ese men, whether they
were with me at Littlemore or not:--

1. 1843 or 1844. "I did not explain to you sufficiently the state of
mind of those who were in danger. I only spoke of those who were
convinced that our Church was external to the Church Catholic, though
they felt it unsafe to trust their own private convictions; but
there are two other states of mind; 1, that of those who are
unconsciously near Rome, and whose _despair_ about our Church would
at once develop into a state of conscious approximation, or a
_quasi_-resolution to go over; 2, those who feel they can with a safe
conscience remain with us _while_ they are allowed to _testify_ in
behalf of Catholicism, _i.e._ as if by such acts they were putting
our Church, or at least that portion of it in which they were
included, in the position of catechumens."

2. "July 16, 1843. I assure you that I feel, with only too much
sympathy, what you say. You need not be told that the whole subject
of our position is a subject of anxiety to others beside yourself. It
is no good attempting to offer advice, when perhaps I might raise
difficulties instead of removing them. It seems to me quite a case,
in which you should, as far as may be, make up your mind for
yourself. Come to Littlemore by all means. We shall all rejoice in
your company; and, if quiet and retirement are able, as they very
likely will be, to reconcile you to things as they are, you shall
have your fill of them. How distressed poor Henry Wilberforce must
be! Knowing how he values you, I feel for him; but, alas! he has his
own position, and every one else has his own, and the misery is that
no two of us have exactly the same.

"It is very kind of you to be so frank and open with me, as you are;
but this is a time which throws together persons who feel alike. May
I without taking a liberty sign myself, yours affectionately, etc."

3. "1845. I am concerned to find you speak of me in a tone of
distrust. If you knew me ever so little, instead of hearing of me
from persons who do not know me at all, you would think differently
of me, whatever you thought of my opinions. Two years since, I got
your son to tell you my intention of resigning St. Mary's, before I
made it public, thinking you ought to know it. When you expressed
some painful feeling upon it, I told him I could not consent to his
remaining here, painful as it would be to me to part with him,
without your written sanction. And this you did me the f