instead of
being a vulgar, low-bred puritanical churl, was in fact a gentleman of birth and
consideration, distinguished for his skill in the arts of music and
horticulture, as also in languages. In so far, therefore, the Anthony Foster of
the romance has nothing but the name in common with the real individual. But
notwithstanding the charity, benevolence, and religious faith imputed by the
monument of grey marble to its tenant, tradition, as well as secret history,
name him as the active agent in the death of the Countess; and it is added, that
from being a jovial and convivial gallant, as we may infer from some expressions
in the epitaph, he sunk, after the fatal deed, into a man of gloomy and retired
habits, whose looks and manners indicated that he suffered under the pressure of
some atrocious secret.
The name of Lambourne is still known in the vicinity, and it is said some of the
clan partake the habits, as well as name, of the Michael Lambourne of the
romance. A man of this name lately murdered his wife, outdoing Michael in this
respect, who only was concerned in the murder of the wife of another man.
I have only to add, that the jolly Black Bear has been restored to his
predominance over bowl and bottle, in the village of Cumnor.
 
3 Two headlands on the Cornish coast. The expressions are proverbial.
 
4 This verse is the commencement of the ballad already quoted, as what suggested
the novel.
 
5 The Leicester cognisance was the ancient device adopted by his father, when
Earl of Warwick, the bear and ragged staff.
 
6 Sir Francis Drake, Morgan, and many a bold Buccanier of those days, were, in
fact, little better than pirates.
 
7 This verse, or something similar, occurs in a long ballad, or poem, on Flodden
Field, reprinted by the late Henry Weber.
 
8 This verse of an old song actually occurs in an old play, where the singer
boasts -
 
»Courteously I can both counter and knack
Of Martin Swart and all his merry men.«
 
9 »Give good words.« - Slang dialect.
10 The great defeat, given by Alfred to the Danish invaders, is said, by Mr.
Gough, to have taken place near Ashdown, in Berkshire. »The burial place of
Baereg, the Danish chief, who was slain in this fight, is distinguished by a
parcel of stones, less than a mile from the hill, set on edge, enclosing a piece
of ground somewhat raised. On the east side of the southern extremity stand