# DOUAT I60S +1 Downside isw ACTON BURNELL 1795^ EDICATED TO ALL GREGORIANS PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE 333 PREFACE It is with considerable diffidence that I offer for the accept- ance of loyal Gregorians this history of the school attached to Downside Abbey, for I am only too well aware of its shortcomings. A note of warning, however, may serve to secure indulgence at the hands of those who, not having experienced the difficulties attending research where the materials are scattered and scanty, may not realise the nature of the obstacles that have plentifully beset my path, nor the time that has had to be spent in attaining results which, after all, may possibly be characterised as inadequate. It is safe to say that ten years ago the task of compiling this History would have been impossible ; now, what measure of success may rew^ard the present effort must be largely ascribed to the enthusiastic labours of those whose collections made during the past decade have been placed at my disposal, and whose help and advice guided me to sources of information in widely separated localities, whence I have secured transcripts of documents which now go to increase our growing collection of materials. I refer in an especial manner to the Right. Rev. Abbot Gasquet, Abbot-President of the English congregation of the Black Monks of St. Benedict; Dom Gilbert Dolan, O.S.B. ; and Mr. Edmund Bishop. PREFACE Criticism of the results here puWished may take other and many forms ; but by a word of explanation I hope to forestall two objections that might be raised. Some might find grounds for accusing me of pedantry, because throughout, but at least consistently, I speak of St. Gregory's as a school and not as a college^ whereas from the first till now, in all official documents, it has been styled a college. But for all that, the term is a misnomer. In technical scholastic language a college is one of the corporate bodies which together form a university ; and thus we rightly speak of Oriel College, Oxford, or of St. John's College, Cambridge. Or a college may be a corporate body existing outside a university, which maintains a provost and fellows. Such a constitution is enjoyed by Eton, which is thus properly called a college. But we speak of Harrow, Felsted, Uppingham, Winchester, Sherborne, and Blundell's as schools. Modern foundations, however, have begun to arrogate to themselves the more sonorous term of college, and so w^e have Marlborough, Wellington, and Clifton Colleges. Stonyhurst, and Ushaw, and St. Edmund's, Ware, may have good reasons for calling themselves colleges. I would not venture to traverse their use of the term ; but I suspect the practice merely dates back to the days of exile, and is but a literal translation of collegium or college ; and in France and other parts of Continental Europe, college is used to include schools occupied with rudimentary studies, and receiving children as pupils. In our case, however, as it has been pointed out to me, the practice is not so defensible, for St. Gregory's Monastery alone might be likened to a university college (as it actually was in Douay), wherein the abbot PREFACE represents the provost, and the monks the fellows in the enjoyment of their freehold ; but the secondary educational department is merely attached to the monastery, and the monks happen to find employment therein ; but from that employment they are removable on the mere order of the superior. On advice, therefore, to which I defer, I ven- ture throughout the following pages to name the educational establishment attached to St. Gregory's Monastery a school. In the same spirit, the old-fashioned custom of calling the teachers professors., which in speech, though not always in writing, has died out for many years, has been abandoned in favour of the more correct form of masters^ thus bringing ourselves into line with the general usage in England. The other point to which I would refer is the spelling I have adopted for the name of the town that harboured St. Gregory's for nearly two centuries. It is well known that in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries all English Catholics spoke and wrote of the university town of Doway. At the present day, the modern French form is adhered to, and we write of St. Edmund's Abbey, Douai. But the present French form has its objections when the reference is wholly to a period when the French them-selves substituted y for // and the original Anghcised form Doway has been long obsolete. In Spanish, the form was Duay^ and it thus occurs in large numbers of seventeenth-century documents. On the strength of the almost universal prevalence of the use of Douay for many decades before the abandonment of the British estab- lishments of that town in 1793, and for many of the early years of the nineteenth century, when those who had been PREFACE brought up there invariably used that form of spelling, I have thought it best to adopt that form of orthography as a com- promise between ancient and modern usage, and for the sake of uniformity to employ it throughout, except in direct quota- tions, relying upon the authority of a mass of documents in the Downside archives. Some few weeks ago an admirable article appeared in the Spectator^ on what the writer designated the "freemasonry" existing amongst schoolboys, and particularly between mem- bers of the same school. By this term he signalised the *' spirit " — that indefinable somethiui^ — which a boy seems to catch from association with others in an old-established school. All schools, it is true, have much in common ; all boys have very much the same ideals and very much the same way of looking at the world as a whole. But the "spirit" which exists in a particular school — the nameless link between its members — is, of course, more intimate, and, in a way, more precise than that which is common to all. Tradition is one of the main factors — perhaps the main factor — in the creation of this "spirit." The importance of fostering such a spirit cannot be doubted. When members of the same school meet in after-life, it is the knowledge that each has shared the experience of the other, and takes the same pleasure in the remembrance of the same tradi- tions, that establishes at once an easy basis of comradeship. To promote this spirit in regard to Gregorians has been my main object in preparing this history of Downside School. I have, therefore, primarily addressed myself, more particularly in the last three chapters of the book, to all who have received PREFACE their education there. It is, first and foremost, knowledge of the past that cannot fail to engender pride in a common son- ship, as it is the inheritance of a common tradition that draws all Gregorians together. I have not hesitated to borrow and adapt freely from several articles in the Doivnside Review which contributed in any way to the history of the school, and I here gratefully acknowledge my general indebtedness to those by whose previous labours I have thus profited. My best thanks are due to the Right Rev. T. B. Snow, titular Abbot of Glastonbury, and to Dom E. C. Butler, O.S.B., for much valued help and advice ; and to Dom Philip Whiteside, O.S.B., to whose skilful manipulation of the camera most of the illustrations are due. H. N. B. CONTENTS CHAP. PAGE I. Beginnings and Early Days ... i II. House Chronicle during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries ... 25 III. Inner Life at Old St. Gregory's in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Cen- turies 68 IV. The Abandonment of Douay, i 792-1 795 . 99 V. Acton Burnell, 1795-1814 .... 123 VI. Downside, 1814-1830 157 VII. The Development of St. Gregory's during the Nineteenth Century . . . 206 VIII. Institutions, Customs, and Games . . 250 IX. Gregorian Worthies: Men who have helped to make St. Gregory's; and Men whom St. Gregory's has helped to make . 315 APPENDIX List of Priors or Headmasters of St. Gregory's 349 INDEX 351 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Philip de Caverel .... Facade of Old St. Gregory's, Doiiay . Map of the City of Dotiay, dated 1627 Old St. Gregory's, Doiiay (1627) Old St. Gregory's, Doiiay (1789) School Buildings from the N.E. In the Shrubberies .... A View across the North Transept Acton Burnell Hall School Buildings, shewinc^ the " Old House " in the For The Old Chapel, now the Museum General View of School Buildings The 1854 Quadrangle The Study-Room .... Downside Abbey and the Petre Cloister The Boys' Dining-Hall . The North Transept Path leading from the Playground to the Bathing Pond The "Palace,'" shewing the Stage School Cloisters .... The Petre Swimming Bath The Petre Library .... Cricket Ground and Pavilion The Ball-Place .... Dom Leander de Sto. Martino . Page • Frontisf'iece II facing 25 . 27 facint^ 57 67 facing 68 107 130 ■eground 183 facing 190 facing 206 222 facing 224 • 232 facing 234 facing 239 . 241 . 271 275 facing 278 facing 281 . 301 305 331 CHAPTER I BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS Preliminary explanations — Commencement of the school — The first boys — The reconstruction of the school list. St. Gregory's School — now for close on one hundred years at Downside, near Bath, previously at Acton Burnell in Shrop- shire, and at Douay in Flanders — has, during the three cen- turies of its existence, been always attached to St. Gregory's Monastery. There is no need to give a full and minute account of the foundation of the monastery; but some re- ference to it is necessary, to enable those who have no acquaintance, or only a slight one, with the school, to under- stand terms which will constantly recur during the course of the narrative; and which, unless explained, may mystify if not mislead the uninitiated. Elizabeth came to the throne of England in 1558, and at once threw in her lot with that of the Reformers. As year after year wore on, and the measures to stamp out the Catholic faith increased in number and severity, counter-measures be- came imperative to avert the total extinction of the faith. The need produced the man, and Cardinal Allen founded a school abroad for the training of priests to fill up the rapidly dwindling ranks of the old clergy. In course of time, as the education of Catholic children became more and more a matter of impossibility at home, other schools were founded abroad, with their scope enlarged so as to include lay scholars. The I A DOWNSIDE SCHOOL schools in England were closed to the children of Catholics, and statutes made it penal to harbour a Catholic tutor, so that if an educated Catholic laity was to be preserved their edu- cation could only be obtained abroad. It was equally penal for Catholics to send their children across the seas ; but, as public and private records shew, every danger was braved, every expedient adopted, to prevent the extinction of the lamp of faith in the spes gregts. The English schools abroad, therefore, were opened to lay scholars as well as to those who had dedicated themselves to an ecclesiastical career. But the sons of St. Benedict had as yet no part in the good work. The ancient order which had flourished exceedingly in the olden days in England had dwindled down by the end of Elizabeth's reign to two or three old and enfeebled repre- sentatives. The only known survivor, the