Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/251

Rh frequent journeys to solicit for the MS. I had said in my former account, that a bookseller came to me in the name of the Editors: which is a word of more concession, than the pains he was at deserved. For to the best of my memory, he never asked me for the MS. but at his own shop, or as I casually met him. Neither can I call to mind, that either he or his apprentice came once to my lodgings or to the Library for't; till the time that he sent for't by my appointment, and received it.

I had said that I ordered him to tell the collator, not to lose any time, for I was shordy to go out of town for two months. Now this was to be denied by the bookseller, or else his whole deposition had signified nothing, for the blame would still lie at his own door. He resolutely affirms therefore, that no time was limited for the return of it. What can be done in this case? Here are two contrary affirmations; and the matter being done in private, neither of us have any witness. I might plead, as Aemilius Scaurus did against one Varius of Sucro. ''Varius Sucronensis ait. Aemilius Scaurus negat; utri creditis Quirites?'' I hope, upon any account, my credit will go further