The following tale is not intended as a work of controversy in
behalf of the Catholic Religion; but as a description of what is
understood by few, viz. the course of thought and state of mind,—or
rather one such course and state,—which issues in conviction of its
Divine origin.
Nor is it founded on fact, to use the common phrase. It is not the
history of any individual mind among the recent converts to the
Catholic Church. The principal characters are imaginary; and the writer
wishes to disclaim personal allusion in any. It is with this view that
he has feigned ecclesiastical bodies and places, to avoid the chance,
which might otherwise occur, of unintentionally suggesting to the
reader real individuals, who were far from his thoughts.
At the same time, free use has been made of sayings and doings which
were characteristic of the time and place in which the scene is laid.
And, moreover, when, as in a tale, a general truth or fact is exhibited
in individual specimens of it, it is impossible that the ideal
representation should not more or less coincide, in spite of the
author's endeavour, or even without his recognition, with its existing
instances or champions.
It must also be added, to prevent a farther misconception, that no
proper representative is intended in this tale, of the religious
opinions which had lately so much influence in the University of
Oxford.
Feb. 21, 1848.