C.
Miss or Mistress (Vol. iv., p. 6.).
—The indiscriminate use of "Miss" and "Mrs." to unmarried ladies is often very perplexing. The "Mrs." was not, as M. S. supposes, always accompanied by the Christian name for unmarried ladies; and the custom lasted at least as late as the reign of George II. Pope in his letters (about 1719) mentions "Mrs. Lepel" and "Mrs. Bellenden," maids of honour. The examples are innumerable, but the latest instance I remember is the Duchess of Queensbury addressing Patty Blount in 1756 as "Mrs. Blount;" though, no doubt, Patty was, by that time, entitled to what is called brevet rank.
C.
Book Plates (Vol. iii., p. 495.; Vol. iv., p. 46.).
—MR. PARSONS, I observe, confines his inquiry to English book plates. On that point I cannot at present offer him any information but I can to a certain extent confirm his views with regard to the use of them in foreign countries, having now before me the plate (a woodcut) of Erhardus à Muckhenthall—probably in modern German, Erhardt von Muckenthal—dated 1634. It consists of his armorial bearings, surmounted by a helmet, &c., apparently indicative of nobility; but the tinctures not being expressed, I cannot give the blazon. The charge on his shield seems to be intended for a lamb salient.
F. S. Q.
In the Surrenden Collection there are several loose impressions of Sir Edward Dering's book plate, bearing date 1630. It is a very elaborate one, and of a size adapted only for a folio volume; one of them is now before me, with the date most clearly and distinctly marked.
L. B. L.