AN HISTORICAL TRUTH SOCIETY.
[To THR EDITOR OF TRH "SPRCTILTOR.1 Sr,—Mr. G. G. Coulton in the Spectator of August 30th states that "the formation [in 1884] of a Catholic Truth Society ' " (and other bodies which he names) "does but confirm many readers in the conviction which [he has] heard seriously defended by an educated lady, that Church histories are as truly works of imagination as any novel." He adduces no evidence in support of this view, nor does it appear that it is based upon anything more substantial than the conviction of an educated (but anonymous) lady. The Society which I have the honour to represent has issued a large number of works bearing upon historical questions, and I trust, Sir, you will allow me to ask your correspondentwhether, of his own knowledge, he can furnish examples of the "works of imagination" of which he complains. We have taken every care to avoid the publication of anything contrary to historical truth ; and in the only case known to us in which a doubtful statement had been accepted as accurate, we at once withdrew from publication the pamphlet in which it occurred. Mr. Coulton has so high a view of the "responsibility for the word published in print" that I am sure he will, if unable to substantiate it, "retract publicly" the statement into which he has apparently "been betrayed" by an "educated lady."—I am, Sir, &c.,
JAMES BRITTEN,
Hon. Sec. Catholic Truth Society. 126 Kennington Park Road, S.E.
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