Bridewater, Somerset.--Two arches, with foliations, over effigies between
them, a door leading, down to a crypt. The effigies are too much decayed to
enable a decided opinion to be formed as to sex or station. In the north
wall of north transept. Date probably between 1270 and 1300.

St. Stephen's, Vienna.--A fine tomb, with canopy and effigy, by the side of
the south door of the nave. Probably of the 14th century.

I have been disposed to think that the most {38} probable motive which may
have led to tombs and effigies, sometimes of an elaborate and costly
character, being placed in such exposed positions, was the desire of
obtaining the prayers of the passers-by for the soul of the deceased. It is
worth notice, that the usage seems in England to have been very much
limited to the 13th, or early part of the 14th century. I should, however,
be very glad if any one who may possess information bearing on the subject
would communicate it.

N.

* * * * *

MINOR QUERIES.

_Meaning of Venwell or Venville._--Will you allow me to make the following
Query as to the custom of "Ven_well_" or "Ven_ville_"? Risdon, in his
_Survey of Devon_, states it to be a right enjoyed by the tenants of land
adjoining to Dartmoor of pasturage and cutting turf within the limits of
the forest. He calls it "Fenfield, antiently Fengfield," but makes no
allusion to the etymology of the word, or to the origin of the custom. Some