Francis Robert Davies.
The "Fusion."—Is it generally known that there exists, between the two branches of the Bourbons, a much nearer relationship than that which arises from their common descent from Louis XIII.? The Duchess de Berri was niece to Louis-Philippe's queen: so that the Duc de Bordeaux and the Comte de Paris are second cousins.
E. H. A.
Queries.
LYRA'S COMMENTARY.
I possess a copy of the Textus biblie cū Glossa ordinaria Nicolai de lyra postilla Pauli Brugēsis Additiōibus Matthie Thoring Replicis, in 6 volumes folio, printed at Basle in the years 1506-8. The binding is of oak boards and calf leather, stamped with a very spirited design composed of foliated borders, surrounding, on the right cover, six impressions from a die three inches high by one and three quarters wide, consisting of a narrow border enclosing a human figure, who bears in his left hand a knotted staff as high as himself, while in the right he holds a bag or scrip containing many balls (perhaps stones or fruit), which hangs over his shoulder. Under the right arm he carries a sword, and on the wrist a wicker basket. The lower limbs of this strange being are clad in loose garments, like to a modern pair of trousers, with a large ragged hole on each knee. The feet are not seen, as he is behind a fence composed of interlaced branches of trees. To complete the picture, the head, which is much too large for the body, has no other covering but crisped hair.
On the left cover are four impressions of a die three inches high by two wide, on which are six animals whose kinds it is difficult to determine with certainty; the two upper possibly may be horses, the middle a bird and a monkey, the lower a lion and a dog. The animals are separated from each other by a running pattern composed of branches, leaves, and flowers, and are surrounded by a frame, on which is the following in black-letter:
"DEUS DET NOBIS SUAM PACEM
ET POST MORTEM UITAM ETERNAM."