Venerable Dom Sigebert Buckley, had been professed at Westminster during its short-lived restoration under Queen Mary, and throughout Elizabeth's long reign had endured an unremitted martyrdom of imprisonment. As years rolled by, many secular priests yearned for the old Order of St. Benedict, which was entwined in the history of England, and whose traditions and spirit were so racy of the soil. Several entered its ranks in foreign monasteries, and early in the seventeenth century the number of these English monks was largely augmented by accessions of scholars from different colleges, that of Valladolid furnishing by far the largest contingent. These Englishmen, under the jurisdiction of foreign superiors, and belonging, by their pro- fession, to foreign branches of the order, felt that from where they themselves had found security they could afford no help- to their persecuted countrymen at home. And yet England was their natural sphere of labour by every tie of tradition, blood, and love ; and to say nothing of the tugging of their own heart-strings, their sorely-stricken countrymen were be- seeching them, saying, like the man of Macedonia, " pass over BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS and help us." These mutual longings resulted in certain Englishmen professed in Italy and Spain obtaining leave in 1603 to proceed to the English mission; and later, two secular priests who received the Benedictine habit from them were affiliated to the ancient English congregation, thus secur- ing the continuity. Certain fathers, also, principally Dom Augustine Bradshaw, alias White, and the Venerable Dom John Roberts, or de Mervinia, resolved to found a monastery where they could gather together their English brethren, till then scattered in various monasteries throughout Spain. Hence they founded a community late in 1605, selecting for its site Douay, a university town much frequented by English recusants and " fugitives," where Cardinal Allen's famous English College of the secular clergy was already established. In spite of much unworthy misrepresentation and opposition, they finally overcame all obstacles, and, by the munificent charity and liberality of Dom Philip de Caverel, Abbot of St. Vaast's at Arras, were provided with a monastery, dedicated to St. Gregory the Great, into which they moved in the October of 161 1. On the 15th of the same month the Chap- ter of Arras, in which diocese the city of Douay was then situated, granted a licence upon the petition of Dom Brad- shaw, the prior, for the transfer of the convent from its temporary premises to the new buildings, with the right to celebrate the Divine Office publicly, erect altars, ring bells, &c. Soon after this first estabhshment in Douay these English monks founded another house at Dieulouard in Lorraine, a third at Paris, with a cell at Chelles, and later added yet others at Lambspring and Rintelin in Westphalia, and at St. Malo in Brittany. These houses, all under one common jurisdiction, formed the " English congregation " of the Black Monks of St. Benedict. Moreover, they constituted the real continua- tion and were the actual representatives of the ancient Eng- lish congregation consisting of the abbeys and houses and 3 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL cathedral chapters which covered the land before Henry VIII. 's suppression of the monasteries. The term "con- gregation," as applied to the Benedictine form of religious life, may be best explained by the briefest summary of the Right Rev. Abbot Gasquet's "Introduction" to the latest English edition of Montalembert's Motiks of the West. In the ordinary course of human affairs great and wide- reaching results are achieved by the concentrated effort of a directed organisation ; and yet on a review of the enduring impress which Benedictines have made on the religious and social history of Europe, it is remarkable that these results have been attained without definite organisation. There can be no doubt that St. Benedict clearly meant that the mode of life he instituted should exist for its own sake, and by so doing distinguishing it from what may be called specifically the religious orders which have essentially some special work or aim, demanding special views, special systems of training, special spiritual and scientific methods. But St. Benedict left it to the discretion of local superiors to suit his directive regulations to local wants, for it looks as if he foresaw that his institute was to spread to other lands, and be under conditions wholly different from those of his native Italy. This adaptability to new sur- roundings is a marked characteristic of Benedictinism ; and few things in ecclesiastical history are so noticeable as the perpetual renewal of the Benedictine spirit, springing up within the order itself under various forms. The genius of Cardinal Newman has caught the very spirit of St. Bene- dict's followers, as manifested in the history of the past, when he recognises that the spirit of St. Benedict's Order is "ever one, but not its outward circumstances. It is not ... in form one and the same everywhere and from first to last . . . but it is an organisation, diverse, complex, and irregular, and variously ramified, rich rather than sym- 4 BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS metrical, with many origins and centres and new beginnings and the action of local influences, like some great natural growth. . . . Instead of progressing on plan and system, and from the will of a superior, it has shot forth and run out as if spontaneously, and has shaped itself according to events, from an irrepressible fulness of life within, and from the energetic self-action of its parts. . . ." One of these manifestations was that of the Cluniac system ; that is, the dependence of a number of houses upon one central house. A recoil from this system arose in the first half of the twelfth century, by the introduction of a certain union and mutual support between separate houses, which was more in accordance with the real spirit of St. Benedict, who intended each house to be a separate unit, based on the idea of the family with its own in- dependent head — the father of the family. The abbots of a number of monasteries, therefore, while retaining their independence, arranged spontaneously, that is, not compelled by external authority, to meet together in chapter for mutual counsel and support. In the fourth Lateran Council, held under Innocent III. in 12 15, a canon was promulgated approving of the purpose of these voluntary meetings; and recognising their good results, the Pope enjoined that similar groups of superiors should be formed in every country. The English Benedictines at once adopted and followed these provisions, carrying them out with regularity up to the time of the suppression of their houses. But the English monks alone appear immediately to have taken the Council seriously, and thus the English monasteries were the first to form themselves into a national " congregation," and hence take their place, and are acknowledged to rank as the most ancient of all the congregations of which the Benedictine Order is to-day composed. When the English congregation was revived in 1605 it 5 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL derived its connection and identity with the pre-Reformation body through the only surviving member, Dom Sigebert Buckley, and it was re-established with the avowed purpose of labouring for the restoration of its country to the unity of the faith. The conditions that faced the revived congregation were wholly different from those of Catholic times, and needed corresponding changes, especially in the mode of government. A brief sketch of these will make certain references in the following pages intelligible. A distinctive feature in the structure of the restored congregation was the separation of the " missioners," those who were actually at work for the good of souls in England, and their erection into corporate bodies distinct from the monasteries of their profession abroad, as long as they should be so employed. This was a new departure in Benedictine life, and, by the special sanction of the Holy See, was adopted as the best means under the peculiar circumstances of the time for carrying out the arduous work ; for it was realised that the fathers in England could not be conveniently ruled and superintended by the superiors of their houses of profession, considering the distance and the extreme difficulty of communication. These distinct corporate bodies in England were called the Provinces of Canterbury and York, named after, and corresponding in extent with, the pre-Reformation ecclesiastical division of England, which is retained to this day by the Established Church. Each pro- vince was presided over by a prelate termed a " provincial," whose authority and jurisdiction over his subjects was the same as that of an abbot or prior over his monastery. Over the whole congregation, composed of the various houses abroad and of the provinces, was the president-general, the superior of superiors, who held the highest position of honour and jurisdiction. Another distinctive feature adopted in the seventeenth century was that of temporary superiors instead of superiors for life, so that all offices were held only from one 6 BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS general chapter to the next, a period of four years, and each of these periods was known as a " quadriennium." These departures from normal Benedictine lines of govern- ment were necessary under special, peculiar, and abnormal conditions. With the return of the monasteries to England, and the introduction of rapid communication, the existence of pro- vinces and the office of provincial were no longer either necessary or advisable, so that the Holy See directed a return to pre- Reformation ideals. In 1891 the provinces were abolished, and the missions were divided between the existing houses, whose superiors at the same time took over the duties hitherto discharged by the provincials. This slight sketch of the monastic internal economy of the English Benedictine congregation will put the reader in possession of all the information necessary to understand the references in the following pages. As soon as the English monks were solidly established in Douay, their reputation for learning was recognised, and they were at once called upon to provide professors of philosophy for Marchienne College in that town, and to occupy Chairs in the University. Under these circumstances also it is not surprising that English parents naturally desired to entrust their sons to the training of the English monks. The actual foundation or starting-point of the school attached to St. Gregory's Monastery is unfortunately lost in obscurity ; most of the archives of St. Gregory's perished or disappeared in the pillage and confusion of the French Re- volution, and it is to be feared that small chance remains of recovering the information they would have yielded, except piecemeal, here and there, from other sources. The bulk of the papers belonging to St. Gregory's was entrusted to a w^orthy citizen of Douay for safe keeping ; but, in the height of the disorders, the custodian, thinking that the documents 7 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL might compromise him with the revolutionary authorities, rid himself of them by making a bonfire in his garden. It is, therefore, impossible to assign, as in the case of the great English secular college at Douay, the precise day or even year for the commencement of St. Gregory's honourable career as a school ; we can only approximately fix the date. And here we get help from a very unexpected quarter. