'Early in 1841 Grote was called upon to add another duty to the already full catalogue, for his friend Dr. Waddington now entreated him to look through his ponderous and learned work, "The History of the Reformation," then preparing for publication! [...] True to the obligations of friendship, Grote immediately "set to," [a favourite expression of Grote's] upon his critical labours. It certainly was a sacrifice of time and thought to acquiesce in Waddington's modest request, and wade through those thick volumes: and I remember his making humorous observations upon his own disqualification -- I might add, his distaste -- for the task, which he regarded as lying outside his own familiar sphere of study. Nevertheless, the "History of the Reformation" was conscientiously scanned; letters and disquisitions on the subject frequently passing between the two friends.'