15. 1693, is in vol. ii. p. 167.: {151}
"I could send you a long answer to your queries, but have not
the confidence to do it; for all that I can say was only heard
from others when I was at school at Eton, and if I should depend
upon that, perhaps I should make too bold with truth. 'Twas then
commonly said that the college held some lands by the custom of
salting; but having never since examined it, I know not how to
account for it. One would think, at first view, considering the
foundation was designed for a nursery of the Christian religion,
and has not been in being much above 250 years, that it is not
likely any remains of the Gentiles, relating to their
sacrifices, should in so public a manner be suffered in it;
however, I cannot but own with those that understand anything of
antiquity, that the Christians very early assumed some rites of
the heathens; and probably it might be done with this
design,--that the nations, seeing a religion which in its
outward shape was something like their own, might be the sooner
pursuaded to embrace it.
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