Perhaps the old nobleman misunderstood the duchess-dowager when she explained the picture to him; or perhaps her grace did not choose to be quite so communicate as she could have been, and, therefore, fixed the sad event upon the gay Charley Brandon, in whose constellation of gay doings it would, indeed, be a romantic diamond of the first water.

Every body who knows the gallery at Woburn, must remember the remarkable picture alluded to.  There is in the same apartment a very fine whole-length of Charles Brandon; but in no way can I see is it connected with the work which has furnished this tragic anecdote.  At some distance from Brandon’s portrait appears the first Francis, Earl of Bedford, with a long white beard, and furred robe, and George, pendant,—­an illustrious personage of this house, who discharged several great offices in the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth.  Such was his hospitality, that Elizabeth used good-humouredly to say, “Go to, Frank, go to; it is you make all the beggars.”  He died, aged 58, on the 28th of July, 1585, 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.

* * * * *

ON THE CONSTANCY OF WOMAN.

(For the Mirror.)

True love has no reserves—­LANSDOWNE.