Mr.Froude may have been more careful, or more lucky"-- meaning less fraudulent, or more skilful--"with the hidden wealth of Simancas than he has been with regard to materials which are more generally accessible.

I trust it may prove so." If Freeman thought that he meant that, he must have had singular powers of self-deception.

"I have been twitted by men of thought and learning"-- whom he does not name--"for letting Mr.Froude off too easily, and I am inclined to plead guilty to the charge.

I do not suppose that Mr.Froude wilfully misrepresents anything; the fault seems to be inherent and incurable; he does not know what historical truth is, or how a man should set about looking for it.

As therefore his book is not written with that regard for truth with which a book ought to be written, I hold that I am justified in saying that it is not 'un livre de bonne roy.'" It is difficult to read this disingenuous farrago of insinuation even now without a strong sense of moral contempt.