New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-03

PURcELLs VIEW OF CARDINAL MANNING.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: The discussion which has arisen over Pur-
cells Life Of Cardinal Manning bids fair to be-
come almost as interesting the volume itself.
Cardinal Vaughans criticism in THE Nineteenth
Century" together with that of other Catholic
writer's. has raised the wide question Of what is the
function of a biographer Mr.. Purcell may be said
to be Of the few writers of other mems lives who
Is absolutely free from what Macauay termed tho
''ues Boswellana." the biographer's madness.
Whatever tells for against the Cardinal. is set
down and pointed out with absolute clearness.
Some OF the deductions may be open to question.
In the of some OF the letters II might have
been better had another ten years elapsed before
they were printed no one denies that the writer
has set with the determine ton to depict the
Cardinal as he was. and If the almost divine ideal
which had been formed of him has been somewhat
diminished In lusre II will not be matter of regret
to those who regard truth the highest element of
history.
No one who has not experienced the changes of
religious thought through which Cardinal Manning
passed can realize the situations TO which he was
exposed. In the early part Of this century favor
ite exhibition in London was known dssolving
views. By simple mechanical contrivance pct-
from two magic lanterns thrown
sheet beginning the other disappeared
During the change there much confusion when
both pictures appeared on the same disk at once
until withdrew. leaving the other fully dis
closed. This process was a figure of the confusion
Of mind through which any passes who leaves
old and settled Views and adopts a new point of
view. Manning passed twice through this period of
storm and stress. Brought up n extreme Evange-
cal. he developed into High Churchman. Again
his views passed through the crucible and he
emerged Catholic. process such as this in
wolves changes in the environment which the
man is never exposed whose point of view is never
changed.
Purcell. born and bred Catholic. fails to see that
there must be period Of uncertainty rather than
insincerty, while the change is working. A min
lister must on preaching. advising comforting and
until the new views have entirely displaced the old
the conventionalisms of the old rule must reign.
ming to persons who applied TO him for spiritual
advice. and to Wberforce to whom he applied per-
biographer as If they involved nsincerity.
whereas they were part Of the trials 20 which he
was exposed by having to continue the duties OF the
old life while the point of view being broken
by events as they were unfolded day by day.
Cardinal Vaughan describes this biography as al
most crime. and from his point Of view it may
as a capital offence. and to Catholics Of the Ward
schoS this bio, biography q a ne subec n the
memoirs energies at the end OF the second volume
a bad man, an unfathful priest, or a luxurious
ceaseless activity the biogrspher bears willing
Testimony. But the human element. the love Of
power the determination TO win at all Odds TO keep
well In the Archdeacon OF Chichester. as In the
Cardinal Archbishop Of Westminster. That the
Safcs mes na and ae hat
and Catholic should alike resent the picture thrown
the canvas by Mr.. Purcells magic lantern. might
teach the unprejudced reader that Manning was a
poseur in both churches that he was regarded by
extremists. Puseyte and Roman. with little less
than hero worship and both resent the destruction
Of their favorite IDEAL b. H.
New-York Feb e. 1896.