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries paid spies and in- formers of the English Government, under pretence of con- version, obtained admission to the various English schools abroad. After having learnt whatever they could about the inmates — their names, families, conditions, and destinations — they returned home, and either under plea of re-conversion to Protestantism, or simply appearing in their true colours, they gave such information as they chose. Lewis Owen, one of these contemptible though dangerous rascals, published an account of what he claimed to have picked up in this fashion. He entitled his book, " The Runnmg Register : recording a True Relation of the English Colledges, Seminaries^ and Cloisters in all Forain Parts. Together with a Briefe and Compendious Discourse of the Lives, Practices, Coozenages, Pnpostures, and Deceits of all our English Monks, Friers, Jesuits, and Seminarie Priests in generall. By Lewis Owen. 1626." Such a source of information, vitiated by all manner of lies, must be looked upon with considerable suspicion and distrust ; and, indeed, most of Lewis Owen's lucubrations impugn their own veracity. In dealing with St. Gregory's, however, Lewis Owen may be to a certain degree trusted, for he was the brother-in-law of one of our founders, having married Blanche, the sister of the Venerable Dom John Roberts, and when writing of Fr. Roberts and his doings, he betrays a certain pride in recounting matters connected with his relative's career, and consequently treats St. Gregory's with an un- BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS wonted degree of tenderness : in his allusions to its history there is on the whole a marked abstention from the abuse which he so freely flung upon others, notably upon those who offered opposition to his brother-in-law. Writing in or before 1626, Lewis Owen informs his readers in the pages of the Running Register that St. Gregory's community " have many scholars which are beneficial unto them, and many gentlemen's sons (which are their friends and benefactors in England) do diet in the cloisters, but not in the same part where the monks live, but in the other side of the cloister." He further states that " they receive every year ten or twelve young students into their order, and send as many monks, when they are made priests, into England." It will be perceived that Owen does not state whether all these boys were intending to be monks, or how many of them were lay scholars. In the former supposition ten or twelve would be too high a number ; but if he referred only to the lay school, it was probably near the mark. But working backwards from Owen's statement, we may appeal to other evidence. In the year 1625 questions arose between the community of St. Gregory's and Abbot Caverel concerning contemplated additions and improvements to the property and buildings; and the prior, Dom Leander de Sto. Martino (Jones) re- fers to the cellulae (small rooms) " for our young English boarders." Father Rudesind Barlow, the president-general of the English Benedictines, makes an interesting reference to the school in a letter written in Spanish not earlier than August 8, 1624, to the general of the Spanish congregation of Valladolid. The original is here rendered in English : " The Lord Abbot of St. Vedast at Arras gives us yearly a pension of 8000 reals, and the novices, who are all sons of knights or gentlemen, bring with them enough for their support, but in 9 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL many cases their parents in England lose all their possessions on account of being Catholics, and then we suffer here. The said abbot also gives us free use of a new house, wherein is room for fifty monks and as many youths of good family {gentilhombres maiorasgos), who come to learn Latin, singing, and music, and then return to their own country." In another part of the same letter Fr. Barlow gives a glimpse of the dangers and difficulties that sur- rounded the sending of English children abroad for their edu- cation. Describing the persecution then raging in England, he states that " lately," as one of the fathers (unfortunately not named) was going over with four youths for St. Gregory's and as many young ladies for Cambray, the whole party was captured, and all of them were put in gaol for a considerable time until they paid a fine of 6000 reals to obtain their freedom. In an inventory drawn up for the inspection of the president- general, in October 1622, mention is made of a "Schollers* Refectorie," distinct from that used by the monks, containing " two longe tables ; one short one ; one cubbord ; twentifore cups ; thirtie spones ; five salt sellers ; a lamp ; three formes ; four trenchers to set pots on." That the " schollers " were lay students is clear from the fact that in other inventories their refectory is called "the secular refectory" and "the secular students' refectory," and in the acts of the English Benedictine Chapter, in 1641, they are spoken of as nobiles comme?isaks. On the 20th of October 1619, on the occasion of the solemn acceptance of Abbot Caverel's foundation for St. Gregory's, Fr. Leander Jones, then president-general of the English Benedictines, made the following statement: "Nor in truth have you, most beloved patron and most religious fathers, extended your benefits to those of your own age only, but you have assisted our poverty by a large annual revenue for all future time for ever. Aided and supported by this BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS great help, we maintain, in the magnificent buildings of your college at Douay, a community of four-and-twenty monks and some forty countrymen, exiles for the Catholic faith . . . and with overflowing liberality [you] have hitherto supported, and do still support in your house a hundred of God's servants disinherited and exiled from their own nation." If we put aside the twenty- four monks, there remain seventy-five or seventy- six of whom we should wish to learn very pre- cise and minute details. One thing, however, is clear : that with the monks there dwelt within the walls of St. Gregory's forty " coun- trymen, exiles for the faith." These without doubt were convictores, scholars living under the same roof; and the floating balance of thirty - six represents servants or poverty- stricken pensioners — Englishmen who had lost their all for conscience' sake when they forsook their native land. About this same period also we find another reference to the school at St. Gregory's; for on July 9, 16 18, Fr. Leander Jones, writing to their patron. Abbot Caverel, says: " Necessity compels us to have as boarders with us some English youths committed to our care, whom their parents confide to us FACADE OF OLD ST: GREGORY S, DOUAY {From a jiiodel made before its demolition) DOWNSIDE SCHOOL solely for the purpose of being brought up in good manners and learning." Earlier still, in the September of 1614, a letter was drawn up by the monks of Douay for transmission to the president of the Valladolid congregation of Benedictines. This prelate was accepted as the "general" of the Anglo-Spanish monks in consideration of the large-minded liberality shewn by the superiors of the sister Spanish congregation in the share they took in the re-establishment of the ancient English congre- gation. Those who signed this document appended to their names the offices which they then held ; and, amongst the rest, Fr. Thomas Green described himself as " Collegii Gregoriani Hegens, et S. Theologiae Licetitiatus.^^ It may be of interest to mention that this degree of " Licentiate " had been obtained at Pont-k-Mousson University, and the original certificate of its bestowal, or rather, of the conferring of the " Baccalaureate," is extant amongst the Silos MSS. In several documents of the period Fr. Thomas Green styles himself in this fashion, " Rector of the College," and his post is not to be confounded with the rectorship of Marchienne College, held both before, during, and after tiie same time by Fr. John Barnes. From the instances here adduced, it is clear that by 1625 a school was well established at St. Gregory's. It is an ascertained fact that no sooner had other Catholic schools been opened abroad, whether the secular college at Douay or the Jesuit colleges at St. Omers or Valladolid, than numbers flocked to their doors, and taxed to its fullest capacity the accommodation they provided. St. Gregory's School came into the field after the most pressing and urgent demands had been met, and therefore could not be expected to fill up so rapidly. Hence, if it could muster thirty-six or forty students within its walls by 1625, it must have enjoyed a vigorous existence for some time before that date. Although its size might appear insignificant if measured by modern BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS standards, or even by its contemporary rivals, yet, taking all things into account, it would be reckoned a no mean establishment for the period, and one which must have taken some years to work up to the pitch of prosperity it had then attained. Amongst our archives is preserved a book known as the Liber Graduum. In this volume are registered the dates of the taking of the habit, the profession, and other events in the careers of the monks of St. Gregory's. The entries in the earlier years are merely copies, but duly-attested copies, from a yet older book, or possibly from loose sheets. Every page so copied is separately certified to be an exact transcript of the original. Among the earliest entries may be read the follow- ing : " R. F. Paulinus Greenwood de Brentwood Essexiae. Suscepit habitum sub R. P. Augustino de S. Joanne circa mensem Decembris, anno 1611 : professionem primus emisit in hac domo Sti. Gregorii, &c., &c. Unus ex alumnis ordinariis hujus domus." Thus, Fr. Paulinus Greenwood, who was the first to receive the Benedictine habit and to make his monastic profession in the new buildings, is here definitely stated to have been " one of the ordinary students " of the house. To have received the habit at the end of the year 161 1, he must have been at Douay for at least one, and more probably two or three years, so that we get with some certainty to the year 1608 as the date of. the beginning of St. Gregory's School. We shall now endeavour to ascertain who were the boys entrusted to the care of the monks. The lists are lost, and any result can only be obtained by a minute process of investigation. For some kind of rough reconstruction we have, after 1666, account books which yield about 700 names : but from many indications, it is clear that the roll so obtained is not exhaustive. The " sodality book," of which more presently, supplements, but does not complete this list. 13 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL For the earlier period only vague ideas can be formed, leading