I dare not presume that there will not be many contradio tions to so large a volume, in which every sentence, and fre~ quently each clause of a sentence, is a judgment on matters about which all pious Catholics have a more or less formed opinion. But so generous a measure of indulgence has been dealt to me before, that I cannot persuade myself it will now be altogether withdrawn, especially as the book will not be found to contain one intentional word or unfavorable criticism either of men or things. This is my only boast. For the rest, I have done no more than try to harmonize the ancient and modern spirituality of the Church, with somewhat perhaps of a propen sion to the first, and to put it before English Catholics in an English shape, translated into native thought and feeling, as well as language.