The unusual charge of dullness, which had been made against some passages in his opening discourse, was never made again.

The lectures became a leading topic of conversation, and a subject of fierce attack.

Without fear, and in defiance of his critics, he dashed into the reign of Henry VIII., "the English Blue Beard, whom I have been accused of attempting to whitewash." "I have no particular veneration for kings," he said.

"The English Liturgy speaks of them officially as most religious and gracious.
They have been, I suppose, as religious and gracious as other men, neither more nor less.

The chief difference is that we know more of kings than we know of other men." Henry had a short way with absentees.