lapse, or rather the temporary eclipse, of Anglo-Catholicism at Oxford. But certainly W. G. Ward, its stalwart defender, did much more to bring this about than Robert Lowe, who so vigorously assailed it. To use Newman's own phrase, 'the game was up.' But he alone of the three leaders recognised, or at least admitted, it. It is, however, open to the followers of Keble and Pusey to point to the present changed condition of the English Church, and to maintain that they, and not Newman, took the wiser course. The Tractarians as a party were scattered and broken, and the rushing tide of Liberalism swept in and carried everything, at least for the time, before it. The struggle was maintained for some years, until Newman sought refuge in the Church of Rome (1845). Robert Lowe had left Oxford, and was in London, studying the intricacies of special pleading under the late Sir Barnes Peacock. The following letter written by him at this time to the Rev. R. Michell, of Lincoln, will show how thoroughly Newman's pamphlets had aroused him to action : Robert Lowe to Rev. R. Michell. 34 Burton Crescent (undated). I have read Newman's last tract, which I think a fond thing enough, and from which I am half-inclined to think he has a hankering for Popery after all, and not merely a speculative predilection for Catholicism, as I used to think. Why, otherwise, he should encumber his creed with purgatory, saint and image worship, and similar gammon, I cannot imagine. I must go and talk to Catholicus (that is, Roundell Palmer) on the point. Rumours are rife that you are going to do something dreadful at Oxford in the way of an answer to Newman by Convocation. As a Hampdenite, I can only think of Acteon ὃν ὠμόσιτοι σκύλακες οὓς ἐθρέψατο The hounds will gather at the huntsman's hollo, But if he goes among them without his red coat he is very likely to be torn in pieces. I shall be glad if such a vote is proposed, as it will give me an excuse, to myself, for revisiting Alma Mater, and venting the concentrated venom of years in one vote.1 This is, of course, not to be taken altogether literally. In writing to Michell and other intimate friends, it was customary for Lowe to express himself at times in an unconventional or humorous way; but beneath the fun there was clearly a serious intent. Speaking on the 'Oxford University Bill' (May 1, 1854) then before the Committee of the House of Commons, Lowe said: 'In 1836, eight hundred persons were brought up to condemn a work of Dr. Hampden's, which not onetenth part of them had ever read. That same Convocation afterwards turned on those of whom it was the obedient instrument in 1836, like Acteon's dogs, and came up with the same want of reflection, and the same heat and violence, to condemn their doctrines.' CHAPTER VII IN LONDON (1841-1842) Called to the Bar-Emigration to Australia ROBERT LOWE had matters to think of more nearly affecting his immediate future and that of his wife than the Tractarian controversy. Not only did he fail to secure the Greek professorship at Glasgow, but also a much smaller appointment, the then newly-created Prælectorship of Logic at Oxford. 'I really think,' he remarks, if I had obtained it I should very probably have shrunk from the plunge into the great world which I was about to make.' As he did not obtain it, he decided to take the plunge. The little house, 16 St. Aldate's, was sold, and Mr. and Mrs. Lowe removed to 34 Burton Crescent, Bloomsbury, a locality never by any means fashionable, and far less so now than then. Throughout his period of hard work and estrangement from his father, his aunt, Mrs. Sherbrooke of Oxton Hall, to whose estate and name his elder brother afterwards succeeded, was truly a friendly counsellor, a circumstance that he ever remembered with gratitude. The following letter, written at this crisis, lays open his plans, and is written in the manly, hopeful, yet affectionate tone of a young man, about to embark on a new, and perhaps perilous, enterprise, who craves for sympathy and hearty good wishes, as well as for counsel and admonition: Robert Lowe to Mrs. Sherbrooke, of Oxton Hall. Friday: 16 St. Aldate's, Oxford. My dear Mrs. Sherbrooke,-I think you will be pleased to hear that I have at length fixed upon a house in London. My choice is 34 Burton Crescent, a very good house, and at a very moderate rent (for London). I have been greatly dismayed in looking out for a house by the immense rents which are asked. I find it absolutely impossible to obtain a house for less than 100l. a year, including rates and taxes; my present one is 85l., which with rates and taxes will be brought to about that sum. Burton Crescent nearly touches Euston Square with one horn and Tavistock with the other; it is about three-quarters of a mile from Lincoln's Inn, and its vicinity to the New Road [now Euston Road] gives an easy approach to the more westerly and fashionable parts of the town. My residence at Dinan has been particularly agreeable this summer; my lodgings commanded a most beautiful prospect, and the previous knowledge I had gained of the people and country enabled me to enjoy the pleasures derived from both to the utmost. As a specimen of the price of provisions, my wife, myself, and an English maidservant lived very comfortably for three months for 247. I have also made some very kind and agreeable friends this summer- a Mr. Leake, his wife, and daughters; he was private secretary to Lord Grey and has now a situation in the Treasury. During the five days we were in London searching for lodgings we dined with them there. . . . As a set-off to all this (which, however slight in itself, to one so little favoured by fortune as I really looks like prosperity), I have lost the dearest and kindest of my friends, Mrs. Weguelin. She was the niece of Lord Sydenham, the GovernorGeneral of Canada, and daughter of a Mr. Thompson, who was drowned in the Thames last year. . . . There was no one living whom I more entirely loved and esteemed, and to whose society, as residing near London, I looked forward with more pleasure. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as God will. She was only twenty-five. I have also made friends with another family, of the name of Tyndall. I stayed in Guernsey ten days on my return from France, and received from them during that time the greatest and most unceasing kindness. It is always difficult to form an opinion of what is going on in France from the provinces; but I believe from all I could hear and learn there will be no war this time. I am now in Oxford, finishing off my pupils. My wife is in Hampshire with her brother. You have perhaps heard that my youngest sister-in-law is going to marry a Mr. Dunbar, eldest son of a Sir Archibald Dunbar, a Scotch baronet. The wedding is fixed for November 5. With duty and love to Colonel and Mrs. Coape, believe me always, Most sincerely and gratefully yours, ROBT. LOWE. Writing again to Mrs. Sherbrooke to thank her for the present of a law dictionary, he remarks: 'I am now working eight hours a day, and shall have hard work of it, as the term is three weeks longer than usual, owing to the lateness of Easter.' Nor was Mrs. Lowe slow to recognise the kindness and sympathy shown to her husband and herself by his aunt at this their period of storm and stress.' Some passages in her letter to Mrs. Sherbrooke are very suggestive, revealing her own character as well as his severe drudgery, borne so uncomplainingly. His spirits,' she writes, ' are quite raised to their old level again, and he is as joyous as he was some years ago. I was not aware to its full extent how much he disliked his present occupation, and how heavily it weighed upon his mind, until I witnessed the relief the anticipation of release from it is to him.' The letter continues in that strain of splendid confidence in her husband's power to overcome all difficulties, and to rise to any eminence, however lofty, which characterises all Mrs. Lowe's correspondence. He is reading law from morning to night it seems quite a delightful occupation. I am also glad he appears to find the law so easy; from the constant cultivation to which he has subjected his mind, the difficulties of which others complain appear trivial to him. He has already, I assure you, from his memory been able to correct two old lawyers on some law points. I look forward with the greatest assurance to his some day becoming a great man, he unites such rare industry with his abilities.' After the young couple had left Oxford, Mrs. Sherbrooke continued her good offices, and did all in her power to |