In reply to the inquiry as to a priest's wife, p. 77. Number 5., I would suggest that married persons may have separated, and retired each into the celibacy of a convent, yet might join, when necessary, in a legal conveyance; but I should examine closely the word deciphered clericus.
To J.J., who inquires about "Whelps," and refers to Howell's Letters, sect. 5. p. 9., I beg leave to suggest more precision in his future references. The passage is in one (viz. the viii.) of the 42 letters of the 5th section; but in the last and best edition (Lond. 1754) it is p. 204. I note this to inculcate the necessity of accurate references and mention of the edition quoted. As to the query itself, I can answer that the "whelps" were a class, perhaps I might say a litter, of light men-of-war of the fifth rate, which were so called, perhaps, after one named the "Lion's Whelp," in Queen Elizabeth's navy, and distinguished by numbers, as "1st Whelp," "2nd Whelp," and so on to at least "10th Whelp," which is to be found in a list of the navy in 1651. She was of 180 tons, and carried 18 guns and 60 men. It seems not easy to account for this class of vessels having been rated so high as 5th rates, but I suppose they were a favourite and favoured class.
In reference to the discovery of America by Madoc, pp. 7. 12. 25. 57., it may amuse your readers to be informed that Seneca shadows forth such a discovery:—
"Venient annis sæcula seris
Quibus Oceanus vincula rerum
Laxet, et ingens pateat tellus,
Ichthysque novos deteget orbes;
Nec sit terris ultima Thule."
Medea, act ii, ad finem, v. 375.
"A vaticination," says the commentator, "of the Spanish discovery of America." It is certainly a curious passage.