* * * * *
Replies to Minor Queries.
_Vandyke in America_ (Vol. viii., p. 182.).--I would take the liberty of
asking MR. BALCH of Philadelphia whom he means by Col. Hill and Col. Byrd,
"worthies famous in English history, and whose portraits by Vandyke are now
on the James River?" I know of no Col. Hill or Byrd whom Vandyke could
possibly have painted. I should also like to know what proof there is that
the pictures, whomsoever they represent, are by _Vandyke_. MR. BALCH says
that he favours us with this information "_in answer to the query_" (Vol.
vii., p. 38.); but I beg leave to observe that it is by no means "in answer
to the query," which was about an _engraved_ portrait and not _picture_,
and {229} his thus bringing in the Vandykes _à propos de bottes_ makes me a
little curious about their authenticity.