"To prevent the further growth of such disasters, he called
a Meeting of the Privy Councillors and Peers, who meet at
Guildhall," &c. The pronoun _he_ must relate to the Lord Mayor,
but the sentence is obscurely expressed.

[6] Vol. ii. pp. 259, 260.

* * * * *


OPINIONS OF WRITERS ON ENGLISH HISTORY, NO. 1.

"Oh, do not read history, for that I _know_ must be false."--SIR
ROBERT WALPOLE.

Sir,--I have, from time to time, made a few _notes_ on our historical
writers--rather I should say the conflicting opinions of critical
writers on their relative value, and the dependence to be placed on
them as historical guides. They are so opposite, as would in a great
measure confirm the opinion of the celebrated statesman above quoted.
I send, as a specimen, the opinions upon Burnet, and should its
insertion in your "NOTES AND QUERIES" be deemed advisable, I will
from time to time send others which I have in my note-book.

M.

Burnet, "A good historian and an honest man."--_Lord Brougham_.

"The History of his Own Times, which Burnet left behind him, is a work
of great instruction and amusement.... His ignorance of parliamentary