295. _Spectacles, Inscription on a Pair of._--Will you oblige me by inserting, as soon as possible, the following curious inscription round the rim of a pair of spectacles found in a stone coffin in Ombersley Church, Worcestershire, some years since, when the old church was being pulled down. It is as follows:--
"JOHERHARD MAY: SEEL ERB. PETER CONRAD. WIEGEL."
This occurs on each rim, and I should be glad of an explanation of the words.
296 _Campbell._--Can any of your readers tell me what he supposes Campbell to mean when he makes the sister, in delivering her curse on her brother, say--
"Go where the havoc of your kerne Shall float as high as mountain fern!"
Does havoc float? Does mountain fern float? What is the effect of either floating _high_? The lines are in "The Flower of Love lies Bleeding."
Also can any one say who or what this is?
"Fly, like the moon-eyed herald of dismay Chac'd on his night-steed by the star of day!"
The lines are near the end of _The Pleasures of Hope_.
297. _Family of Cordeux._--What is the origin of the name? When was it introduced into England? What are the armorial bearings of the family? What family or families bear gu. three stags' heads, on a chief arg. two griffins' heads erased: Crest, a griffin's head erased? Any information of the Cordeux family more than fifty years ago will confer an obligation on the querist.
298. _Panelling Inscription._--I have recently discovered, in my investigations for the _History and Antiquities of South Lynn_, an old building in this town which bears the date 1605 on one of its gables; and in the course of my peregrinations through, I find some old panelling with the date 1676, and the following inscription in old English (large) characters:
"As nothinge is so absolutly blest But chance may crosse, and make it seeming ill, So nothinge cane a man so much molest, But God may chang, and seeing good he will."
It has been suggested to me that these lines form a quotation from some of our English poets; if so, of whom? for it is of great importance to me to know, as it will tend considerably to connect the date with the building; and if the lines can be traced to a writer of the period, it will establish what I require very much, and assist me in my researches.