-- 2n ~ 



disputes would never hâve appear'd in that history, and not he himself 

 drawn up that article and got it inserted. Now what jugdment should we 

 pass upon an historian who takes impliitely his account of things from 

 the most virulent ot a party concerned ? M"" Holden (1) is , a believe , still 

 living : and 1 dare say wiU not deny the fact. But this is not the only case of 

 this kind. M. Tipper , a roman catholic clergyman and grand-vicar in 

 London, had the adress and industry to insinuate himself so far into the 

 good grâces of M. Cart the hislonan that they lived together in the same 

 chambers in one of the innés of cart , at the time M. Cart was writing his 

 history of England ; to whom it is said that M. Tipper often suggested 

 things tending to the feame purpose. 



The constant behavour of our secular clergy on former occasions, raised 

 my suspicion on the passage of M. Hum's history concerning S. Dunstan 

 ant the bénédictin monks : a suspicion which , j own, is perhaps ground- 

 less : but I could account in no other way, for a man of M. Hume's péné- 

 tration and impartiality, falling into so gross a mistake. 



Excuse, dear sir, this tedious tryal I hâve put upon your patience ; I as- 

 sure you nothing but the affection 1 bear you , and the esteem I hâve for 

 your superior judgement, could hâve engaged me on so disagreable a 

 subject ; for I detest disputes. But the désire of making you conceive a 

 better and more just opinion of a body to which I belong, would make me 

 untertake any still more disagre'able task , so dear to me is your good 

 opinion and esteem. But whatever judgement you pass on this hastly per- 

 formance, j présume it will in no ways byass you against me ; for I déclare 

 thall am ready, when seeing stronger arguments, shall be brought on the 

 opposite side of the question, to recall what 1 hâve said ; forl do not think 

 myself so far prejudiced in faveur of the monks, as to be blind to their 

 facults. Of times I can see my own , among which I rekon the trespass 1 

 am making on the time , which you would hâve employed to much better 

 purpose , on more important affairs. But my judgement is over power'd by 

 the passionate désire I hâve of assuring you on ail occasions of the invio- 

 late attachment, esteem and sincerity with which I am and shall ever pro- 

 fess myself, Sir, Your affectionate and humble servant , 



D. WALRER. 

 Rome, junethe 5 nm. 



Nota. La lettre de dom Walker est d'une lecture assez difficile. On 

 voudra donc bien excuser les petites défectuosités que pourrait présenter 

 cette copie. 



(1) Ce supérieur du séminaire ang;lais h Paris était sans doute le neveu ou le petit- 

 neveu de Henri Holden , savant théologien réfugié , au(juel M. Tabaraud ;i consacré 

 un article dans le supplément de la Biographie universelle, t. LXVIII, 263. 



