The following extract from a manuscript of undoubted authority, is given to prove how easily men of the greatest genius may deceive themselves in antiquarian researches, more especially when plausible theories are adopted, and then maintained, on the fallacious evidences of doubtful expressions used by obscure writers, immured perhaps within the walls of cloisters, or removed to considerable distances, both of time and space, from the scene of occurrences pretended to be described, and at periods of our civilization, when no intelligence was circulated, and when the transit of a few miles equalled the fatigue, or exceeded the danger, of modern journeys into distant climates. Mr. Whitaker has printed two volumes in quarto on the Ancient Cathedral of Cornwall. One great object of this work, replete like all the others with the most extensive miscellaneous learning, is to prove that no Bishop’s see ever existed at Bodmin, and the assertion is maintained with much vehemence of expression, and disregard of individuals the most respected. Even Doctor William Borlase, whose name is consecrated among his countrymen as their boast and their pride, does not escape from invective and contemptuous epithets, for having maintained the affirmative in regard to the existence of this see. The Reverend Josiah Forshall, late Fellow of Exeter College, and now Keeper of the Manuscripts in the British Museum, has had the goodness to favour me with the following communication. * * * * * [The Volume from which the following entries are taken, is a copy of the Four Gospels in the Vulgate Version, formerly belonging to the Church of St. Petroc, and probably at an early period one of its chief treasures. It appears to be of the Ninth Century, and would perhaps by some critics be assigned to a still more remote date. The ornaments of the Ammonian Harmony prefixed, of the initial capitals, and of a page which is found immediately before the Gospel of St. John, are rude and curious, and strongly resemble those which are to be met with in very ancient Mss. executed in Ireland. The volume is in quarto, of rather an oblong form, and is very neatly written, though evidently by a scribe not well informed or of great learning even for those times. It was purchased by a London Bookseller at the sale of a private library in Oxfordshire, about three years ago, and soon afterwards sold to the British Museum, where it is now deposited and designated by the No. 9381. The entries seem to be contemporaneous with the manumissions which they record.]