He seems to come within the category of Defoe's true-born Englishman, "whose parents were the Lord knows who," not because there should be any doubt upon the subject, but because none suspected at the time the latent importance of the Bantling and the circumstances of his birth until it seemed too late to decide by demonstration or simple affirmation who was father and who the sponsors.
"The History of "Punch""
M. H. Spielmann
The experience he gained, however, by assiduous attendance at the theatre so convinced him of the defects in his own Bantling, that he withdrew it before performance-a heroic act of self-criticism rare amongst young authors.
"Three Comedies"
Björnstjerne M. Björnson Commentator: R. Farquharson Sharp
He advertised my Bantling gratuitously in his own journal, and gave it every possible facility.
"Reminiscences of Charles Bradlaugh"
George W. Foote