Storia do Mogor 323: ANSWER TO THE TWELFTH ARTICLE.

323

[135] When I said this, I had drunk two or three glasses of strong Spanish wine; and that being the case, I am not astonished if I was not so very careful. For I have never been present at the prayers of the English gentlemen. They themselves can surely prove this, as also the Roman Catholics living at Madras. How possibly could I say that I went to their meetings and that I read there in my breviary ? For what I did say referred to those who attended the services of the Dutch (for it was of them we were talking). These, though known to be Roman Catholics, were nevertheless obliged under heavy fines to be present at some of the Dutch devotional exercises. As I knew the facts, I said they could not be condemned so severely as the priest who accuses me wished to lay down. This is what happened, and Mr. Sperrely was present at the discussion.