Sir G. Browne, Bart.—Sir George Browne, Bart., of West Stafford, Berks, and Wickham, is said to have had nineteen children by his wife Eleanor Blount; and that three of those children were sons, killed in the service of Charles I.
Was either of those sons named Richard; and was any of them, and which, married? If so, where, and to whom?
Newbury.
Bishop Butler.—Will any of our Roman Catholic friends tell us on what authority they assert that Bishop Butler, the author of The Analogy, died in their communion? That he was suspected of a tendency that way during his life is acknowledged by all, though the grounds, that of setting up a cross in his chapel, are confessedly unsatisfactory. But, besides this, it is alleged that he died with a Roman Catholic book of devotion in his hand, and that the last person in whose company he was seen was a priest of that persuasion. One would be glad to have this question sifted.
X. Y. Z.
Oaken Tombs.—In Dr. Whitaker's noble history of Loidis and Elmete, p. 322., is the following passage:
"Next in point of time is a very singular memorial, which has evidently been removed from its original position, between the chapel and the high altar, to a situation at the south side and west end of the chapel.... The tomb is a messy frame-work of oak, with quarter-foils and arms on three sides, and on the table above three statues of the same material, namely, of a knight bare-headed, with rather youthful countenance and sharp features, and his two wives. On the filleting is this rude inscription in Old English:
'Bonys emong Stonys, lyes here ful styl,
Quilst the sawle wanders wher God wyl.
Anno Dni MCCCCCXXIX.'
This commemorates Sir John Savile, who married, &c.
"Over all has been a canopy, or rather tester, for the whole must have originally resembled an antique and massy bedstead, exhibiting the very incongruous appearance of a husband in bed with two wives at once."
The Doctor adds:
"Oaken tombs are very rare; that of Aymer de Valence in Westminster Abbey has been and still is in part coated over with copper, gilt, and enamelled, and I have seen another in the church of Tickencote in Rutlandshire. I do not recollect a third specimen."
Query, How many have been discovered since the great historian's day?