to merely tentative results and surmises. At least two early names have survived. In 1633 Dom Augustine Baker, a saintly religious affiliated to the monastery of St. Lawrence, but never in residence there, was summoned to Douay from his post of confessor to the Benedictine nuns at Cambray, which he had filled for nine years, to become a conventual at St. Gregory's. Dom Cressy, in his Life of Fr. Baker ^ records that two boys derived much benefit from Fr. Baker's guidance. I'heir names were Francis Gascoigne and Joseph Errington. At that period only two schools in Flanders were available for the sons of English Catholics : Cardinal Allen's founda- tion in Douay, and the college of the Jesuit fathers at St. Omers. The school lists of these two establishments fortunately exist. The names of known Catholics and family names which do not occur on the matriculae of these two schools, or on those of Rome, Valladolid, or Seville, will furnish some clue to the identification of our students, more especially if such names or families can be recognised as " affecting " the Black Monks of St. Benedict, or as those whose sons joined that order. The results, at least up to 1666, can be but tentative, and liable to future correction by addition or subtraction. By the process here indicated and outlined, a starting point will have been found, from which further successful researches may be made. The apparatus has yet, in a large measure, to be created, and until this has been done, the construction of a catalogue of Alumni Duaceno- Gregoriani must remain in abeyance. We may fairly surmise that many of those who became English Benedictines, and especially those professed for St. Gregory's, and whose names are absent from other school lists, or whose place of education cannot otherwise be identified, were boys who received a vocation to the 14 BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS Benedictine life while under the care and training of the monks of St. Gregory's. Little distinction need be made between monks of St. Gregory's and those professed for other houses of the congregation up to about 1680, for it is known that for some time St. Gregory's supplied its sister houses with vocations. It is difficult to determine whether the selection of a house of profession was a matter of choice only, or whether in the earlier days certain boys were not educated at Douay for one of the other houses. Take the case of the monastery of St. Lawrence at Dieulouard, in Lor- raine. St. Gregory's, immediately after its foundation, met with violent opposition : influence was brought to bear upon the archdukes, the nuncio, and even the Pope, for its suppres- sion or expulsion ; the position of the monks was rendered intolerable, so as to provoke voluntary departure or forcible ejectment. These machinations were so nearly successful, and so hopeless did the position of the monks at one time appear, that Fr. Bradshaw, then superior, felt constrained to look out for some other spot to which the community might retire, and be permitted by their implacable opponents to follow their vocation unmolested. In these straits he heard of the possibility of obtaining as a gift the old church of St. Lawrence, at Dieulouard, in Lorraine. He lost no time in making application for it, and with such success that by the end of 1606 the necessary legal formalities had all been com- pleted, and the property passed into the hands of the monks of Douay. Here, through Fr. Bradshaw's foresight and determination, they felt that they had a place of refuge in case they should be, after all, turned out of Douay, for at Dieulouard they would come under the patronage and protec- tion of Charles of Lorraine, Archbishop of Nancy, who shewed himself to be friendly towards them. No further steps, how- ever, were taken at the time to make a start at Dieulouard, for the monks had no intention of abandoning their house at 15 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Douay unless actually forced to do so, and meanwhile con- tested for their right to stay. The dispute, which had gone for arbitration to Rome, took long in settlement ; and the delay made the monks fear that after all they might have to leave Douay, so they determined to make a beginning at Dieulouard, and commenced conventual life there on August 9, 1608. In the December of the same year the establish- ment of Douay was confirmed by Papal decree, renewed in the April of 1609. The strength, vigour, and earnestness of the reviving congregation was found equal to the task of continuing the new foundation at Dieulouard, and the opposi- tion thus defeated its own ends ; for in place of extinction it brought expansion. The development of this sister house is no part of the history of St. Gregory's ; St. Lawrence's struck its roots deep in a congenial soil, and pursued its course with varying fortune till the French Revolution drove away the community, which, after many vicissitudes, became finally settled at Ampleforth, in Yorkshire, where it has fructified and flourishes. Until a few years before its ejection from Dieulouard, St. Lawrence's had no school in the ordinary acceptance of the term. The summaries of the condition of St. Lawrence's, drawn up for the information of the president and the general chapter, are still in existence : they commence about 1632, and continue almost unbroken to 1784. The highest number of scholars recorded in these interesting returns was reached in 1780, when eleven were in residence: the general average does not exceed two or three. To assign any unclaimed schoolboys of the seventeenth century to St. Lawrence's is, therefore, practically out of the question ; and the same conclusion applies to St. Edmund's house in Paris. Hence, we may assume, as a working hypothesis, that when the names of monks at St. Lawrence's or at St. Ed- mund's are the same as those of monks who belonged to St. Gregory's, they may have been educated at the last-named 16 BEGINNINGS AND EARLY DAYS place with their relatives. This supposition becomes still more probable when the choice of the religious name indi- cates a link of affection and kindly recollection, as in the cases of Gregory Hesketh and Gregory Helme. A docu- ment of a somewhat later period still further strengthens these surmises, and brings out an interesting and important fact. A sodality of the Blessed Virgin was erected at St. Gregory's in 1678. The matriculaj or book of enrolment, of the sodality fortunately remains, and preserves to us the names, with the actual date of admission of each sodalist, from 1695 to about 1828. Several are registered who were admitted before 1695, but without the exact date of entry ; these details may possibly have been in an earlier book now lost. The total number of entries is 553 ; and by a careful collation of the names con- tained therein with those in the necrology, or death-roll, of the EngUsh Benedictine congregation, the following important results are obtained. At the time of their enrolment nine of the sodalists were already either priests or lay brothers, while 103 who afterwards became monks, were boys in St. Gregory's School at the time of their admission to the sodality. This gives a total of 112, or less than one-fifth of the school as constituting the ecclesiastical element, leaving more than four-fifths for a purely lay element. Moreover, this fifth over- estimates the distinctly ecclesiastical element, for it comprises those who may have gone through their school course with no intention of entering the ecclesiastical or monastic state, and yet in the end did so. In other words, St. Gregory's was primarily a lay school ; and this point must be borne in mind throughout. Further inferences can be drawn from the sodality book, as may be seen from the following examples, selected more or less at random. The book furnishes the names of two Hadleys, brothers — Joseph, professed at St. Gregory's, and Edward, a layman — but it does not contain the name of 17 B DOWNSIDE SCHOOL another brother, John, who was also professed for St Gregory's, and there can be no reasonable doubt that he too had been a Gregorian student before putting on the cowl of St. Benedict. Dom William Cuthbert Hutton (or Salvin) became a sodalist, and later, in 1685, joined the community; he died in 1702. It is not too much to suppose that two nephews, both pro- fessed for Lambspring — namely, Dom William Bede, in 1713, and Dom Thomas Placid, in 17 14 — had, like their uncle, been at St. Gregory's for their education. This surmise is strength- ened by the presence of other members of the same family in the school at a still later date, pointing to a connection during a long term of years of this influential Durham family with St. Gregory's. We have no particulars of the previous career of Joseph Starkey (or Hanmer), professed at Douay in 1703; but it seems almost certain that he was the younger brother of James Hanmer, who was admitted into the sodality ante 1695, and hence, like his brother, would have been a boy in the school. The sodality lists contain the names of two Lacons — Richard, admitted in 1753, ^"^^^KXi\2^^ Secretaire. "Ce 23 Dec, 1769." These indorsements certify that the need really existed, and that the Arras monks had satisfied themselves of it; 55 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL for they by no means invariably granted the requests made of them by their Douay proteges. Though the actual en- joyment of their constant benefactions to us has been swept away in the whirlpool of the French Revolution, and though the Arras community itself disappeared in the same cata- clysm, yet the lively sense of gratitude towards these bene- factors of the past will never be permitted to die out so long as St. Gregory's shall last. The Douay community proceeded to raise additional funds by means of collections made in England during the year 1769 ; and, as a book of benefactors preserved in the Down- side archives shews, the numerous friends of the house, when thus appealed to, freely and generously responded, so that early in the year 1770 the prior and his council were in a position to justify them in commencing building operations. Accordingly, on February 10, they drew up a formal docu- ment, undertaking to comply with the conditions attached to their acceptance of 5500 livres (equivalent in our money to about ;£"48oo) from St. Vaast towards the new edifice. The document contains precise details regarding the posi- tion of certain parts of the school buildings as then existing, and from it we learn that there was a small block, situated at the angle formed by the Rue St. Albin and the Rue St. Benoit, set apart for class-rooms, and another running from the back of the main front, parallel with the Rue St. Albin, which was reserved for the use of the sodality. The main condition provided that for the future the Arras community were no longer to be held liable for repairs as hitherto ; nevertheless, their permission would have to be obtained for future rebuilding as distinct from repairs. When the handsome donation from Arras had been received. Prior Moore wrote a letter to the Abbot of Arras expressive of the gratitude of the Douay fathers, of which the following is a translation : — 56 HOUSE CHRONICLE, 1605-1793 "DOUAY, February i6, 1770. "Sir, — Since I had