e I was at Oriel, I
recollect an acquaintance saying to me that "the Oriel Common Room
stank of Logic." One is not at all pleased when poetry, or eloquence,
or devotion, is considered as if chiefly intended to feed syllogisms.
Now, in saying all this, I am saying nothing against the deep piety
and earnestness which were characteristics of this second phase of
the Movement, in which I have taken so prominent a part. What I have
been observing is, that this phase had a tendency to bewilder and to
upset me, and, that instead of saying so, as I ought to have done, in
a sort of easiness, for what I know, I gave answers at random, which
have led to my appearing close or inconsistent.

I have turned up two letters of this period, which in a measure
illustrate what I have been saying. The first is what I said to the
Bishop of Oxford on occasion of Tract 90:

"March 20, 1841. No one can enter into my situation but myself. I see
a great many minds working in various directions and a variety of
principles with multiplied bearings; I act for the best. I sincerely
think that matters would not have gone better for the Church, had I
never written. And if I write I have a choice of difficulties. It is
easy for those who do not enter into those difficulties to say, 'He
ought to say this and not say that,' but things are wonderfully
linked together, and I cannot, or rather I would not be dishonest.
When persons too interrogate me, I am obliged in many cases to give
an opinion, or I seem to be underhand. Keeping silence looks like
artifice. And I do not like people to consult or respect me, from
thinking differently of my opinions from what I know them to be. And
again (to use the proverb) what is one man's food is another man's
poison. All these things make my situation very difficult. But that
collision must at some time ensue between members of the Church of
opposite sentiments, I have long been aware. The time and mode has
been in the hand of Providence; I do not mean to exclude my own great
imperfections in bringing it about; yet I still feel obliged to think
the Tract necessary.

"Dr. Pusey has shown me your Lordship's letters to him. I am most
desirous of saying in print anything which I can honestly say to
remove false impressions created by the Tract."

The second is part of the notes of a letter sent to Dr. Pusey in the
next year:

"October 16, 1842. As to my being entirely with A. B., I do not know
the limits of my own o