Chapter C: De D

_Edward Bagshaw_ (Vol. v., p. 298.).--W. B. inquires whether Sir Edward Bagshaw, of Finglas, left other children besides two daughters; which two he describes as married to Ryves and Burroughs respectively? and whether Castle-Bagshaw, in the co. Cavan, took its name from this branch of the family, with any other information concerning this Sir Edward?

I have looked into my Cavan MS. Collections, and I find from them that Sir Edward Bagshaw had been, so far as I can at present see, an adventurer of Cromwell's introduction, debentured on lands of Cavan, viz. Callaghan, Tirgromley, Derrychill, Timhowragh, and seventeen other denominations, which were thereupon erected into the manor of Castlebagshaw, and whereon he built a castle: such I _suppose_ the origin of the manor and castle. It is more certain, and indeed on proof before me, that he had one daughter named Anne, and married before 1654 to _Thomas Richardson_, of Dublin, Esq., who, having paid 600_l._ to Sir Edward, he, for that consideration, and for the marriage, granted all the premises to Richardson in fee, who assigned them in 1661 to four different persons. One of these assignees was Ambrose Bedell, a son of the celebrated William Bedell, Bishop of Kilmore and Ardagh. Sir Edward Bagshaw died about 1661, possibly just previous to this partition. His latter days were I think passed at Finglas, in the description of which locality, in my _History of the Co. Dublin_, I find this apposite notice (p. 371.): "Under the communion table are flat tombstones of very ancient date, _to the families of Bagshaw and Ryves_;" but their position precluded my decyphering their evidence. Of the family of Bagshaw I have in my Genealogical Collections various notices, as well in this country as in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

JOHN D'ALTON.

48. Sumner Hill, Dublin.

_White Livers_ (Vol. v., pp. 127. 212.).--Dissen interprets the λευκαὶ φρένες of Pindar (Part IV. 194.), pale with envy, envious; alii aliter. Whatever be the exact meaning of this debated phrase, the idea at the ground of it appears the same as that in the modern "white liver." According to Homer, it will be remembered, φρένες ἦπαρ ἔχουσιν. (_Od._ ix. 301.)

A. A. D.

[SIGMA refers our correspondent to Ryan's _Medical Jurisprudence_,
and Elliotson's _Physiology_, for a medical explanation of the
phrase--not quite suited to our pages.--ED.]

_Miniature of Cromwell_ (Vol. v., p. 189.).--Miniatures of Oliver Cromwell do not appear to be very rare. At least, in addition to those which have been noted in your columns, I may state that I picked up at Stockholm, a few years ago, a very well-executed miniature of the Regicide, which was in all probability brought to Sweden by his ambassador Whitlock. The miniature is very small, is protected by a thick glass, and is framed in an ornamented, richly gilt, copper frame. It is, I think, painted in ivory, and is backed by a gilt copper plate, on which is engraved, in characters apparently of the period, "_Ol, Cromwáll_, Anno 1684." The accent over the _á_ renders it probable that setting and inscription are foreign. The painting itself gives the features of Cromwell very exactly, and represents him in plain armour, with a plain falling collar round the neck, and long flowing hair.

G. J. R. G.

_Sleck Stone, Meaning of_ (Vol. v., p. 140.).--I have just found a passage in Burton's _Anatomy of Melancholy_ which proves that R. C. H. was correct in the remarks he made on these words, viz. that they ought to have been printed _sleek-stone_, and that they were the name of an instrument used for _smoothing_ or _polishing_, and not for _sharpening_:

"The ebon stone which goldsmiths use to sleeken their gold with,
born about or given to drink, hath the same properties, or not
much unlike."--_Anat. of Mel._, Part ii. sec. iv. mem. 1. subs. 4.
[Blake, one vol. 8vo. MDCCCXXXVI. P. 437.]

Lady Macbeth says:

"Come on;
Gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks;
Be bright and jovial 'mong your guests to-night."

_Macbeth_, Act III. Sc. 2.