o this famous Voyage was composed in the person of
the Centurion's chaplain, by Mr Robins in his own style and manner. Of
this Mr Robins' friends, Mr Glover and Mr Ockenden, are witnesses as
well as myself, we having compared the printed book with Mr
Walter's manuscript. And this was at that time no secret, for in
the counterpart of an indenture, now lying before me, made between
Benjamin Robins, Esq. and John and Paul Knapton, booksellers, I find
that those booksellers purchased the copy of this book from Mr Robins,
as the sole proprietor, with no other mention of Mr Walter than a
proviso in relation to the subscriptions he had taken." Dr Wilson
evidently writes under some conviction that his assertions are liable
to scrutiny, and that the matter of his remarks is debatable; hence
his allegation that other _friends_ of Mr Robins are witnesses as well
as himself, and his insinuation that what he testifies was no secret.
But it is obvious, that, were his own assertions of the fact at all
questionable, he would be equally obnoxious to discredit in assigning
these other witnesses; for clearly, the man who could falsify in the
one case, would be capable of doing so in the other. This may be said
without any impeachment whatever of either Dr Wilson or the other
friends of Mr Robins. It is merely a remark on the mode of proof which
the Dr has adopted. As to the insinuation again, of the fact being no
secret, all that it may be requisite to say is simply this, that the
circumstance of the existence of the counterpart of such an indenture
as is mentioned, is a very indifferent proof of publicity; and that
even were it otherwise, were it "confirmation strong," still it might
be readily conceived that Mr Robins should be the sole proprietor of
the work, and yet in no degree the author of it. One may believe, at
least, that Mr Robins, having aided in drawing up the materials for
publication, and having furnished some pieces for it, was entrusted
with the disposal of it to the booksellers; Mr Walter himself, for
value received; or other considerations, abandoning all further
concern. Some importance has been attached to a letter from Lord Anson
to Mr Robins, as preserved by Dr Wilson, and published, as he says, by
his lordship's permission, or, to use his own expression, "Printed
not without the noble lord's consent; who," says the doctor, "being
requested to permit that this testimony might be exhibited to the
world of his lordship