illustrations of the saying "_Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat_,"
which have been given, may be added the following from the _Fragments of
Constantinus Manasses_ (edited with _Nicet. Eugen_., by Boissonade.
Paris, 1819), book viii. line 40.:--

[Greek: "Ho gar theos aptomenos anthropou dianoias
Haenika to dusdaimoni kirnaesi penthous poma,
Ouden pollakis sugchorei bouleusasthai sumpheron."]

J.E.B. MAYOR.

Marlborough College.


_Countess of Desmond_ (Vol. ii., pp. 153. 186.).--R. is referred to
Smith's _History of Cork_, and _European Magazine_, vol. viii., for
particulars respecting the Countess of Desmond. They show her picture at
Knowle House, Kent, or Penshurst (I forget which); and tell the story of
the fall from the cherry (or plum) tree, adding that she cut three sets
of teeth!

WEDSECNARF.


_Confession_ (Vol. ii., p. 296.).--The name asked for by U.J.B. of the
Catholic priest, who, sooner than break the seal of confession, suffered
death, is John of Nepomuc, Canon of Prague. By order of the Emperor
Wenceslas, he was thrown off a bridge into the Muldaw, because he would
not tell that profligate prince the confession of his religious empress.
This holy man is honoured as St. John Nepomucen on the 16th of May, in