_Archbishop Magee._--In a committee of the House of Lords, 1825, Lord
Holland asked Archbishop Magee: "Does your grace really think that there is
any person capable of holding such a monstrous opinion, as that the Roman
Catholic religion is idolatrous?" The Archbishop calmly fixed his eyes on
Lord Holland's countenance, and replied "My Lord, _some have sworn to
it_."--I only quote so much of the anecdote (which your readers will find
in Archbishop Magee's _Works_, vol. i. p. 67., 1842) as my purpose
requires.
As reported in _The Times_, on April 18, 1853, Lord Lansdown, speaking of
an old committee in the House of Lords, said:
"During those two days, a right reverend prelate was examined; and he
was required to state upon oath whether the Creed of St. Athanasius was
necessary to salvation. The reply was, 'He would not say whether it was
that, but a great many persons had sworn that it was.'"
Some correspondent may be able to state whether these two extracts pertain
or not to one and the same occurrence, and which is the true version.