Among other matters, I was peculiarly desirous of disabusing him of the current notion of his people, that our gospels are spurious narratives of late date.

I found great difficulty of expression; but the man listened to me with much attention, and I was encouraged to exert myself.

He waited patiently till I had done, and then spoke to the following effect: "I will tell you, sir, how the case stands.

God has given to you English a great many good gifts.

You make fine ships, and sharp penknives, and good cloth and cottons; and you have rich nobles and brave soldiers; and you write and print many learned books: (dictionaries and grammars:) all this is of God.