the honour of seeing you at your abbey, I have been obliged to make another journey; and the engagements of our president have not permitted of his coming here till the last few days. This will explain why I have not been able up to now to thank you for all the good- ness you have shewn us, and to acquaint you with the sense of gratitude with which Monseigneur the Bishop of Niba (Lawrence York), our president, and the entire community here are filled, on account of the promptitude and alacrity which your benevolence has shewn for the preservation of our establishment in the necessity in which we find ourselves of rebuilding our college. Permit me the honour, therefore, of assuring you of the testimony of gratitude which will be yours not only from us, but from those who will follow us in ages yet to come. I have the honour to be, with profound respect, sir, your very humble and obedient servant, (Signed) " Dom Moore." Nothing now prevented an immediate start upon the work of rebuilding, and a Mons. Merville, an architect of Douay, was instructed to draw out plans. His labours resulted in the block that stands to this day, now occupied by the com- munity of St. Edmund's, previous to the French Revolution at Paris, and by the school conducted by them. M. Merville's elevation with an alternative sketch for the central bay, sur- vives in the archives at Downside. It is a plain, solid structure of red brick, with stone dressings, in the free classic style in fashion at the period, containing four storeys and dormers in the roof, each floor shewing nineteen windows. The estimated cost was 43,322 livres, or about ^^38,000. All preliminaries were satisfactorily arranged, and on the feast of St. George, the patron of England, April 23, 1770, the foundation-stone was laid by the dowager Lady Stourton. 57 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL The stone was placed some height from the ground, behind the oak wainscot panelling of a staircase ; and through a small door covering an aperture the inscription upon it may be inspected. The stone was plastered over, and the in- scription roughly traced on this uneven surface. It reads as follows : — PRAENOBILIS ?????? STOURTON MAG: BRIT: BARONISSA HUJUS AEDIFICII LAPIDEM FUNDAMENTALEM POSUIT DIE 23 APRIL: ANNO DNI 1770 The second line is illegible ; but the venerable lady is said to have been Catherine Walmesley, the sister of Bishop Walmesley and Dom Peter Walmesley, who married Robert, Lord Petre, in 1712, and several years later. Charles, Lord Stourton. Her portrait is in the possession of Mdme. la Marquise de Lys, of Little Malvern. As soon as the work was actually begun, the abbey of Arras fulfilled its part in the transaction, and documents in the town archives of Arras shew both the reception on May 3 of the sum of 5500 livres by Dom Gregory Sharrock, then Procurator of Douay, and the corresponding obligations whereby the Douay fathers had bound themselves and their successors by capitular act of February 10, both of the same year. The building did not progress very rapidly, for in an inventory for the presidential visitation in April 1772 (two years later), under the sub-heading of " materials for the new building," mention is made of stores of timber and stone, two carts, a bolter, planks, tubs, wheelbarrows, slates, &c., &c. Nor was it completed till long after that date. By an Ordonnance of January 12, 1738, no one under the laws of 58 HOUSE CHRONICLE, 1605-1793 mortmain could erect any building without first submitting the plans for the approval of the intendant or governor of the district. How Mons. Merville neglected compliance with this regulation, or how the school authorities came to be totally unaware of its existence is a mystery. The irregularity was only discovered in 1776, and the usual legal proceedings were at once instituted to inhibit them from continuing the work. The prior took the necessary steps to rectify the mistake; the plans were duly submitted to the intendant, and everything having been satisfactorily explained and official dignity mollified, the English monks were acquitted of all pains and penalties they might have unwittingly incurred ; and, as the document now in the Downside archives informs us, the plans were passed by M. Caumartin on August 19, 1776, and permission to build, or, to speak more correctly, to proceed with the building, was granted by the public authori- ties of Artois. Even so, the work could not have been pushed on very vigorously, for a letter from Prior Gregory Sharrock to the president, Dom Augustine Walker, dated July lo, 1777, states that : " . . . Our work has gone on pros- perously, and we are, thank God, drawing towards an end for the shell. The bricklayers are finishing the chimneys ; the carpenters have placed the greatest part of the roof timber, and the slaters have begun. . . . We are under great diffi- culties on another side. Our house is so low in people that we have not a sufficient choice of masters, which must oblige us to shut up the school, unless assistance can be given from some other quarter. Other superiors also want their promising subjects, and no indifferent ones can answer our purpose. I must endeavour to procure some relief at the chapter. I have just received a very friendly letter from Sir Edward Smythe's son, who tells me his father is extremely desirous of our welfare, and considers our college as very essential to the mission, not merely as procuring a supply 59 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL of priests, but as forming the minds of young gentlemen to virtue and learning. ..." The last paragraph shews that the keen interest evinced by Sir Edward Smythe for the welfare of St. Gregory's on its expulsion from Douay in 1793 was not merely pity and com- passion for our misfortunes, but a lively affection for the house and community, of long standing and tried worth. Writing a few months later, on April 21, 1778, to the same correspondent, the prior remarked that :''... On the whole, I think of carrying on our work briskly, and making the rest of the new house habitable as expeditiously as I can. Much remains yet to be done." The common saying has become almost a truism, that when once people begin to dabble in bricks and mortar they are seized by a sort of building fever. One thing leads to another. An open ambulacrum to allow of exercise in wet weather was no sooner suggested than its desirability forced itself on the minds of all, and its erection was decided upon. Taught caution by experience, they did not fail on this occasion to apply to the public authorities for the necessary approval and permission. Their application was made on April 22, 1780, and was granted in due form on April 28 following, as appears from the original documents now at Downside. The addition referred to is the well-known "piazza," a feature of the Douay of to-day, and plainly dis- cernible in the sketch of old St. Gregory's taken about 1789. The precise description given of it is : " The proposed colon- nade, or covered walk, along the wall which bounded their property on the Rue St. Albin to the corner of the Rue des Benedictins, according to the plan submitted," and was " de- stined to shelter the pupils in bad weather during their games, principally the j'eu depaume, or tennis." Prior Moore had died in 1775, and had been succeeded by Dom Gregory Sharrock. The school was in a flourishing 60 HOUSE CHRONICLE, 1605-1793 condition both as to numbers and reputation. Prior Sharrock had entered on a legacy of expansion that should have been provided for only on a well-grounded hope of continued success, and the outlook appeared to justify such an ex- pectation. Nevertheless, these hopes and expectations were destined to be speedily dashed to the ground. By the year 1781 the rebuilding was completed. But by that date also, a new policy had been inaugurated which, while originally intended to deal exclusively with the interests of the monks in the various labours undertaken by the English congregation, soon told adversely on the fortunes of St. Gregory's lay school. A scheme had been put forward in 1765, the main object of which was to effect the separation oi the different works which all the houses alike were interested in, apportioning the care of different undertakings to special houses. Though the details of this scheme had not been fully carried out, some, at least, of the ideas it embodied were to a certain extent realised ; for by an arrangement entered into between Prior Gregory Sharrock and the presi- dent, Dom Augustine Walker, St. Gregory's became, in the summer of 1779, the general house of the congregation for the training of the postulants, novices, and junior monks of all the houses, Lambspring excepted. At the same time, it was decided that the school where the youths should be sent who were being educated on the funds of the various houses with a view to their becoming monks in due course, either in St. Gregory's at Douay, St. Edmund's at Paris, and St. Lawrence's at Dieulouard, should be constituted at the latter place. This meant the removal to Dieulouard of the boys who were being supported at Douay on Abbot Caverel's burses ; but, of course, the measure did not specifically touch the purely lay element. Indirectly, the new plan had a de- cided effect on the fortunes of the lay school, though its members far outnumbered the ecclesiastical students. The 61 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL agreement in question, which appears to have been made between the president and Prior Gregory Sharrock without due consultation with the members of the latter's house, evidently met with some opposition; for writing on January lo, 1778, Prior Sharrock informed the president that: "Many in the congregation lament that we have not the general good at heart, and that the different parts which compose one body are almost enemies to each other. ..." A perusal of the letters belonging to the period referred to would hardly substantiate this sweeping charge of a want of fraternal charity ; but it would prove that all did not entertain pre- cisely the same idea of what was for the "general good": hence, opposition was certamiy and rightly offered to a scheme which went far in the direction of upsetting the arrangements that had worked smoothly, and, on the whole, well, for 150 years. Prior Sharrock had, at least, the courage of his convictions, and displayed a certain keenness in push- ing his idea of founding a common alumnate for the entire congregation ; and the prospect of acquiring St. Omers which presented itself about this time, seemed to him a favourable moment for urging that scheme. The following letter will explain the situation : — Prior G. Sharrock to President Walker. ''Aprils, 1778. "... A singular piece of business makes me address you at present. A person in ofifice inquires (as you will see by a letter which I received this morning from the Grand Prior of St. Vaast's, of which I send you a copy), whether we would accept the English college of St. Omer. I would not venture to decide a point which appears to belong to you. We are far advanced in the building of our new house, few in number, solidly settled in peaceable possession. These and other considerations weigh against accepting it. Besides, 62 HOUSE CHRONICLE, 