MR. JUSTICE NEWTON.
(Vol. vii., pp. 528. 600.)
It would greatly enhance the value of contributions to "N. & Q.," save much trouble, and often lead to a more direct intercourse between persons of similar pursuits, if contributors would drop initials, and sign their own proper name and habitat; and in saying this, I believe the Editor will second me. If C. S. G. had done this, I should have been happy to send him an envelope full of proofs that Mr. Justice Newton did not die in 1444, for that a fine was levied before him in 1448; that he is not buried in Bristol Cathedral, but in the Wyke Aisle in Yatton Church, Somerset, where may be seen his effigies beautifully carved in alabaster, in his judge's robes, and his head resting on a wheat-sheaf or garb; that there was no relationship between the second baronet of Hather, his arms being cross bones, &c., and those of the judge, who was truly a Cradock, were three garbs, &c. I would now beg leave to refer C. S. G. to my former communications in "N. & Q." about Cradock Newton, particularly Vol. ii., pp. 248. 427.; Chronica Judicialia, 1635; Foss's Lives of the Judges; and a paper of mine in the forthcoming volume of the Proceedings of the Archæological Institute at Bristol.
H. T. Ellacombe.
Rectory, Clyst St. George.
From C. S. G.'s reply to my inquiry respecting Mr. Justice Newton I conclude that at least two individuals of this name have, at different periods, and at a considerable interval apart, occupied the judicial bench.
The portrait I wish to trace is of a well-known character of the Commonwealth era, and could not, of course, have belonged to a judge then some two centuries deceased. My omission to state this circumstance, in the first instance, has very naturally occasioned complete misapprehension throughout.
Since my Query was written, a duplicate of the drawing in the Bodleian (minus the inscription), out of the Strawberry Hill collection, has, curiously enough, appeared in an extensive public sale. It was likewise said to be by Bulfinch; and farther examination leads me to infer that both this and the Oxford copy were, in respect of artist, in all probability not incorrectly described. As Bulfinch lived temp. Charles II., and the Bodleian inscription points to his original painting, as "in the hands of Mr. Justice Newton," it may fairly be presumed that a second judge of the name flourished in this reign.
Substantially, then, my original Query yet remains unanswered, notwithstanding C. S. G.'s obliging reply.
F. Kyffin Lenthall.
36. Mount Street, Grosvenor Square.