New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-21
CARDINAL NEWMAN'S HOME.

G. hcg6R P1U IN me century,
Above the dingy streets of Birnin gham and
within short distance of the open, still wild and
beautiful country, spread the broad r0ads OF
their shrnbberles which sift the smoke. and in
spring at least, bright with lilac ana IaDurnum
The OratOry fronting one OF these rOaus, wlthih
sight of thickets and sound of singing birds is an
imposing brick building, with Spacious Corridors
and well-proportiOned rooms WITHIN. Each tather
has his own comfortable room, library and bedroom
in one the bed within screen, tue crucInN aDone'
and the priced personal little fittings on tho alls.
The library is full of valuable books, many or them
once the private property OF Dr. Newman, now
forming the nucleus of stately collection Tor the
use of the community. The quiet men no share
this home come and 90 about their several bust
ncsses-the care of the school whose buildings IOn
but are separate from the OratOry proDer, the work
in the church, in hearing confessions, saying
Masses and preaching. In the house the long sonIGn
and biretta are worn; to go abroad they wear me
usual dress of the clergy in England. Perhaps 1t Is
the dinner hour and the silent figures pass along
the galleries to the refractory, a lofty room with
many small tables, and pulpit at one enG opposite
the tables At one of these sits the superior alone
clad like the rest the red lines of his Jirettd
which mark his cardinals rank. But among his
children and in his home, lie is still more tue
superior and the father than prince OF the church
At a table near him may perhaps be guest, and at
others the members of the community, two and
two Tie meal is served by two OF the fathers who
take this office in turn, and it IS only of late that
Dr. Newman has himself ceased 10 take MS part IN
this brotnery service, owing TO his advanced years
During the meal IA novice reads from the pulpit
CHAPTER of the Bible then a.shOrt passage from the
11fe of 1t Philip Neri aud then from some book
religions or secular of general interest. The silence
is otherwise unbrokel save for The words needtul
in serving the meal. Toward the end, one of the
fathers proposes two questions for discussion, or
rather for utterance of opinion. ~ -
I'm one day there was point of Biblical criticism
nroposed and one of ecclesiastical etiquette IN tine
word NAV be allowed. whether, II priest called ID
haste TO administer Extreme OnclOn did so mad
vertentIv with the sacred oil set apart Tor another
nurnose instead of that for UnctiOn, the act were
1ravely irregular. Each gave his opinion on one or
other of these questions, the Cardinal on the hrst
prayey and in well chosen words. let II seemed
TO the observer that while he. no doubt, recognized
that such n point must be decided and sht have
its importance there was certain lmpatlence IN
the manner in which he passed ny the ritual ques-
ton and fastened on that proposed from scripture
After this short religious exercise, the company
passed into another room for frugal dessert and
glass of wine since the day CHANGED TO De least,
and there was much to remind IN Oxford man OF
an Oxford common room, the excellent talk some
times to he heard there and the dignlhed unbendllg
for "A while from serious thought.
DIR. Newman once took great delight IN
the violin, which he played with considerable
skill Even now the fathers hear occasionally the
tones awakened by the old mans hand ring down
the long gallery near his room, and know that he
has not lost the art lie loved, while he cans mind
excited from without rests from strenuous Ia Dor,
early riser punctual the sum- still breaches often
with what may be best described IN words he has
appiicd to St. Philip thy deep simplicity"
The Cardinal has of late been engaged on careful
revision III the light of modern researches OF his
translation of ST. Athanasus, with notes or some
trcatscs of ST. Anathasius against the Arlans ,itc
regards this as the end OF his life's work-a life
which is now appreciated and honored not only by
his spiritual sons, but by all fair minded men
English speech.