"Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be, As halcyons brooding on a winter's sea." "The halcyon," says Willsford, in his _Nature's Secrets_, p. 134., "at the time of breeding, which is about fourteen days before the winter solstice, foreshews a quiet and tranquil time, as it is observed about the coast of Sicily, from whence the proverb is transported, the halcyon days."] * * * * * Replies. DOGS IN MONUMENTAL BRASSES. (Vol. ix., p. 126.) I may refer MR. B. H. ALFORD to the Oxford _Manual of Monumental Brasses_, p. 56., for an answer to his Query: "Knights have no peculiar devices besides their arms, unless we are to consider the lions and dogs beneath their feet as emblematical of the virtues of courage, generosity, and fidelity, indispensable to their profession. One or two dogs are often at the feet of the lady. They are probably intended for some favourite animal, as the name is occasionally inscribed," &c. Neither dog nor lion occurs at the feet of the following knights represented on brasses prior to 1460: "c. 1450. Sir John Peryent, Jun., Digswell, Herts. (engd. Boutell.) 1455. John Daundelyon, Esq., Margate. (ditto.) c. 1360. William de Aldeburgh, Aldborough, Yorkshire. (engd. _Manual_.) c. 1380. Sir Edward Cerue, Draycot Cerue, Wiltshire. (engd. Boutell.) 1413. c. 1420. John Cressy, Esq., Dodford, Northants. (ditto.) 1445. Thomas de St. Quintin, Esq., Harpham, Yorkshire. (ditto.)" Whilst a dog is seen in the following: "1462. Sir Thomas Grene, Green's Norton, Northants. (ditto.) 1510. John Leventhorpe, Esq., St. Helen's, Bishopsgate. (_Manual._) 1471. Wife of Thomas Colte, Esq., Roydon, Essex. c. 1480. Brass at Grendon, Northants. c. 1485. Brass, Latton, Essex. 1501. Robert Baynard, Esq., Laycock, Wilts." These examples are described or engraved in the works of the Rev. C. Boutell, or in the Oxford _Manual_, and I have little doubt that my own collection of rubbings (if I had leisure to examine it) would supply other examples under both of these sections. W. SPARROW SIMPSON.