It was not Randle the grandfather of Richard Minshull, writer of the two letters transcribed by Mr. Hunter, but Randle the eldest son of this Richard Minshull to whom I referred as the father of Elizabeth Milton. Nor is it possible that this Elizabeth could have "died in infancy," seeing that I possess a copy of a bond (the original is also extant) from her brother Richard, then of Wistaston, where he was baptized April 7, 1641, secured to her as Elizabeth Milton, dated June 4, 1680.
As to the marriage itself, it may have taken place in London, where the poet resided; or, which is more probable, at or near the residence of their mutual friend, Dr. Paget. Milton was certainly not over-careful about ritual observances, and it is not therefore unlikely that the rigid Puritan preferred a private, or what is termed a civil marriage, to one religiously and properly conducted in the church of his forefathers.
T. Hughes.
PECULIAR ORNAMENT IN CROSTHWAITE CHURCH.
(Vol. viii., p. 55.)
It is probable that these circles with eight radiations are the original dedication-crosses of the church. Such crosses are still to be seen painted on the piers of the nave in Roman Catholic churches. Durandus, describing the consecration of a church, says:
"In the meanwhile within the building twelve lamps be burning before twelve crosses, which be depicted on the walls of the church.... Lastly, he [the bishop] anointeth with chrism the twelve crosses depicted on the wall."—Durandus On Symbolism, ed. Neale and Webb, p. 115.
In the Pontifical, De Ecclesiæ Dedicatione, the rubric directs,—
"Item, depingantur in parietibus Ecclesiæ intrinsecùs per circuitum duodecim cruces, circa decem palmos super terram, videlicet tres pro quolibet, ex quatuor parietibus. Et ad caput cujuslibet crucis figatur unus clavus, cui affigatur una candela unius unciæ."