_Master of Methuen--Ruthven and Gowrie Families._--Colonel Stepney
Cowell is desirous of inquiring who was the Master of Methuen, who fell
at the Battle of Pinkey, and whose name appears in the battle roll as
killed?
Was he married, and did he leave a daughter? He is presumed to have been
the son of Lord Methuen by Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII.
Who was the wife of Patrick Ruthven, youngest son of William, first Earl
of Gowrie, and where was he married? Any notices of the Gowrie and
Ruthven family will be acceptable.
Brooke's Club, St. James's Street, Feb. 18. 1850.
"_The Female Captive: a Narrative of Facts which happened in Barbary in
the Year 1756. Written by herself."_ 2 vols. 12 mo. Lond. 1769.--Sir
William Musgrave has written this note in the copy which is now in the
library of the British Museum:--
"This is a true story. The lady's maiden name was Marsh. She
married Mr. Crisp, as related in the narrative; but he, having
failed in business, went to India, when she remained with her
father, then Agent Victualler, at Chatham, during which she
wrote and published these little volumes. On her husband's
success in India, she went thither to him.
"The book, having, as it is said, been bought up by the lady's
friends, is become very scarce."
Can any of your readers furnish a further account of this lady?
_Parliamentary Writs._--It is stated in Duncumb's _History of
Herefordshire_, 1. 154. that "the writs, indentures, and returns, from
17 Edw. IV. to 1 Edw. VI., are all lost throughout England, except one
imperfect bundle, 33rd Hen. VIII." This book was published in 1803. Have
the researches since that time in the Record Offices supplied this
hiatus; and if so, in which department of it are these documents to be
found?
W.H.C.
Temple.
_Portraits in the British Museum._--I have often wished to inquire, but
knew not where till your publication met my notice, as to the portraits
in the British Museum, which are at present hung so high above beasts
and birds, and everything else, that it requires better eyes than most
people possess to discern their features. I should suppose {306} that if
they were not originals and of value, they would not have been lodged in
the Museum, and if they are, why not appropriate a room to them, where
they might be seen to advantage, by those who take pleasure in such
representations of the celebrated persons of former days? Any
information on this subject will be gratefully received.