Mr. Editor,--In the parish church in which I officiate are preserved
four ancient and curious alms-basins, of latten; They appear to be of
Flemish workmanship, and, from inventories of the church goods, made
at different times, we may gather that they were given for their
present use during the seventeenth century. They represent:--1. The
Martyrdom of St. Sebastian; 2. The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin;
3. The Temptation in Eden; and 4. The Spies bearing the Grapes. Around
each of these subjects is a legend in foreign characters, "DER.
INFRID. GEHWART." I have submitted this inscription to antiquaries
and German scholars in vain; it still remains a puzzle. It has been
suggested that it may have been only an arbitrary mark of the maker.
Is this probable? If not, will you, or one of your readers, give the
interpretation to