of matter of questioned genuineness, must receive the first and foremost regard, even though it were certain that their text was unsound in certain other respects, as, for instance, in the touches of critical hands. Fewness must not discourage a reliance on their testimony, because, if an intrusion took place at a particular point at a remote date—and there is sufficient proof that such mischief was very early at work—such a numerical disparity is precisely the state of things to be encountered in
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