PREMIER!-: LETTRE

— Somc timc in ihc ycar 1724' Francis de Voliaire boardcd a wlîile wiih a scarlct dycr nigh ihc [Tricnds']» School at Halffarthing', in tlic parish of Wandswonh, kept then by John Huwcidt^ , with whom I had scrvcd about half my time. Voltaire dcsircd to bc improvcd in the Hnglish tongue : and in discourse [with the master] chanced 10 fall on the subjcct of waterbaptism [which was treated between them], till, for wani of understanding eacliotlier, they were so set, they could proceed no further: when Vohaire inquired v.hether he had nevcr an ushcr [who] understood Latin. There was one; but as he was not of our profession, my master thought him not suitable, thereforc seiit for me into the parlour, and Voltaire rehearsed the Conférence, desiring, if he missed, my master would put him right — but he had not. Then he began with me : and as they had been engaged for some time, there was the less for me to advance. I then mentioned Paul's assertion in the lyth ver. I ch. I Cor. [For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel] which secmed so strange, that in a violent passion he said, I lied — which I put up paliently, till he, becoming cooler, desired to know why I would impose upon a stranger. I said I had not imposed at ail, but justly repeated tlie Apostle's words as they stood in our Bible. He replied, our Bible was falsely translated, and donc by heretics. I desired to know whether he would be set down by Beza or Castalio. He stylcd them also heretics : I answered, I did présume he did not conceive that Paul's own handwriting was extant : he replied he did not. I then queried what he ZLVuîd be set down bv : would he by the Greek ? Tothis he assented, and thereon I fetched niy Greek Testament, of Mattaire's édition in twelves, and referre J him thereto: at the sight of which he was as much surprised