Heraldic Atchievement_ (Vol. v., p. 297.).--See Baker's _Northamptonshire_, vol. i. p. 385-6., where the shield of the knightly quarterings is noticed in describing the Manor house.

r.

_Old Scots March_ (Vol. v., pp. 104. 235.).--Your correspondent E. N., after quoting a passage from Mr. Tytler's _Dissertation on Scottish Music_, says he has "never yet been able to meet with any of the _ports_ here referred to." I have the pleasure to inform him that several curious ancient _ports_ have been preserved, and may be found in the _Skene MS._, and in _Gordon of Straloch's Lute Book_.

_Port_, in Gaelic, signifies an air, either sung or played upon an instrument. Mr. Tytler correctly describes this species of composition as of the plaintive strain, and _modulated for the harp_. All the existing specimens answer to this character.

The _Ports_ which are contained in the above-named MSS., are named as follows: "Rory Dall's Port," "Port Ballangowne," "Jean Lindsay's Port," &c.

It may be necessary to say, that these tunes are written in an obsolete notation called _tablature_. Translations, however, are in my possession, and if E. N. wishes for copies, he is quite welcome to have them if he will favour me with a communication.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

29. St. Mark's Crescent, Regent's Park.

_Periwinkle_ (Vol. i., p. 77.).--The following note, from Withering's _Arrangement of British Plants_, vol. ii. p. 341. ed. 1830, will perhaps be acceptable to MELANION:--

"VINCA. PERIWINKLE. (From _vincio_, to bind; its runners trailing
round other plants. Or to those who prefer a more interesting
association, we would intimate that of such was formed in ancient
times the bridal zone, which none but the bridegroom was
privileged to untie. In modern Italy it is said to be appropriated
to a far different usage, that of enwreathing deceased infants;
and is hence called _Fior di Morto_.--E.)"

W. R. DEERE SALMON.

_Erasmus' Paraphrase_ (Vol. i., p. 172.).--If it be allowable to answer one's own Query, and not too late to go back to Vol. i., I should like to notice that the fragment therein referred to corresponds, as far as it goes, with an edition "Empriented in Flete Strete the last daie of Januarie, Anno Domini, 1548," by Edward Whitchurch, and is no doubt part of that edition. In the Churchwardens' Accounts for this parish it is thus mentioned:

"1589. It[=m], pd. to Mr Vicar w'ch he layde downe
for ye Englyshe Paraphrase of Erasmus ijs.

"It[=m], chaynes for two bookes xijd.

"It[=m], spent at chayninge ye same ijd."

J. EASTWOOD.

Ecclesfield Hall.

"_Black Gowns and Red Coats_" (Vol. v., p. 297.).--I am not aware that it was ever any secret, or, at any rate, that there is any occasion to make it so now, that the satire _Black Gowns and Red Coats_ was the production of George Cox, M.A., and Fellow of New College, Oxford; neither did I ever hear of its suppression. The satire is certainly somewhat severe; but even those who fell under its lash could scarcely deny its great ability, or the high poetical talent which it evinced. Such as knew the marvellous promise of his youth can never cease to lament that it pleased God to bring the author's life to a premature and unhappy close.

I have a copy of the little book, which I would gladly _lend_ to any one making a proper application through the publisher.