1605-1793 a quarrel with the clergy might ensue. What might be the motive of such a proposal I cannot conceive. Is the clergy willing to give it up ? or is the king displeased with the present tenants, and resolved to expel them? In either case, if the king would convert the revenues into foundations here, for the benefit of the English mission, it would be preferable for us. The college of St. Omer might be desirable in certain circumstances, but at present may be really otherwise. If you think the matter deserves reflection, I fancy time may be allowed ..." Writing again a few days later, on April 21, the prior said : " I think the ministry will scarcely make it worth our while to accept the college of St. Omer. I have mentioned it to nobody here, except D. Peter [Walmesley], and should be very sorry the business should transpire, for the clergy might be tempted to suspect us of clandestine pro- ceedings against them. Though the court should endeavour to content them and justify us, such endeavour may not succeed. . . . Our houses appear too little united : each confines its views too much. ..." Prior Sharrock's contribution to the realisation of his dream of expansion of views amongst the English Benedictines was the suggestion for the suppression of " all distinction of houses," but such a principle was out of harmony with the whole spirit of St. Benedict's organisation, and was doomed to failure from the first. The less drastic plan, as already outlined, was adopted in its stead, and will doubtless account in a large measure for that falling off in the number of the lay boys, which Prior Sharrock himself pointed out in his letter to President Walker, dated July 6, 1778: "... Our scholars will diminish greatly this year, and tho' the greatest part leaves us according to the common course, yet as Ma'- Berkeley and one of the Fitzherberts are sent to Liege, I should not be sur- prised if many reports were spread about England and else- where to our disadvantage. We want some assistance, and 63 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL I hope you will exert yourself in our favour. I meet with friendly wishes from every quarter, but these produce little effect. . . ." Prior Sharrock's letter to the president, dated October 9, 1778, puts clearly on record how the carrying out of these schemes was affecting the fortunes of St. Gregory's School : "Mr. Cowley will have shewn you his plan for education at Dieulouard, which seems to me a very good one. He may also have informed you that our house is ready to concur in carrying the scheme into execution. I have, upon your hint, reduced our masters to three, one of whom is my brother. I do not imagine he can stand it long, burdened as he is with the prefectship, for which reason I must beg your speedy succour. A master, or a prefect, will satisfy my desires on this head. . . ." Another letter from the same to the same, dated May i, 1780, notes how the new system worked to the satisfaction of its originators. It speaks of boys from England passing through Douay, being forwarded thence to Dieulouard, of their progress in studies there, of the good impression made by the young Dieulouard monks who were pursuing their ecclesiastical studies at Douay. Though this is all pleasant enough reading, it does not compensate for the havoc the change wrought in the prospects of St. Gregory's. It seems a pity that Prior Gregory Sharrock was not called upon to meet the difficulties which he had himself helped to create ; for he was soon after appointed coadjutor to Bishop Walmesiey in the western vicariate, and on the 12th of August 1780, was consecrated Bishop of Telmessus, i.pA. The burthen fell upon his brother, Dom Jerome Sharrock, who succeeded him in the priorship at the early age of thirty, and who for twenty-eight years, until his death, ruled over the destinies of St. Gregory's, and on more than one occasion during that long period may be said to have secured its continued existence. He was not responsible for the situation that had been created, and had 64 HOUSE CHRONICLE, 1605-1793 only to deal with facts as he found them and as he took them over from his predecessors in the administration of St. Gregory's. They were these. The extant records at Downside shew that the admissions to the school for many years previous to 1 781 had been numerous; but from that date the supply from England and Ireland practically ceased. In other words, so far as English boys are concerned, the school had suddenly collapsed. This is only what might have been anticipated under the circumstances. English parents who had sent their boys to school at St. Gregory's to be there prepared for a career in the world in association with others residing there for the same purpose, hesitated when they discovered that that institution had been converted into the general juniorate and novitiate of a religious order. Accordingly they transferred their sons to schools more nearly fulfilling their ideals. In a word, the results of the hard and patient work of the past two generations were, by Prior Gregory Sharrock's action, simply dissipated. But if the resolution and resource of the younger brother, Prior Jerome, could not undo the work of the elder, Prior Gregory, they could at least prevent or minimise the full effect of his want of foresight. For a time Prior Jerome struggled on, only to recognise that a re-establishment of the school on its old basis was, for his day at least, impossible. It is easier to break up than to build up a connection. The famihes that had been represented on the roll of St. Gregory's alumni had drifted off elsewhere, nor was there any particular reason why their parents should then desert the schools that circumstances had compelled them to select in place of St. Gregory's for the education of their sons. Prior Jerome Sharrock accordingly formed the resolution of opening the doors of St. Gregory's, for the first time in the period of nearly two centuries since its foundation, to other than English and Irish lads ; for out of a roll of over 700 boys who passed through the school at Douay between the years 1666 65 E DOWNSIDE SCHOOL and 1 781, whose names have been preserved or recovered, only six can by any possibility have been French. And from a worldly and purely monetary point of view, he was not mis- taken in the course he adopted ; for a cursory glance at the list of boys who from 1785 onwards up to the Revolution were receiving their education within the walls of St. Gregory's, discloses the fact that more than two-thirds of a school number- ing upwards of eighty were French. A study of an account- book of that period further shews that the French boys were required to pay handsomely for the privilege of admission ; yet, notwithstanding the enhancement of those charges as compared with what was demanded of the English, it is curious to note how ready and even anxious were French parents to place their sons under the care of the English monks who had so long lived in exile amongst them ; and also how, in the course of that long exile, these monks, while confining themselves strictly to their own duty and their own English business, had earned the esteem and regard of their French neighbours. The young French boys who were ad- mitted under these circumstances are almost all to be recog- nised and identified as belonging to the families of best consideration in French Planders and Artois. Having thus made such arrangements for the future as would ensure the continued existence of St. Gregory's School, Prior Jerome Sharrock, whose health was now undermined, was anxious to resign his priorship at the general chapter of 1789; but happily he allowed himself to be persuaded to continue in office. The amount of his correspondence still preserved is considerable; it shews him to have been a man not merely of consummate prudence, but also of admirable temper and good sense ; it also shews that he never forgot his early experiences, and in certain determina- tions he was immovable, and would leave them as a legacy to his successors. To him St. Gregory's owes indeed a debt 66 HOUSE CHRONICLE, 1605-1793 of gratitude ; but here it is enough to recall him as the man who would not be beaten, however difficult the position and the circumstances, and who, rather than succumb, temporarily changed St. Gregory's from an English lay school into one mainly for French boys. SCHOOL BUILDINGS (FROM THE N.E.) 67 CHAPTER III INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S IN THE SEVEN- TEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES Account-books — London agents — Billiards — The stage — Games — Higher studies — School books — Instrumental music — Dancing — Drawing — Fencing — Coming and going of boys — School dress — Frippery and finery — Court of St. Gregory's — Roll of Kings — Officers of the Court and their duties — ^Journeys — Sickness. On our turning from the mere chronicle of dates and facts and events to a more homely atmosphere, a chance is afforded us of studying the Gregorian schoolboy of an earlier epoch in his everyday life, at lessons and at play, amidst some of the surroundings as he knew them. The story is not easy to piece together as a connected whole; and yet, strange as it may sound under the circumstances, a fairly vivid picture may be gleaned from those most prosaic and unpromising of all sources, old account-books. The books of accounts belonging to old St. Gregory's dealing with the transactions of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, which would now be of great interest, were nearly all lost in the French Revolution. But for many years previous to that catastrophe St. Gregory's had been repre- sented in England by its own procurator, or local agent, whose duty it was to attend to the English business of Alma Mater — to interview parents, forward boys to Douay, collect accounts, and generally see to the interests of the house and 68 IN THE SHRUBBERIES {Partly surrounding the Cricket Field) INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S school. A succession of these worthy agents lived at No. 39 Gloucester Street, leading into Queen Square, near Southamp- ton Row, Bloomsbury. Here resided Dom Placid Howard (of Corby), who, from 1738 to 1761, so successfully watched over the financial interests of his house as to see its capital doubled under his able management for nearly a quarter of a century, at the time when Thackeray makes George and Harry War- rington to be living in style in Southampton Row close by, and Colonel Lambert with his charming family were satisfied to find lodgings in Dean Street, Soho, now principally noted for extreme squalor. Here, too, lived Dom Bede Bennet, whom Dom Placid Howard had trained under his own eye to succeed him as Gregorian agent and procurator in England — a labour of love ably performed by him for close on forty years, till failing health warned him to resign his charge into the hands of Dom Michael Lorymer, who had been for ten years learning his methods under his personal tuition. The latter father lived for a time in Westminster, but returned to Bloomsbury, where he continued to reside as long as he retained the post of London agent. If he "muddled" his accounts when he was getting too old and infirm to superin- tend business as carefully as he had been used