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Strachey, Giles Lytton, 1880-1932

"Eminent Victorians"

'
Such words were not the words of wisdom. It is easy to imagine
the feelings of Monsignor Talbot. 'Newman's work none here can
understand,' he burst out to his friend. 'Poor man, by living
almost ever since he has been a Catholic, surrounded by a set of
inferior men who idolise him, I do not think he has ever acquired
the Catholic instincts.' As for his views on the Temporal Power--
'well, people said that he had actually sent a subscription to
Garibaldi. Yes, the man was incomprehensible, heretical,
dangerous; he was "uncatholic and unchristian."' Monsignor Talbot
even trembled for the position of Manning in England. 'I am
afraid that the old school of Catholics will rally round Newman
in opposition to you and Rome. Stand firm, do not yield a bit in
the line you have taken. As I have promised, I shall stand by
you. You will have battles to fight because every Englishman is
naturally anti-Roman. To be Roman is and effort to an Englishman.
Dr. Newman is more English than the English. His spirit must be
crushed.'
His spirit must be crushed! Certainly there could be no doubt of
that. 'What you write about Dr Newman,' Manning replied, 'is
true. Whether he knows it or not, he has become the centre of
those who hold low views about the Holy See, are anti-Roman, cold
and silent, to say no more, about the Temporal Power; national,
English, critical of Catholic devotions, and always on the lower
side.


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