Cardinal Wiseman in Rome [pp. 117-123]

Cardinal Wiseman in Rome.
in conversation at Rome. One grows
up there in a kinder spirit, and learns
to speak of errors in a gentler tone than
elsewhere, though in the very centre
ofhighestorthodoxfeeling." Dr.Wiseman went back to the English college,
leaving among his countrymen at home
an enviable reputation for honesty,
learning, and good sense.
A few years more passed in frequent contact with the Holy Father,
and under the continuous influence
of the sacred associations with which
eighteen centuries have peopled the
Christian capital, and Nicholas Wiseman was then ready to go forth to his
work. The recollection of numberless favors and kind words from the
supreme pontiff went with him, and
strengthened him, and colored his
thoughts. He has told of the cordial
and paternal treatment with which he
was honored by Gregory XVI. in particular. "An embrace would supply
the place of ceremonious forms on
entrance. At one time a long, familiar conversation, seated side by side;
at another a visit to the penetralia of
the pontifical apartment (a small suite
of entresols, communicating by an internal staircase) occupied the time.
...... What it has been my
happiness to hear from him in such
visits, it would be betraying a sacred
trust to reveal; but many and many
words there spoken rise to the mind
in times of trouble, like stars, not only
bright in themselves, but all the bright er in their reflection from the bright ness of their mirror. They have been
words of mastery and spell over after
events, promises, and prognostics which
have not failed, assurances and sup ports that have never come to
naught."*
* He gives an amusing account of a perplexing
situation from which this same Pope once unwit.
tingly delivered him, while he was engaged in his
course of lectures on Science and Revealed Relig
In 1840 it was determined to increase the number of vicars apostolic in
England from four to eight, and Dr.
Wiseman, at the same time, was appointed coadjutor to Bishop Walsh at
Wolverhampton. "It was a sorrowful
evening," he says, "at the beginning
of autumn, when, after a residence in
Rome prolonged through twenty-two
years, till affection clung to every old
stone there, like the moss that grew
into it, this strong but tender tie was
cut, and much of future happiness had
to be invested in the mournful recollections of the past."
Here we leave him. It was not
until ten years later that he became
cardinal, but though from 1840 to 1850
he filled only a subordinate position,
he was working hard and well during
this period, and fast rising to be the
foremost man of all the Catholics of
England. And his work never ceased.
He lived to see the hierarchy established, and the conversion of his countrymen making steady if not rapid
progress; but his energy never flagged
when a part of his task was done; he
passed on from one labor to another,
until that last day, when "he entered
into the sanctuary of God's presence,
from which he hever again came forth."
ion at the apartments of Cardinal Weld. "On one
of the days of delivery," says he, " I had been prevented from writing the lecture in time, and was
laboring to make up for my delay, but in vain.
Quarter after quarter of:each hour flew rapidly on,
and my advance bore no proportion to the matter
before me. The fatal hour of twelve was fast ap proaching, and I knew not what excuse I could
make, nor how to supply, except by a lame re.
cital, the important portion yet unwritten of my
task-for an index to the lectures had been printed
and circulated. Just as the last moment arrived, a
carriage from the palace drove to the door, with a
message that I would step into it at once, as His
Holiness wished to speak to me. This was, indeed,
a de ez machina-the only and least thought of
expedient that could have saved me from my em barrassment. A messenger was despatched to inform the gathering audience of the unexpected
cause of necessary adjournment of our sitting till
the next day. The object of my summons was one
ofverytriling importance, and Gregory little knew
what a service he hud nintentionally rende
me."
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