92 
The pamphlet is entitled :— 
“ Animadversions, by way of Answer to a Sermon preached by 
Dr. Thomas Kenne, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells; in the Cathedral 
Church of Bath, on Ascension Day last, being the fifth day of May, 
1687. With allowance.” 
Ken’s sermon here alluded to was, like the other, never printed, 
but it will be observed that this one was preached on Ascension 
Day, in May, whilst the healing and the sermon on the Sunday 
following it occurred in September. The author of the pamphlet 
was a Jesuit, one John Reed, who attended the Abbey on 
purpose to hear Ken, and then, with the assistance of others, 
put together his work, in which, says the Athene Oroniensis, was 
never so much ignorance and impudence in so small a space. 
But one full year after this there was published :— 
“ News from Bath, being a true and perfect Relation of the great 
and splendid Procession, and joyful Transactions there, on the 11th 
day of April, being the Coronation-day of their most Sacred Majesties 
William and Mary, King and Queen of England, Scotland, France, 
and Ireland.” 
Bath was also gaily singing a ballad on the same subject ; 
setting out :— 
“The Loyalty and Glory of the City of Bath, being a True and 
Perfect Relation of the Wonderful Ceremony and Transactions that 
were lately performed there.” 
William declined to touch, but on being urged it is supposed 
that he did so on one occasion, when, it is told, he so far 
improved the “office” as to pray not only that the man may be 
made whole but that he may have also more sense. 
The practice was revived by Anne, as being a political claim 
to her position by right divine; she was the last sovereign who 
troubled to use it. Accompanied by his.Royal Highness (i.e., 
Prince George of Denmark) the Queen visited Bath in 1702, 
arriving on the 29th of August, about eight o'clock in the 
evening, from Badminton and Oxford. On Lansdown she was 
met by the Sheriff and his men, and at Hide Park, about a mile 