to do in his more youthful and vigorous days, his heart, nevertheless, con- tinued steadily devoted to the best interests of St. Gregory's to the last. He retired in 1830 to his community, then settled at Downside, and there prepared himself for death, which came to him two years later. There are those still alive who just knew him in those latter days, and link him with the present generation. Many who have only attained to middle age were acquainted with his immediate successor, Abbot Dunstan Scott, for he died as recently as 1872. He was the last of the London agents of St. Gregory's, and dwelt at Acton, Middlesex; though he, too, on occasion, stayed in Bloomsbury. This series of procurators kept what may for 69 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL practical purposes be considered as duplicates of the Douay books during a continuous period of more than a century. These account-books have fortunately been preserved, and from their yellow pages and faded handwriting much may be gleaned by the curious inquirer. Our records dealing with the details of the life of those who passed through the school during the seventeenth century are very scanty and limited. As early as 1682, mention is made of a " billiard table and cover," with its con- comitant " six billiard sticks " and " three billiard balls." In that year it is stated to be in " the religious' calefactory," but by 1706 the situation it occupied is named as in "the religious' and students' calefactory." The share that both monks and boys had been forced to take in the sieges of Douay apparently made military matters a subject of interest ; and so it is by no means surprising to find that by 1711 this recreation room had been furnished with a map or plan of the famous fortifications of Vauban. These or similar maps continue to figure in the inventories up to the end of the Douay days. The use of the stage as a means of teaching elocution, combined with grace of deportment and self-possession, has been in vogue at St. Gregory's from time immemorial. Were our records for the seventeenth century available, it is not improbable that the practice might be proved to be coeval with the school itself. As early as March 25, 17 18, the prior, D. John Stourton, put before his council a proposal that had emanated from the regent of the Vedastine College that " hidos puhlicos toti civitati commujies operiremus.^^ This may be understood in two ways : either that the city of Douay had already been in the habit of exhibiting something in the nature of our ancient miracle plays (still surviving there, by the way, in a very debased form, as the "Gayant" pro- cession); or, proposing to adopt some such performances, 70 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S wanted St. Gregory's to take a share in their representation. But the responsible heads, calculating the difficulties and inconveniences likely to arise from such a course, the harm it might do their English boys, and considering their numbers inadequate for undertaking such a task, decided to have nothing to do with the proposal. This, it is true, is somewhat negative evidence. Less than forty years later, however, in 1756, we learn that there were stowed away in the wardrobe "some old acting cloaths," and that in the boys' calefactory were eight "scenes for acting." Judging by what is and is not called old in these days of greater opportunities for changing and replacing the stage wardrobe, it is more than probable that the " cloaths " designated as old in 1756 would have been doing duty to metamorphose budding actors into Caesars, kings, and third murderers, even some time before 17 18, taking us back perhaps to such remote days as those of Charles 11. The subject is too technical and too compli- cated for discussion in these pages, but it is highly curious to note that, at a period when the stage custom in England was to dress all characters, belonging no matter to what period, in habiliments of the fashion of the day, special clothes for stage use should be enumerated amongst the belongings of the school "play-cupboard" of 1756 and earlier. "y^w de paume " doubtless flourished from the very com- mencement, since it held such an important place in school estimation as to be deemed worthy of special con- sideration in planning new buildings. ''''Jeu de paume^' is, moreover, a generic term, and, as such, includes several species of the one family — hand-ball, tennis, rounders, and " bat-and-ball." This last-named game is still played amongst us in a way almost identical with that traditionally in vogue at Ushaw. This would point to a common Douay origin, and the curious in such matters might be able, with proper in- vestigation, to trace this excellent game to Tudor or even to 71 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL mediaeval times; whence it might be gathered that as nowa- days the roving Englishman takes his cricket with him to the uttermost parts of the earth, so our exiled English monks and schoolboys carried with them to their foreign domicile the traditional games and pastimes of their island home. The mention of " bat-and-ball," too, conjures up visions of the cricket of other days, and in this respect our old account-books help us a little, for from those soiled and dusty pages we learn that your old Gregorian was very much up-to-date — his date, that is to say — and we may read how in the earlier days of the noble national game, somewhere about 1775, young Henry Tich- borne was set up for the season ; for therein is debited : " To 4 cricket balls for Titchbourne, 4s. To 2 batts for do., 3s."; and there was bought of Mr. Booker, the best Catholic pub- Hsher and bookseller of the day, "Ye Game of Cricket for young Tichbourne, 6d." ; in order that he and his youthful playmates might learn the strict rules of the game. After making all due allowance for difference of money value, we are left in wonderment as to the nature of bat and ball used by Henry Tichborne a century and a quarter ago. The shape of the bats is known from various old prints belonging to that period ; of cane handles they were innocent, and were more like a modern hockey stick than anything else. A generation ago the average schoolboy had a passion for marbles, which he saw no reason for disguising ; his modern representative would look with disdain on such a pastime; though possibly the day may come when some one having more than ordinary courage and no false shame will be bold enough to re-introduce it, and it may once more become the "rage." But their forebears of the eighteenth century gave themselves up with unfeigned delight and zest to the seductions of "alley-tors" and ''commoneys," or their equivalents; and we may read, for example, of a shilling's worth of marbles for Howard; he who, as Henry Howard, of Corby, was in 72 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S after years a leader of Catholics. Elsewhere is recorded the expenditure of four shillings and sixpence for marbles to the account of Messrs. Edward Smythe and Bodenham, both well known and respected in Catholic circles as recognised leaders in religious politics. Douay being situated in a flat country intersected with rivers, streams, and canals, it is but natural that fishing should have been a favourite amusement with the more sober-minded and meditative of the old Gregorian scholars. Many entries in the old account-books attest this; as, for example: "To a fishing rod, real [reel] &c., for Fitzherbert, 14s. od." "To a fishing rod and tackling for Mr. Chomley at Douay, jQi, IS. od." "For Sir Thomas Gascoigne, 2 casting nets, ;^i, I2S. od."; besides this entry there is another very heavy item, for he must needs have a " drag net " also, for which the cost was ;^i9, i6s. od. Frank Hutton's fishing rod and reel cost I2S. ; Robert Fitzherbert was provided at the lower rate of I OS. 6d. ; while one for " Mr. Berkley " was even cheaper, at 7s. 6d., but there were "lines for ditto, 3d." During the winter season, too, the canals and streams round Douay afforded plenty of opportunities for skating; accord- ingly, at such times, as the books shew, skates or "strings for skates " were in steady requisition. Football also had its votaries, and the account-books dis- close that the balls ranged in price from eleven to sixteen livres, say eight to ten shillings apiece. " Bladders for footballs " is not an infrequent entry, and " skins " are in request from time to time. These latter desiderata conjure up the picture of autumn term at Downside, when the bat-and-ball season is in full swing; and it was from Douay that together with the game was imported the art and mystery of making a ball with plenty of life and spring in it — an art carefully handed on from generation to generation of Gregorians. " Hi ! Cockalorum, jig, jig, jig ! " had its place ; and what- 73 DOWNSIDE 3CHOOL ever the meaning of that cabalistic utterance, its origin may possibly be traced to the influence of the Spanish training of the first fathers of the English Benedictines, for a precisely similar game may be seen being played at the present day at Tuy in Spain. In addition to the playground attached to the school, the boys had the advantage of being able to roam about the grounds of the country house at Esquerchin, some two miles out of the town, which the generosity of Abbot Caverel had provided for the use and recreation of his English proteges as early as 1619. The old records abound with references to this villegiatura ; but when, at the restoration of the Bourbons early in the last century, the school buildings were given back to their English owners, the Esquerchin property was not in- cluded in that measure of restitution. It stood in the same relation to St. Gregory's School that " Blandyke " occupied in the school life of the boys educated at St. Omers, at Liege, and now at Stonyhurst. Besides the more active forms of amusement and recreation already enumerated, it would seem that the keeping of pets was not discouraged, if a judgment may be formed from such entries as crop up from time to time respecting pigeons and their food, cages, and "seed for his [i.e. Deday's] bird" ; and it may be surmised from another entry on December 17, 1768, "To a Treatise of Bees for Sir Thomas Gascoigne, los. 6d.," that that young gentleman had a hive, perhaps even an apiary, in some corner of the garden at Douay. Very little has thus come down to us treating specifically of the course of studies pursued at St. Gregory's in the seven- teenth and eighteenth centuries. All we know is that the boys were taught in such a way as to enable them to take their proper place, so far as religious disabilities would permit, in the world for which they were destined. The results shew that the preparation was adequate ; for St. Gregory's has no 74 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S reason to be ashamed of its Howards and Smythes and Throck- mortons, and many more who upheld the best traditions of family life on their own estates, and who in public, in the arena of political strife, fought for Catholic emancipation, and shewed in their own persons how fit they were to take the part they had so long and strenuously claimed in the public life of their country. Amongst the boys who frequented the school early in the seventeenth century