Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/254

 rule with my predecessors to let no book go abroad without a Royal Warrant. And I durst not venture to transgress the rule at my very first entrance upon my office. If the gentleman would obtain an order in the usual method, I would wait upon him the first moment, and deliver the book.' I could have refused the MS. in this manner, with all the appearance of civility: but out of a particular desire of obliging the Editor, I ventured beyond my power, and lent the book privately without any order. I confess I have justly suffered for it since; and the very men I aimed to oblige, were my enemies, (as they give it out), only on that account. Had I kept myself firm to the rules of my office, without straining a point of courtesy beyond the bounds of my duty, all their calumnies had been avoided. But I hope I shall have caution enough for the future, to know persons a little better, before I put myself in their power.

I had said that I had no suspicion that the collation was not finished. In opposition to this the bookseller deposes that I called upon him for the book upon Saturday at noon; and stayed while he sent to the collator, and word was brought by the messenger,