Of the descendant of Daniel De Foe, who lived in or adjoining Hungerford Market, your correspondent will also find mention in Wilson (vol. iii. p. 649.). In all probability there are many descendants of this great man now living in this country or abroad.
Your correspondent is under a mistake as to Robert Drury's Journal. The first edition of that work, which I have now before me, came out in 1729, and therefore could not have been made use of by De Foe in writing Robinson Crusoe, published ten years before. How far Drury's Journal is true or fictitious, and by whom it was written, are curious questions; but to attempt their solution would be out of place in this reply.
JAS. CROSSLEY.
Howard's Conquest of China (Vol. v., p. 225.).
—Is J. MT. satisfied that the scene written by the Earl of Rochester does not form part of Elkanah Settle's play, The Conquest of China by the Tartars (1676, 4to.)? It is also written in rhyme; and Rochester was, as is well known, a patron of Settle. If J. MT. have not referred to it, it may be worth while to do so, or to give a few lines from the scene, to afford an opportunity of ascertaining the point.
JAS. CROSSLEY.
Buro, Berto, Beriora (Vol. v., p. 395.).
—A satisfactory explanation of these three words is much to be desired, as they have puzzled the antiquary, the linguist, and the classical scholar for nearly forty years. They remind me of a similar case I met with in my reading not long ago. The word Ilpadelt, painted on the windows of the church of the Celestines at Marconcies, was the puzzle of all that read it, till one day a Turk, who had received baptism, and was in the suite of Francis I., came to Marconcies in the year 1523, and discovered that the word was Syriac, and that it meant "God is my hope;" which explanation was registered in the abbey library. These words had been the motto of John de Montaign, who had founded the abbey, and enriched it with many valuable treasures, according to a vow he had made during the sickness of Charles VI.
However, if it will not disconcert the learned, I will, audax omnia perpati, venture upon a conjecture as to the meaning of these hidden words. Ought not the first letters, thought to be Bu, in reality to be read Pro? in which case the legend will be Pro Roberti Beri ora, i.e. pray for Robert Berry; and the ring will be a mourning ring.
While on this subject, I may add that the inscribed rings, commonly called talismanic or cabalistic rings, are improperly so designated. The Latin term is much more appropriate, "annuli vertuosi." Perhaps mystical might be a suitable name.