“That he had not been unmindful in removing that obstacle which hindered the full fruition of their contentments; that he had endeavoured one expedient already which had failed, but he would lay another which he doubted not would hit more sure.”

This letter the Lady Sheffield accidentally dropped from her pocket; and being picked up and given to the Lord Sheffield by his sister Holles, he read it with anger and amazement.  That night he parted beds, and the next day houses; meditating in what manner he might take honourable and just revenge.  Having resolved, he posted up to London to effect it; but the discovery had preceded him to the knowledge of Leicester, who finding a necessity to be quick, bribed an Italian physician ("whose name,” says Holles, “I have forgotten”) in whom Lord Sheffield had great confidence, to poison him, which was immediately effected after his arrival in London.  Leicester, after cohabiting with the Lady Sheffield for some time, married the widow of the Earl of Essex, who, it is thought, says Holles, “served him in his own kind, every way.”

In the suit afterwards instituted by Sir Robert Dudley, with the view of establishing his legitimacy, the Lady Sheffield was examined, and swore {303} to a private marriage with the Earl of Leicester, but that she had been prevailed on, by threats and pecuniary largesses, to deny the marriage, as Queen Elizabeth was desirous that Lord Leicester should marry the widow of the Earl of Essex.

One curious circumstance arises out of the revival of these dark doings.  Are the particular drugs employed by Leicester’s Italian physician “in removing obstacles” now known and in operation?  By a remarkable coincidence, in a case of supposed poisoning at Cheltenham, some time since, the intended victim escaped with the loss of his hair and his nails.

H.K.S.C.

What is the correct Prefix of Mayors? (Vol. i., p. 380.)—­In Leicester the usage has always been to designate the chief magistrate “The worshipful the Mayor,” which, I believe, is the style used in boroughs.  In cities, and places specially privileged, “Right worshipful” are the terms employed.

JAYTEE.

Marks of Cadency (Vol. ii., p. 248.).—­The label of the Prince of Wales has, from the time of Edward III. up to the present time, been of three points argent, and not charged.

F.E.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS.

NOTES ON BOOKS, SALES, CATALOGUES, ETC.

Although we do not usually record in our columns the losses which literature sustains from time to time, we cannot permit the death of Thomas Amyot, the learned Director of the Camden Society, and for so many years the Treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries, to pass without rendering our grateful tribute to the memory of one of the most intelligent and kindest-hearted men that ever breathed; from whom we, in common with so many others, when entering on our literary career, received the most friendly assistance, and the most encouraging sympathy.