Stoke Newington.
Roman Catholics confined in Fens of Ely.—Mr. Dickens, in Household Words, No. 169. p. 382., in the continuation of a "Child's History of England," says, when alluding to the threatened invasion of England by the Spanish Armada:
"Some of the Queen's advisers were for seizing the principal English Catholics, and putting them to death; but the queen—who, to her honour, used to say that she would never believe any ill of her subjects, which a parent would not believe of her own children—neglected the advice, and only confined a few of those who were the most suspected among them, in the fens of Lincolnshire."
Mr. Dickens had, of course, as he supposed, good authority for making this statement; but, in reply to a private communication, he states it should have been Fens of Ely. I am, perhaps convicting myself of gross ignorance by seeking for information respecting it; nevertheless, I venture to ask the readers of at "N. & Q." for a reference to the authentic history, where a corroboration of Mr. Dickens' statement is to be found?
Pishey Thompson.
Stoke Newington.
White Bell Heather transplanted.—Is it generally known that white bell heather becomes pink on being transplanted from its native hills into a garden? Two plants were shown to me a few days ago, by a country neighbour, flowering pink, which were transplanted, the one three, and the other two, years ago; the former had white bells for two years, the latter for one year only. What I wish to know is, Whether these are exceptional cases or not?
W. C.
Argyleshire.
Green's "Secret Plot."—Can you inform me where the scene of the following drama is laid, and the names of the dramatis personæ? The Secret Plot; a tragedy by Rupert Green, 12mo., 1777. The author of this play, which was published when he was only in his ninth year, was the son of Mr. Valentine Green, who wrote a history of Worcester.