With a howdie crowdie," &c.
Of the rest of the ballad I only remember enough to be able to say that it had little or no resemblance to the version in your last Number.
C.
William of Wykeham (Vol. ii., p. 89.).—1. I believe that there is no better life of this prelate than that by Bishop Lowth.
2. The public records published since he wrote give several further particulars of Wykeham's early career, but a proper notice of them would be too extended for your columns.
3. When W.H.C. recollects that New College, Oxford, the first of the works he names, was not commenced till 1380, and that Wykeham had then enjoyed the revenues of his rich bishopric for nearly fourteen years, and had previously been in possession of many valuable preferments, both lay and ecclesiastical, for fourteen years more, he will find his third question sufficiently answered, and cease to wonder at the accumulation of that wealth which was applied with wise and munificent liberality to such noble and useful objects.
I am not able to answer W.H.C.'s 4th and 5th questions.
[Greek: Phi.]
Execution of Charles I. (Vol. ii., p. 72.).—The late Mr. Rodd had collected several interesting papers on this subject; and from his well-known acquaintance with all matters relating to English history, they are no doubt valuable. Of course they exist. He offered them to the writer of this note, on condition that he would prosecute the inquiry. Other engagements prevented his availng himself of this liberal offer.
J.M.