T. G. S.
Edinburgh.
Birthplace of General Monk (Vol. viii., p. 316.).—I regret to find I am in error in saying that Lysons positively assigns Landcross as Monk's birthplace in the Magna Britannia.
The mistake is of slight import as respects the Query, but accuracy in citing authorities is at least desirable, and ought (in common justice) to be ever most scrupulously regarded.
"General Monk appears to have been a native of this village; he was baptised at Lancras, December 11, 1608," is, I find, the actual passage, the substance of which (writing in Germany, far from any means of reference), at the time believed I was more correctly quoting.
F. Kyffin Lenthall.
Reform Club.
Books chained to Desks in Churches (Vol. viii., pp. 93. 273.).—In the library of St. Walburg's Church at Zutphen, consisting chiefly of Bibles and other Latin works, the books are fastened to the desks by iron chains. This was done, it is said, to prevent the Evil One from stealing them, a crime of which he had been repeatedly guilty. The proof of this is found in the stone-floor, where his foot-marks are impressed, and still show the direction of his march: they also teach us the important fact, that the feet of his tenebrious majesty are very like those of a large dog, and do not, as is generally supposed, resemble those of a horse.—From the Navorscher.
L. v. H.
In the chancel of Leyland Church, Lancashire, are four folio books chained to a window seat which makes a sloping desk for them: they are Foxe's Martyrs and Jewell's Apology, both in black-letter, title-pages torn, and much worn; and a Preservative against Popery, in 2 vols., dated 1738.