Those who wished to "comprehend" at the Roman side of the _via media_ were very few. Elizabeth and Laud are the most prominent instances. Charles I., and afterwards the Nonjurors, had schemes of communion with the Greek Church. A _History of Comprehension_ would involve a historical notice of the Thirty-nine Articles, and the plan of Comprehension maintained by some to be the intention of their framers. It should include also distinctive sketches of the classes formerly denominated _Church Papists_ and _Church Puritans_.]
The following extract from an article on "Angling in North Wales," which appeared in _The Field_ newspaper of October 22nd, contains a specimen of an entirely original kind of testimonial, which seems to me worthy of preservation in "N. & Q.'s" museum of curiosities:
"Beguiled by the treacherous representations of a certain Mr. Williams, and the high character of his donkeys, I undertook the ascent of Dunas Bran, and poked about among the ruins of Crow Castle on its summit, where I found nothing of any consequence, except an appetite for my dinner. The printed paper which Mr. Williams hands about, deploring the loss of his 'character,' and testifying to the wonderful superiority of all his animals, is rather amusing. Mr. Williams evidently never had a donkey 'what wouldn't go.' This paper commences with an affidavit from certain of the householders and _literati_ of Llangollen, that he 'had received numerous testimonials, all of which we are sorry to say _has_ been lost.' Those preserved, however, and immortalised in print, suffice to establish Mr. Williams' reputation:
"Mr. W. and his son and daughter bear testimony to the civility and attention of Mr. Williams _and_ his donkeys.
"S. P., Esquire, attended at the Haud Hotel, 24th June, 1851, and engaged four of Mr. Williams' donkeys for the use of a party of ladies, who expressed themselves highly gratified. The animals were remarkably tractable, and void of stupidity.
"Mrs. D. A. B. visited Valle Crucis Abbey on the back of Mr. Williams' ass, and is well satisfied.
"Sept. 4. 1852. This is to certify that LADY MARSHALL Is to Donkeys very partial, And no postilion in a car, shall Ever more her drive O'er all the stones; On 'Jenny Jones' She'll ride while she's alive!"