[The story rests upon the authority of the Rev. C. Cruttwell, the
bishop's biographer and editor. The following passage occurs in the _Life
of Bishop Wilson_, vol. i. p. 226 of his _Works_, third edition, 8vo.,
1784, and in the folio edition, p. 57.:--"Cardinal Fleury wanted much
to see him [the bishop], and sent over on purpose to inquire after his
health, his age, and the date of his consecration; as they were the two
oldest bishops, and he believed the poorest, in Europe; at the same time
inviting him to France. The Bishop sent the Cardinal an answer, which
gave him so high an opinion of him, that he obtained an order that no
French privateer should ravage the Isle of Man." Feltham, in his _Tour
through the Isle of Man_, 1798, after quoting this story, adds, "And that
the French still respect a Manksman, some recent instances confirm."]
_Dr. Dodd a Dramatist._--I have seen it somewhere stated, that after Dr.
Dodd's trial, he sent for Mr. Woodfall to consult him respecting the
publication of a comedy he had written in his youth, entitled _Sir Roger
de Coverley_, and which he had actually revised and completed while in
Newgate. Was it ever published; and if not, where is the MS.?