Captain Cuttle.
Shakspeare's Seal.—Some years ago, when in Warwickshire, a wax impression of a seal was given to me by a gentleman as that of William Shakspeare. The gentleman had no means of verifying its authenticity, beyond the bare but positive assurances of the person from whom he had received it, an inhabitant of Stratford.
The appearance of the seal is not against the hypothesis of its genuineness. It is circular: the device is the well-known ornament called the True Lover's Knot, cut somewhat rudely in intaglio, apparently in steel; a favourite ornament in Tudor architecture from the time of Anne Boleyn downwards.
Can any of the readers of "N. & Q." encourage me to believe in the genuineness of this relic?
Sydney Smirke.
The long-lived Countess of Desmond.—An acknowledgment is due to The Knight of Kerry for his recent interesting communication respecting the portraits of this remarkable old lady: and, at the same time, the Knight may be requested to cause the portrait in the possession of Mr. Herbert, M.P., to be inspected; for it is respectfully suggested that the date on that picture is 1604, and not 1614.
This first date will correspond more closely with the age usually ascribed to the aged Countess.
It is said that an engraving of the portrait in The Knight of Kerry's possession stated that she was "born in 1464." Can any of your correspondents refer to this engraving, and say whether there is such an inscription on it, and if any authority is given for that date?
H. F. H.