l whither I was going; and were still further annoyed,
when I would view the reception of Tract 90 by the public and the
Bishops as so grave a matter, and threw about what they considered
mysterious hints of "eventualities," and would not simply say, "An
Anglican I was born, and an Anglican I will die." One of my familiar
friends, who was in the country at Christmas, 1841-2, reported to me
the feeling that prevailed about me; and how I felt towards it will
appear in the following letter of mine, written in answer:--

"Oriel, Dec. 24, 1841. Carissime, you cannot tell how sad your
account of Moberly has made me. His view of the sinfulness of the
decrees of Trent is as much against union of Churches as against
individual conversions. To tell the truth, I never have examined
those decrees with this object, and have no view; but that is very
different from having a deliberate view against them. Could not he
say _which_ they are? I suppose Transubstantiation is one. A. B.,
though of course he would not like to have it repeated, does not
scruple at that. I have not my mind clear. Moberly must recollect
that Palmer thinks they all bear a Catholic interpretation. For
myself, this only I see, that there is indefinitely more in the
Fathers against our own state of alienation from Christendom than
against the Tridentine Decrees.

"The only thing I can think of [that I can have said] is this, that
there were persons who, if our Church committed herself to heresy,
_sooner_ than think that there was no Church anywhere, would believe
the Roman to be the Church; and therefore would on faith accept what
they could not otherwise acquiesce in. I suppose, it would be no
relief to him to insist upon the circumstance that there is no
immediate danger. Individuals can never be answered for of course;
but I should think lightly of that man, who, for some act of the
Bishops, should all at once leave the Church. Now, considering how
the Clergy really are improving, considering that this row is even
making them read the Tracts, is it not possible we may all be in a
better state of mind seven years hence to consider these matters? and
may we not leave them meanwhile to the will of Providence? I _cannot_
believe this work has been of man; God has a right to His own work,
to do what He will with it. May we not try to leave it in His hands,
and be content?

"If you learn anything about Barter, which leads you to think that I
can relieve him by a l