_Emaciated Monumental Effigies_ (Vol. v., p. 247.).--The legend repeated
to me whilst viewing the tomb of John Baret, some few years since, is
somewhat different from that related by your correspondent BURIENSIS. A
portion of the roof over the tomb is elaborately diapered with stars of
lead gilt, collars of SS., and a monogram of the letters I.B., together
with the motto, "Grace me governe." (A specimen of the diaper is given
in Collings' _Gothic Ornaments_, 4to., London, 1848.) The sexton
informed me that the person commemorated by the emaciated figure had
undertaken to diaper the whole roof of the church in a manner similar to
the work above his tomb; but, on discovering that his life would be
insufficient for the task, was so affected that he starved himself to
death. I presume that Ba_n_t is a misprint for Ba_re_t, in p. 247. of
your present volume.
The tradition alluded to by your correspondent has been, I believe,
attached by some to the emaciated figure at St. Saviour's, Southwark. A
good example of this kind of memorial is found in the ante-chapel of St.
John's College Chapel, Cambridge.
What foundation is there for the account, that the superb roof of St.
Mary's, Bury St. Edmund's, was constructed in France, and put together
after it was brought to England?