It is painful to see party spirit lead aside so learned and estimable a man as Dr. Wordsworth, and induce him to convert a ridiculous report into a grave and indisputable matter of fact. The more we know, the greater is our reverence for accuracy, truthfulness, and candour; and the older we grow in years and wisdom, the more we estimate that glorious motto—Audi alteram partem.
What are our ordinary histories of the Reformation from Burnet to Cobbett but so many caricatures? Would that there were more Maitlands in the English Church, and more Pascals and Pugins in the Roman!
Let me take this occasion to recommend to the particular attention of all candid inquirers a little brochure, by the noble-minded writer last named, entitled An Earnest Address on the Establishment of the Hierarchy, by A. Welby Pugin: Lond. Dolman, 1851. And let me here inquire whether this lamented writer completed his New View of an Old Subject; or, the English Schism impartially Considered, which he advertised as in preparation?
I should mention, perhaps, that Sir Roger Twisden's book was reprinted in 1847: I have, however, met with the original edition only.
DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY.—SLAVERY IN ENGLAND.
Having come across an old Daily Post of Thursday, August 4, 1720, I send you the following cuttings from it, which perhaps you may think worth insertion:
"Hague, August 9.
"It was on the 5th that the first of our East-India ships appear'd off of the Texel, four of the ships came to an anchor that evening, nine others kept out at sea till day-light, and came up with the flood the next morning, and four more came in this afternoon; but as they belong to the Chambers of Zealand, and other towns, its thought they will stand away for the Maese. This fleet is very rich, and including the single ship which arriv'd about a fortnight since, and one still expected, are valued at near seven millions of guilders prime cost in the Indies, not reckoning the freight or value at the sale, which may be suppos'd to make treble that sum."
"We have an account from Flanders, that two ships more are come in to Ostend for the new East India Company there; it is said, these ships touch no where after they quit the coast of Malabar till they come upon the coast of Guinea, where they put in for fresh water; and as for those which come from China, they water on the bank of the Island of Ceylon, and again on the east shore of Madagascar; but that none of them touch either at the Cape de bon Esperance, or at St. Helena, not caring to venture falling into the hands of any of the Dutch or other nations trading to the east. These ships they say are exceedingly rich, and the captains confirm the account of the treaty which one of their former captains made with the Great Mogul, for the settling a factory on his dominions, and that with very advantageous conditions; what the particulars may be we yet know not."
"Went away the 22d of July last, from the house of William Webb in Limehouse Hole, a negro man, about twenty years old, call'd Dick, yellow complection, wool hair, about five foot six inches high, having on his right breast the word Hare burnt. Whoever brings him to the said Mr. Webb's shall have half a guinea reward, and reasonable charges."
James Graves.
Kilkenny.