Cardinal Manning: As Presented in His Own Letters and Notes

I N a matter of controversy we very seldom get plain statements, and in a religious controversy, we may almost say never. In the recently published 'Life of Cardinal Manning', on the other hand, we have Letters, Diaries, Journals, and Autobiographical Notes, as to the authenticity of which there can be no dispute. Mr. Purcell tells us in his preface (p. vi): 'All his Diaries, Journals, and Autobiographical Notes, in accordance with his wish and will, passed into my possession. I did not attempt to revise or reverse Cardinal Manning's directions. In his Diaries, Journals, and Notes he told the story of his own life, laid bare the workings of his heart; its trials and temptations, sometimes its secrets and sorrows. It was not for me by suppressions to amend or to blur his handiwork.' Mr. Purcell is a Roman Catholic himself; was an Intimate friend of Cardinal Manning's, and went through with Cardinal Manning, during his lifetime, nearly all these Diaries, Journals, Letters, and Notes. Mr. Purcell has, since the Cardinal's death, had an opportunity of consulting many of the late Cardinal's personal friends, and has thus been enabled to throw additional light on many points. We have almost wholly confined ourselves to Roman Catholic authors in dealing with any controversial matter; but it must be borne in mind that in all strictures that may be passed on any opinions, motives, or events, that are related in the Life, we are not judging the man, but the ecclesiastical system that lends itself to the successful issue of such motives or opinions. Cardinal Manning's object in compiling this record of his life, and in causing it to be published during the lifetime of many alluded to in these Diaries, Journals, and Notes, maybe apparent by the time we have reached the closing years of his career. This is a life of Henry Edward Cardinal Manning of England.