“The writer hereof remembers, that between fifty and sixty years ago, a man who was executed at Lincoln, was brought to Swine, and buried on the north side of the church, as the proper place in which to bury a felon.”

I have heard it stated by several inhabitants of the parish, that it is only within a few years that burials began to be made irrespectively on the north side.  Whilst speaking of things in connection with this church, I may mention for the {75} interest of antiquaries, that only a short time ago, the sexton discovered a very curious fresco of the Virgin on one of the pillars in the north aisle.  There is an inscription beneath the figure, but so very indistinct, as not to admit of being deciphered.

R.W.E.

Hull.

Wisby (Vol. ii., p. 444.).—­

    “Wisby was fortified about 1200 against its country neighbours; and
    King Magnus, 1288, quieted another civil war, and allowed the citizens
    to restore their fallen walls.”—­Olaus Magnus, ii. 24.

“It was destroyed in 1361 (Koch) by Walderna, King of Denmark, who, taking advantage of the discords in Sweden, and having flattered the King Magnus till he made him a mere tool of his own, conquered or destroyed some valuable parts of the Swedish dominions, and among the rest Gothland.”—­Johannes Magnus, Rex Suev., xxi. 6.

and in 7.: 

    “... ob direptum insigne emporium Vis becense.”

    “As, therefore, it was not an individual event, probably it had not any
    individual cause, and that the pane of glass story is not
    true.”—­Olaus Magnus, x. 16

The same Olaus (ii. 24.) says, that pride and discord were its ruin; that its inhabitants scattered into the continental cities; and that in his time, 1545, there were splendid ruins, iron doors, brass or copper windows, once gilt or silvered.

C.B.

Singing of Swans (Vol. ii., p. 475.).—­If your correspondent T.J. will turn to Erman’s Travels in Siberia translated by Cooley, vol. ii. p. 43., he will find that the singing of swans is by no means so groundless a notion as Bp.  Percy supposed. Erman says the notes of the Cygnus Olor are most beautifully clear and loud—­“and that this bird, when wounded, pours forth its last breath in such notes, is now known for certain.”  There is more also to the same purpose.

A.C.M.

Dacre Monument at Herstmonceux (Vol. ii., p. 478.).—­In answer to part of the third Query of your correspondent E.V., I beg to inform him that sable, a cross potent or, is the coat of Alleyn.  Sable, a cross patonce or, belongs to Lascelles.  Argent a fesse gules belongs to the Solers family.  And barry of six argent and gules, with a canton ermine, is the coat of Apseley of Sussex.

H.C.K.