T. H. Kersley, B.A.
Audlem, Cheshire.
The Dodo (Vol. vii., p. 32.).—The progress of the interesting inquiry in "N. & Q." regarding the Dodo, induces me to communicate the fact, that amongst the architectural decorations of the palace of the ancient Kings of Kandy, in Ceylon (now inhabited by the governor, Reginald C. Buller, Esq.), there occur frequent and numerous representations of a bird, which in every particular of shape is identical with the extinct fowl of Mauritius. What is more curious is, that the natives were familiar with the figure as that of "the sacred bird," which is common on the Buddhist monuments throughout the island; but Ceylon possesses no existing species at all resembling the Dodo. I have a drawing copied from the figures in the Kandy palace; but as your publication does not admit of engraved illustration, I do not send it.
J. Emerson Tennent.
Some weeks ago, on looking over a box of old Kentish deeds and papers, P. C. S. S. found a lease, signed by his ancestor Sir John Fineux, on the 6th of October, 1522, to which is affixed a seal in perfect preservation, bearing what P. C. S. S. has hitherto erroneously supposed to be the crest of the Fineux family, viz. an eagle displayed. He is now, however, indebted to your correspondent (Vol. vi., p. 83.) for the conviction that it must be a Dodo, and that it can represent nothing else. For it is of "unwieldy form," has "disproportionate wings," and is altogether of a "clumsy figure." P. C. S. S. has till now believed that the uncouth appearance of the bird was owing to the want of skill in the artist. But it is now clear that it must undoubtedly be a Dodo; and P. C. S. S. will henceforward live, sibi carior, in the certainty that the chief justice of England temp. Henry VIII., from whom he has the honour to descend, bore a "veritable Dodo" as his crest.
P. C. S. S. takes this occasion of adverting to some Queries which appeared a few months ago, respecting serjeants' rings. He has in his
possession one of those given by Sir John Fineux on his assumption of the coif. The motto is, "Suæ quisque fortunæ faber."
P. C. S. S.
"Then comes the reckoning," &c. (Vol. v., p. 585.).—These two lines are to be found in Act II. Sc. 9. of the tragi-comi-pastoral, The What D'ye Call It, by John Gay, author of the Beggar's Opera, Fables, &c. The correct quotation is:
"So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,