Learned Man referred to by Rogers.—Rogers, in his work on the Thirty-nine Articles, published 1607, writes as follows:—
"A certain learned man (speaking of the religion here then professed, and writing unto the lords of our late queen's council) doth say 'He' (meaning the papist his adversary, who charged our church with discord, and disagreements about matters of religion), 'he ought' (saith he) 'if he had been able, to have brought out the public confession and articles of faith, agreed in K. Edward's time; and have showed any in England, that, professing the gospel, dissenteth from the same.'"
I shall be much obliged to any of the readers of "N. & Q." who can inform me who was this "certain learned man."
C. C. C. C.
Corp. Chr. Coll., Camb.
Mormonism and Spalding's Romance.—The extraordinary spread of Mormonism seems to stamp it as likely to prove a kind of second Mahometanism in the world's history. Under these circumstances the origin of the Book of Mormon is of course a literary curiosity. In a clever pamphlet entitled Mormonism Exposed, by John Bowes (E. Ward, 54. Paternoster Row, London), at pp. 30, 31. an account of the history of the book of Mormon is given. Mr. Bowes quotes from Mormonism Unveiled, by E. D. Hoare, to the effect that a Mr. "John Spalding" affirms that his (now deceased) brother "Solomon Spalding" had written "an historical romance of the first settlers in America, endeavoring to show that the American Indians are the descendants of Jews, or the lost tribes. It gave a detailed account of their journey from Jerusalem, by land and sea, till they arrived in America, under the command of Nephi and Lehi; he also mentions the Lamanites." Mr. J. Spalding, it is said, on reading the Book of Mormon, "to his great surprise," found "nearly the same historical matter, names, &c., as they were in his brother's writings;" and further says "according to the best of my recollection and belief, it is the same as my brother Solomon wrote, with the exception of the religious matter." The latter is obviously taken from the Bible, with alterations and additions ad libitum.
Can any of your readers tell whether this romance of Solomon Spalding's was ever published; or whether it is still in existence, and accessible for reference, &c.?
C. H. D.
Carrs or Calves.—In 1 Esdras v. 55. there occurs the word carrs. This is found in all copies of the Bible to which I have access, except one edited in the last century by a Mr. Butley, of Ch. Ch. Oxon, where calves is read, and a note given from Josephus apparently in support of it. I should be glad to know whether there is any authority in the original for this alteration.