the day after his third son, _Francis_, was slain, happily unapprized of
the misfortune.

Now comes the interesting picture in connexion with Otway and his play.
This youth, _Francis_ and his elder brother, the Lord Edward Russell,
are represented in _small_ full-lengths, in two paintings; and so alike,
as scarcely to be distinguished one from the other; both dressed in
white, close jackets, and black and gold cloaks, and black bonnets. The
date by Lord Edward is aet. 22, 1573. He is represented grasping in one
hand some snakes with this motto, _Fides homini, serpentibus fraus_; and
in the back ground he is placed standing in a labyrinth, above which is
inscribed, _Fata viam invenient_. This young nobleman died before his
father. His brother _Francis_ has his accompaniments not less singular.
A lady, seemingly in distress, is represented sitting in the back
ground, surrounded with snakes, a dragon, crocodile, and cock. At a
distance are the sea and a ship under full sail. He, by the attendants,
was, perhaps, the Polydore of the history. Edward seems by his motto,
_Fides homini, serpentibus fraus_, to have been the Castalio, conscious
of his own integrity, and indignant at his brother's perfidy. The ship
probably alludes to the desertion of the lady. If it conveyed Francis to
Scotland, it was to his punishment, for he fell on July 27, 1585, in a
border affray, the day before his father's death.

There, make what you like of this. This is how matters stand at the
Abbey; but I cannot see how this remarkable picture connects itself with
Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. I pause for elucidation.

BEPPO.

* * * * *