“At the time of receiving your communication of Feb. 20., it had been my intention for some days to trouble you with a line to express the high satisfaction which I have derived from your Book of the Church.
“It contains a most interesting sketch of a subject which, to the generality of readers, is almost unknown; and as it cannot fail to be popular from the beauty of its execution, will, I trust, have the effect of turning the attention of many persons, who have hitherto been indifferent to such matters, through ignorance, to the nature of the dangers which this country has escaped, and the blessings of various kinds which have been secured to it, through the National Church Establishment. I could have wished for references to the original writers, more especially as Lingard has made such a display of his authorities. But, perhaps, you had reasons for withholding them at present. A wish has been expressed by many judicious persons, that the work might be published in a reduced form for the benefit of the lower classes, whose minds would be elevated by the zeal and virtue of the first Reformers.
“Your communication is very interesting and important;
great difficulties, I fear, lie in the way of an open and formal reunion with
the body of the Church, and I am apprehensive the movement, if it has any
effect, will terminate in swelling the numbers, and
| 166 | LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE | Ætat. 50. |
“With repeated thanks for your valuable communication, and with sincere respect, I remain,
