W. D—n.
Suem.—Allow me to suggest to your correspondents C. W. G. (Vol. iii., p. 7.) and Δ. (Vol. iii., p. 75.), that suem is probably a form of the A.-S. word seam, a horse-load, and generally a burden. For cognates, see Bosworth's A.-S. Dict.
I may add, that the word is written swun in a charter of Edward the Confessor, printed by Hickes in his Thesaurus, vol. i. p. 159., as follows:
"—ic ann
ðridde treow.
ðridde swun of ævesan ðæs nextan wudes ðe liþ to kyngesbyrig," &c.
Which Hickes thus renders:
"Dono tertiam quamque arborem, et tertiam quamque sarcinam jumentariam fructuum, qui nascuntur in sylva proxime ad kyngesbyrig sita," &c.
R. M. W.
Sir George Downing (Vol. iii., p. 69.).—The following extract of a letter in Cartes' Letters, ii. 319., confirms the accuracy of the memorandum as to Sir G. Downing's parentage, sent you by J. P. C. The letter is from T. Howard to Charles II., written April 5, 1660, on the eve of the Restoration. Downing had offered to Howard to serve the King,—
"alleging to be engaged in a contrary party by his father, who was banished into New England, where he was brought up, and had sucked in principles that since his reason had made him see were erroneous."
CH.