Memoirs of James Robert Hope-Scott, vol 2 | Page 9

dans la création combinée de la volonté tyrannique de Henri VIII. et de la politique d'Elisabeth, tandis que la Doctrine comme la Discipline du Concile de Trente ne vous laisse rien à désirer, et conquiert déjà vos suffrages?...
J'ose compter partant sur votre intérêt amical, et vous connoissez les sentimens sincères d'attachement et de respect avec lesquels je suis à jamais
Tout à vous, SENFFT.

CHAPTER XIX
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1842-3.
Oxford Commotions of 1842-3--Mr. Newman's Retractation--Correspondence of Mr. Newman and J. R. Hope on the Subject--Mr. Hope pleads for Mr. Macmullen--Dr. Pusey suspended for his Sermon on the Holy Eucharist--Seeks Advice from Mr. Hope--Mr. Newman resigns St. Mary's--Correspondence of Mr. Newman and Mr. Hope on the 'Lives of the English Saints'--Mr. Ward's Condemnation--Mr. Hope sees the 'Shadow of the Cross' through the Press-- Engaged with 'Scripture Prints,' 'Pupilla Oculi,' &c.--Lady G. Fullerton's Recollections of J. R. Hope--He proposes to make a Retreat at Littlemore.
It results in general from the documents furnished in the preceding chapter, that Mr. Hope's confidence in the Anglican Church had sustained a severe shock by the Jerusalem Bishopric movement; and from about the year 1842 he seems to have thrown himself with increasing energy into his professional occupations, not certainly as becoming less religious (for his was a mind never tempted to the loss of faith), but as being deprived of that scope which his convictions had formerly presented to him in the pursuit of ecclesiastical objects. It seems probable, also, that the same cause was not unconnected with his entering, some years later, into the married life; the news of which step is known to have fallen like a knell on the minds of those who looked up to him and shared his religious feelings, as it appeared a sign that he no longer thought the ideal perfection presented by the celibate life--which he certainly contemplated in 1840-1--was congenial with the spirit of the Church of England. That communion was now losing her hold upon him, though he still could not make up his mind to leave her, and might conceivably never have done so but for events which forced the change upon him at last. His professional career and his habits in domestic life will require to be separately described; for, though of course they proceeded simultaneously with a large part of that phase of his existence which is now before us, it would only confuse the reader to pass continually from one to the other. I propose, therefore, without any interruption that can be avoided, to go on with the history of his religious development up to the period of his conversion.
The year 1842, commencing, as we have seen, with the storms of the Jerusalem Bishopric movement and the Poetry Professorship contest, agitated also, towards the end of May, by a movement for the repeal of the Statute of Censure against Dr. Hampden, passed off, for the rest, quietly enough-- at least, Mr. Hope's correspondence shows little to the contrary; but 1843 was marked by much disturbance, commencing early with Mr. Newman's 'Retractation,' which the great leader announced to Mr. Hope in the following letter a few days before that document appeared in the 'Conservative Journal:'--
_The Rev. J. H. Newman to J. R. Hope, Esq._
Littlemore: In fest. Conv. S. Pauli, 1843.
My dear Hope,--In return for your announcement of some change of purpose, I must tell you of one of my own, in a matter where I told you I was going to be very quiet.
My conscience goaded me some two months since to an act which comes into effect, I believe, in the Conservative Journal next Saturday, viz. to eat a few dirty words of mine. I had intended it for a time of peace, the beginning of December, but against my will and power the operation has been delayed, and now, unluckily, falls upon the state of irritation and suspicion in good Anglicans, which Bernard Smith's step [Footnote: The conversion of the Rev. Bernard Smith, Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford.] has occasioned. I had committed myself when all was quiet. The meeting of Parliament will, I hope, divert attention.
Ever yrs,
JOHN H. NEWMAN.
P.S.--I am publishing my Univ. Sermons. You got a headache for _one_-- it would be an act of gratitude to send you all. Shall I do so?
_J. R. Hope, Esq. to the Rev. J. H. Newman._
6 Stone Buildings, Linc. Inn: Feast of Purification [Feb. 2], '43.
Dear Newman,--You will think me ungracious for having so long delayed my answer to your last, but I did not get hold of the Conservative Journal till Monday, and have been very busy since.
Perhaps you will like to know what effect your article has produced on me. Simply this: it has convinced me that you are clearing your position of some popular protections which still surrounded it. Beyond this I do not see.