[ Francis Paget, Bishop of Oxford: 'I dread a Controversy at the beginning of Term.' ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Francis Paget') to 'Dearest Bright' [ the patristic theologian William Bright ]
3pp., 12mo. Grey-paper bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He begins by thanking him 'with all my heart for the kindness of a most interesting and valuable note', before describing '[t]he case of which I was trying to recall the details', that of William Whittingham (c.1524-1579), Dean of Durham. He gives his source and discusses the matter with reference to Whitgift and Fuller, giving the opinion that the argument 'surely looks like an effort to stretch & dignify an irregular laxity, and not at all like an appeal to an authorized permission'. In the final paragraph he states that he has the previous night sent his letter to the Dean of St Paul's, 'asking him to send it to the "Times" if he thought it desirable. - It will be a relief to me if he does not: - I dread a Controversy at the beginning of Term.'