—Can any of your correspondents inform me whether Sir Edward Bagshaw, of Finglas, near Dublin, who settled in Ireland about the commencement of the seventeenth century, left other children besides two daughters; one of whom married William, eldest son of Sir William Ryves, and by him had issue Bagshaw, William, Thomas, and Francis Ryves, together with a daughter married to a Captain Burrowes? I also wish to ascertain whether Castle Bagshaw, co. Cavan, the seat of the late Sir William Burroughs, derives its name from this branch of the family of Bagshaw. Any information, genealogical or historical, concerning the above Sir Edward Bagshaw, would be acceptable.
W. B.
Cambridge.
[This statement does not appear quite correct. Thomas Ryves, the second son of William, is said to have married Jane, daughter of Captain Burrows. See Hutchins's Dorset, vol. iii. p. 366., ped. of Ryves.]
Couched, to couch.
—What is the earliest example of the use of this word in the sense of "to embody," thus: "he couched his thoughts in excellent language?" Johnson cites Dryden and Atterbury as authorities for the word, which, me judice, ought to be banished from the English dictionary, since we have several older and more expressive terms of synonymous import.
MARK ANTONY LOWER.
[In Baret's Alvearie (1580) we find the meanings of the word couch, "The knitting and couching of wordes in talke—Sermonis compositio.—Quintil. To joine and couch—componere et coagmentare verba.—Cic." In Cotgrave, "mettre par escrit" is explained, to "couch in writing:" and in Phillips' World of Words, couch is defined "to comprehend, or comprise." These are somewhat analogous uses of the word.]
Marriage of Mrs. Claypole.
—What was the date of the marriage of Oliver Cromwell's daughter with Mr. Claypole? Any one giving a Note in reply to this Query, will much oblige