re only gradually opening on us!"

Instead then of speaking of errors in doctrine, I was driven, by my
state of mind, to insist upon the political conduct, the
controversial bearing, and the social methods and manifestations of
Rome. And here I found a matter close at hand, which affected me most
sensibly too, because it was before my eyes. I can hardly describe
too strongly my feeling upon it. I had an unspeakable aversion to the
policy and acts of Mr. O'Connell, because, as I thought, he
associated himself with men of all religions and no religion against
the Anglican Church, and advanced Catholicism by violence and
intrigue. When then I found him taken up by the English Catholics,
and, as I supposed, at Rome, I considered I had a fulfilment before
my eyes how the Court of Rome played fast and loose, and fulfilled
the bad points which I had seen put down in books against it. Here we
saw what Rome was in action, whatever she might be when quiescent.
Her conduct was simply secular and political.

This feeling led me into the excess of being very rude to that
zealous and most charitable man, Mr. Spencer, when he came to Oxford
in January, 1840, to get Anglicans to set about praying for unity. I
myself then, or soon after, drew up such prayers; it was one of the
first thoughts which came upon me after my shock, but I was too much
annoyed with the political action of the members of the Roman Church
in England to wish to have anything to do with them personally. So
glad in my heart was I to see him when he came to my rooms, whither
Mr. Palmer of Magdalen brought him, that I could have laughed for
joy; I think I did; but I was very rude to him, I would not meet him
at dinner, and that (though I did not say so) because I considered
him "in loco apostatae" from the Anglican Church, and I hereby beg his
pardon for it. I wrote afterwards with a view to apologise, but I
dare say he must have thought that I made the matter worse, for these
were my words to him:--

"The news that you are praying for us is most touching, and raises a
variety of indescribable emotions. May their prayers return
abundantly into their own bosoms! Why then do I not meet you in a
manner conformable with these first feelings? For this single reason,
if I may say it, that your acts are contrary to your words. You
invite us to a union of hearts, at the same time that you are doing
all you can, not to restore, not to reform, not to reunite, but to
destroy