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170 return of it." I now perceive I had more reason than I was then aware of, when I said in my Dissertation, that a falsehood about time was the truest and surest method of detecting impostures. And Mr B. I hope, will allow that a chronological argument will be a good proof against his bookseller, though he will not admit it against his book. The bookseller, we see, is positive that I did not lend him the MS. "till after about nine months solicitation." And Mr B. himself repeats it that there was about nine months solicitation used to procure it: and in another place he affirms that the bookseller gave him liberty to assure the world that he was ready to justify it with his oath, when it should be duly required of him. Now, if instead of these nine months, I make it appear beyond contradiction, that from my very first admission to the office of Library-keeper, to the time that the bookseller not only had, but returned the MS., there was but one single month; I humbly conceive, the world will be satisfied that not the word only, but the very oath of this witness is little to be regarded.

The Royal Patent, which constitutes me Keeper of