premise: In spite of the increase in numbers and <mask> brought about by the conversions of Newman and other Tractarians of the 1840 's and 1850 's , the Catholic segment of England one hundred years ago was a very small one ( four per cent , or 800000 ) which did not enjoy a gracious hearing from the general public .
hypothesis: the proper context for <mask> here should be a high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.