also note.

APPENDIX

No. I.

This letter was addressed by the Rev. Joseph Spence, author of
"Polymetus," and of "Spence's Anecdotes," and prebend of Durham, to his
father, who had forbidden him to enter into the society of the
Chevalier, at Rome.

The Rev. Joseph Spence left this letter, with other MSS. and books, to
the late Mrs. Coltman, mother of Samuel Coltman, Esq., of Darley Dale.
It is not dated, but undoubtedly refers to the Chevalier, James Stuart.

"Sir,

"About a month ago, Mr. ---- and I being in search of some of the
antiquities of your place, we became acquainted with an English
gentleman, very knowing in this kind of learning, and who proved of
great use to us; his name is Dr. Cooper, a priest of the Church of
England, whom we did not suspect to be of the Pretender's retinue,
but took him to be a curious traveller, which opinion created in me
a great liking for his conversation. On Easter eve, he made us the
compliment, that as he supposed us bred in the profession of the
said Church, he thought it incumbent on him to invite us to divine
service, next day being Easter Sunday. Such language, at Rome,
appeared to me a jest. I stared at the Doctor, who added that the
Pretender (whom he called king), had prevailed with the late pope,
to grant licence for having divine service according to the rules
of the Church of England, performed in his palace, for the benefit
of the Protestant gentlemen of his suite, his domestics, and
travellers; and that Dr. Berkley and himself were appointed for the
discharge of this duty; and that prayers were read as ordinarily
here as in London. I should have remained of St. Thomas's belief,
had I not been a witness that this is a matter of fact, and as such,
have noted it down, as one of the greatest wonders of Rome. This was
the occasion of my first entrance into the Pretender's house: I
became acquainted with both the Doctors, who are sensible, well-bred
men. I put several questions to them about the Pretender, and, if
credit can be given them, they assure me he is a moral, upright man,
being far from any sort of bigotry, and most averse to disputes and
distinctions of religion, whereof not a word is admitted in his
family. They described him in person very much to the resemblance of
King Charles II., which they say he approaches more and more ever