This volume is given to the public as material actually printed from Fr. Neville’s MS., the staple of it almost ready for press at the time of his death. It virtually comes from him.
It has been deemed best to issue, with as little delay as may be, what stands complete in itself, and forms a not unimportant part of the Cardinal’s work. Indeed some few portions are, perhaps, equal to anything he has written; and deal occasionally with subjects of special interest to the religious world at the present day.
A Prefatory narrative introduces the various replies made by his Eminence to Addresses received in 1879-81, on occasion of the Cardinalate conferred upon him in the former year by Pope Leo XIII.
In an Appendix will be found the Italian and Latin versions respectively of two out of three letters given after the Prefatory narrative; also a letter from Dr. Newman to Bishop Ullathorne, the terms of which gave rise to the impression that the Cardinalate had been declined; and three notes are added in connection with his journey from Rome, a projected second journey thither, the duties of the Cardinalate, etc. Finally, a small index has been added.
Should it chance that leave has not been obtained by Fr. Neville for the publication of any of the few letters appearing, it is hoped that their congratulatory character, representing as they do, in nearly every case, the sentiments of whole communities on a public occasion, will excuse any inadvertent omission in this respect.
The book is a record of Fr. Neville’s assiduity in matters relating to the Cardinal, and may be fitly dedicated to the memory of a long and unobtrusive service, and of a singular and touching devotion to the illustrious Oratorian .
17th July, 1905.
H. L. B.
E. B. (L.).