Now comes the interesting picture in connexion with Otway and his play. This youth, _Francis_ and his elder brother, the Lord Edward Russell, are represented in _small_ full-lengths, in two paintings; and so alike, as scarcely to be distinguished one from the other; both dressed in white, close jackets, and black and gold cloaks, and black bonnets. The date by Lord Edward is aet. 22, 1573. He is represented grasping in one hand some snakes with this motto, _Fides homini, serpentibus fraus_; and in the back ground he is placed standing in a labyrinth, above which is inscribed, _Fata viam invenient_. This young nobleman died before his father. His brother _Francis_ has his accompaniments not less singular. A lady, seemingly in distress, is represented sitting in the back ground, surrounded with snakes, a dragon, crocodile, and cock. At a distance are the sea and a ship under full sail. He, by the attendants, was, perhaps, the Polydore of the history. Edward seems by his motto, _Fides homini, serpentibus fraus_, to have been the Castalio, conscious of his own integrity, and indignant at his brother's perfidy. The ship probably alludes to the desertion of the lady. If it conveyed Francis to Scotland, it was to his punishment, for he fell on July 27, 1585, in a border affray, the day before his father's death. There, make what you like of this. This is how matters stand at the Abbey; but I cannot see how this remarkable picture connects itself with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. I pause for elucidation. BEPPO. * * * * * ON THE CONSTANCY OF WOMAN. _(For the Mirror.)_ True love has no reserves--LANSDOWNE.