it was on my part with the sad feeling that I was bidding him a last farewell. At length the end came, in 1879, just before I, in turn, was to have been his guest at Rome; and then I found to my surprise that, so far from passing over my wish about his journals, he had by will left me all his papers. This is how he answered my importunity, showing a loving confidence in me, though involving me in an anxious responsibility. Of course he did not anticipate that at my advanced age I could myself do much; but it will be a true satisfaction to me, if, as I am sanguine enough to expect, this volume, illustrative of his first visit to Russia, should prove interesting and useful generally to Christian readers. I will say one word more :-I cannot disguise from myself that to common observers, Mr. Palmer was a man difficult to understand. No casual, nay, no mere acquaintance would have suspected what keen affections and what ener To getic enthusiasm lived under a grave, unimpassioned, and almost formal demeanour. unsympathetic or hostile visitors he was careless to defend, or even to explain, himself or his sayings and doings; and he let such men go away, indifferent what they might report or think of him. They would have been surprised to find that what in conversation they might think a paradox or conceit in him, was, whether a truth or an error, the deep sentiment and belief of a soul set upon realities and actuated by a severe conscientiousness. But, whatever might be the criticisms of those who saw him casually, no one who saw him much could be insensible to his many and winning virtues; to his simplicity, to his unselfishness, to his gentleness and patience, to his singular meekness, to his zeal for the Truth, and his honesty, whether in seeking or in defending it; and to his calmness and cheerfulness in pain, perplexity, and disappointment. However, I do not pretend to draw his character; apart from all personal attributes, he was to me a true and loyal friend, and his memory is very dear to me. BIRMINGHAM, Easter, 1882. J. H. N. P.S.-I add a notice of the principal dates of Mr. Palmer's life, taken from Dr. Bloxam's Register of Members of Magdalen College. William Palmer, 1811, July 12th, born. 1826, matriculated at Magdalen College. 1830, University (Chancellor's) Prize for Latin Verse. 1830, First Class in Classics. 1833, University (Chancellor's) Prize for Latin Essay. 1833-36; Tutor at the University of Durham. 1837-39, University (Oxford) Examiner. 1838-43, College (Magdalen) Tutor. 1855, received into the Catholic Church. 1879, April 5th, died at Rome. While this volume was passing through the press, I was grieved to read in the public prints a notice of the death of Mr. Blackmore, whose name occurs so often in it. He had taken a warm interest he only could, and looked for in my work, kindly aided me as ward to its perusal, when finished, as recalling various pleasant memories of a valued friend. a CONTENTS. I. Mr. Palmer contemplates a visit to Russia II. Dr. Routh sanctions the project. III. Difficulties with Magdalen College IV. Difficulties with the Primate 43 48 53 |