Part 52 (2/2)
In the case of poor creatures who make away with their illegitimate offspring in the agony of their trouble and shame, there were, in my experience, almost always to be found very strong reasons for commutation, even to very limited periods of imprisonment.
CHAPTER LI.
CARDINAL MANNING--”OUR CHAPEL.”
Cardinal Manning was a real friend to me, and I often spent an hour with him on a Sunday morning or afternoon discussing general topics.
At my request, when I had no thought of being converted to his Church, he marked in a book of prayers which he gave me several of his own selections, which I have carefully preserved; but I can truly say he never uttered one word, or made the least attempt, to proselytize me.
He left me to my own free, uncontrolled, and uncontrollable action. My reception into the Church of Rome was purely of my own free choice and will, and according to the exercise of my own judgment. I thought for myself, and acted for myself, or I should not have acted at all.
I have always been, and _am_, satisfied that I was right.
As to Cardinal Manning, his extreme good sense and toleration were my admiration at all times, and I shall venerate his memory as long as I live. His kindness was unbounded.
It was after his death, which was a great shock to me, that I was received into the Church by the late Cardinal Vaughan.
When the latter was showing Lady Brampton and myself over that beautiful structure, the new Westminster Cathedral, I thought I should like to erect a memorial chapel, and made a proposal to that effect.
We resolved to dedicate it to St. Gregory and St. Augustine. It was afterwards called ”Our Chapel.”
The stonework was accordingly proceeded with, and afterwards the plans for decoration were submitted to the Archbishop and myself. For these decorations I subscribed a portion. The rest of the work was our own, and we have the satisfaction of feeling that Our Chapel is erected to the honour and glory of G.o.d.
The style of decoration adopted is Byzantine. The walls are embellished with many and various beautiful marbles. The eastern side has a representation of Pope Gregory sending St. Augustine with his followers to preach the gospel in England. Another scene is St.
Augustine's reception by King Ethelbert and Queen Bertha in the Isle of Thanet.
The panels of the reredos contain pictures of St. Gregory and St.
Augustine, with their four contemporaries, St. Paulinus, St. Justus (Bishop of Rochester), St. Laurentius, and St. Mellitus (Bishop of London).
On the north are figures of St. Edmund, St. Osbald, and the Venerable Bede; while opposite are St. Wilfred, St. Cuthbert, and St. Benedict.
On the west are St. John the Baptist and St. Augustine, and below these, figures of women pouring water from pitchers, symbolical of the river Jordan.
Under the arch of this side are most artistically designed panels containing the names of the four rivers of Paradise.
The floor is inlaid, and the windows, which are of opalescent gla.s.s, throw over the structure a soft white light, admitting of the perfect harmony of colours which everywhere adorn this very beautiful chapel.
Almost all whose names I have mentioned in these reminiscences are gone. There are many others equally dear about whom I cannot for want of time and s.p.a.ce write here; most of them have also pa.s.sed away.
They can no longer sing the old songs, or tell the old tales, but their memory remains, and the pleasant melody of their lives. I enjoy their companions.h.i.+p now in the quietude of my home, and their memory brightens even the sweet twilight of the evening hours. But it all reminds me that the signal has been given to ring the curtain down.
I therefore make a last and momentary appearance in the closing drama, only to bid all and every one with whom I have been a.s.sociated in times past and in times recent, as the curtain falls,
AN AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL.
<script>