was Francis Gascoigne. It is recorded of him that after completing his humanities at St. Gregory's he *' heard logic and philosophy there [Douay], and made such progress that he made a public defension." {Etin tantum pro- fecit, ut universam philosophiavi meruit propugnare, ) Others, too, followed his example ; and those who were entrusted with the training of these scions of honourable families, in such a way as to do credit to the stock whence they sprang, duly qualified themselves for their onerous and responsible task by graduating in arts at Douay University. This tradition of solid scholarship was continuous and unabated. Let the testimony of Gilbert Langley stand as an example for the early part of the eigh- teenth century. This young gentleman had on one occasion, as may be gathered from his own narrative, been very pro- perly punished for some misdemeanour by a sound birching — " smartly flogged " are the words he himself employed — and then, commenting on the effect this punishment had on his wounded self-love and conceit, he remarked : " I was then in Poetry, and was therefore so highly exasperated at this Insult, and heinous offence offered ro the Muses, that I resolved to lay aside all Thoughts of any further Progress in my Learning, and therefore betook myself to a sullen and continued Silence, which I strictly observed for near a Month, and no Persuasions were able to alter my perverse Disposition, till Father Howard (a Gentleman of candid and engaging Behaviour) took me to task, and by his winning Affability and courteous Complais- 75 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL ance, prevail'd on my rigid and sullen Temper. This Gentle- man indulged me with the free Use of his Chamber, where I spent my leisure hours with the utmost Pleasure in the Perusal of his Books, and was highly delighted with his ingenious Remarks and Observations, on such Authors as best suited my Genius, and heightened the natural Conceptions of my growing Capacity." Having been thus won back to a better frame of mind, Langley assures us he relinquished all desire of returning to England ; and, applying himself anew, closely followed his studies, till, "having run through all the Classicks, I proceeded to Philosophy, pass'd through my Dialect or Logick, and was just entering upon a course of Metaphysicks, when an order came for my immediate return Home." When Langley left school he was not more than from sixteen to seventeen years of age, so that the picture of himself he incidentally affords is that of a well-grounded and advanced scholar, for it must be read in conjunction with the passage previously quoted, wherein he compares the thoroughness of the training imparted at St. Gregory's (and this is equally true of all the English Catholic schools abroad), with the superficiality and outward show that ap- parently at that period characterised the teaching of the great public schools of England. The healthy English custom of birching a boy into the way he should go, was carried abroad, together with other insular notions, so that the lads who went over sea for their due and proper education were deprived of as few as possible of the advantages which tend to make the man according to Busbeian and other approved ideas. The elder boys apparently went to the College of St. Vaast, adjoining that of St. Gregory, for lectures in philosophy. In the printed catalogue of the students frequenting that school within Douay University for the year 1776, a copy of which 76 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S is preserved in the archives of St. Edmund's at Douay, occur the following names : — Kendal, F. Richarde. Benedictin Anglois. Bodenham, Ch. Joseph. Ne au Comte d'Hereford en 1759. Bredall, Ch. Ed. Ne a Londres en 1757. (Notice the Jacobite Christian names.) Smythe, Ed. Jean. Ne au Comte de Shrewsbury en 1758. Throckmorton, Ch. Georges. Ne au Comte de Bucking- ham en 1759. On the very eve of the French Revolution an instance, culled from the old account-books, discloses the high standard attained by boys at St. Gregory's. In Henry Taaffe's account, "sent out on December 10, 1789," is an item of twelve livres ''to Bandine,repetitor," and another, " To Defensions, 22.16.0 [livres]." In the following year occur these entries: "To — paid for his Repetitor in Phylosophy, 34.16.0." This is im- mediately followed by another, " To ditto for his public defensions, 37.16.0." When Henry Taaffe left St. Gregory's on August 2, 1790, it is evident that he had read and fairly qualified himself in a course of philosophy, for the ordeal of a public defension was no ordinary undertaking. No boy would have been permitted to subject himself to so searching an ordeal unless by previous trial and experience those who were responsible for him had assured themselves that he was equal to the task, and would acquit himself with honour, if not with brilliancy. Such cases would necessarily be rare ; as a general rule, where a higher course of studies had been pursued, the ordinary routine of a private home examination would have sufficed, as in Taaffe's own case in the previous year, 1789. The culture of the literary taste was certainly not neglected, and the masterpieces of their own and the dead languages were assiduously read by the boys, if we may judge by account-book 77 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL entries. Thus Bodenham was provided with Pope's Homer's Iliad and Odyssey^ in nine volumes, at ^i, 7s. od.; and in later years, Taberner was furnished with the same bulky work at a cost of ;£"i, 13s. 6d., the difference in price being due probably not to any enhanced value from the publisher's point of view, but to a charge for the " box." Then we may read of a Clavis Homerica^ which Warenghien procured with a view to mastering the beauties of the blind poet. We do not learn much in detail from such an entry as " For Dictionarys and other Classicks," or from the lumping together of "two dozen Greek Grammars and one dozen & 1/2 manuals"; yet they represent much poring over roots and particles. It is here on record, 100, that these young Grecians were reading the Cyropccdia. A large order made in 1753 shews that Cor- derius was still in request for beginners in Latin. Then we stumble upon "Simpson's Geometry," "Gregory's Geo- metry," '• Fisher's Arithmetick," " Barrow's Arithmetick," "Watts's Grammar," "Ash's Grammar," and Louth's. This latter would doubtless be the Hebrew Grammar. And then there was also the "Port Royal Grammar," priced 12s., pro- cured for some boys, but no details about this expensive book are forthcoming. Of dictionaries there is a goodly selection, including Ainsworth's, Johnson's, Boyer's, and Bailey's. Of more serious books, pointing to the fact that their possessors were putting the finishing touches to the studies of previous years, we have bountiful store. Thus, John Selby purchases an Evangtie Medite ; while, in 1776, John Webb receives a parcel of books containing "Johnson's Dictionary (large), Tyronum figurarum (^/V), Vegetius, Celsus, Merrick's Psalms, Carter's Poems, Campbell on Rhetorick." Six years later, in 1782, Francis and William Throckmorton, aged nineteen and eighteen respectively, receive "Sheridan on Education, Sheridan on Elocution, Ossian's Works, Remarks on Ossian, FrankHn's Sophocles, West's Pindar, Smith's Longinus^ Demos- 78 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S thenes, 3 vols," We also read of "Chesterfield's Maxims" and, possibly as a corrective to this, " Hunter against Chester- field," for "Mr. Smythe, Acton Burnell." Glimpses of other interests are here and there revealed through the medium of charges for a telescope, "cameras" — whatever that meant in those far-off days — " lenses," various scientific books, and even Miller's great " Gardener's Dictionary." From all that we know of our forefathers in the eighteenth century, it is evident that the " accomplishments " were con- sidered an integral part of a complete education. Music was very generally taught, and under the rule of Prior Moore, who was particularly noted for his love of that art, it may be con- sidered to have flourished exceedingly. At an earlier date, " the elder Riddell " was learning the flute ; and just previous to the outbreak of the French Revolution, the account-books furnish several more names to the votaries of that sweet instru- ment, while others preferred the clarionette, the violin, and the harpsichord. Mons, Postel was the name of the last master engaged at Douay for the musical instruction of the boys of St. Gregory's. This gentleman began his engagement as music-master on February i, 1791, and he was still attending his duties at the school at the end of 1792, notwithstanding the precariousness of the times. A note informs us that " his salary is 300 livres per annum, with an obligation of teaching the young religious." Many of the youths also were having their voices trained ; and in the last days this task was being performed by a Mons. Dudart. Another "elegant" or "genteel" accomplishment, allied to music much as effect to cause, is dancing; and the terpsi- chorean muse had many votaries at St. Gregory's, who were learning their steps to ensure a correct deportment when the time should come for making their entry into the withdrawing- rooms of our great-grandmothers. None knew better than they the good impression that could be made by the deference 79 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL expressed by a bow, and the easy grace needed for the correct sweep of the hand and arm when doffing the hat and carrying it to the breast — a lost art in real Hfe, preserved to us only in the canvases of painters and the descriptions of novelists. There is every reason to believe that drawing, too, was well taught, enabUng the finished young man from St. Gregory's when on his travels to transfer to paper, not only his mental impressions, but also the presentments of art and architecture which might arrest his attention. Thus cases of mathematical instruments, of considerable value, were frequently supplied. The poet Cowper's correspondence gives us, as will be seen later, a pleasing glimpse of the use this power was put to by certain Gregorians. Fencing, as is well known, is one of the best forms of exercise for ensuring a graceful carriage, for developing the muscles, and for training the eye. Useful for such purposes, therefore, as this art is nowadays to its possessor, it was a necessity in those more lawless days, when footpads, brawlers, and such like braggadocios needed a sharp lesson from their intended victims. The question of duelling may be left out of account ; but a knowledge of swordsmanship of one form or another was well-nigh imperative during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It will be no matter for surprise, therefore, to find that the principles of fencing were imparted to some, indeed to many, of the Gregorians at Douay by a mattre d'armes ; and these boys' names duly appear in the account-books. Fragmentary as must needs be these references to the topic of chiefest interest where the chronicle of a school is con- cerned, they at least serve the purpose of shewing that a com- plete course of studies was pursued at St. Gregory's in the olden lime, and there we must leave this interesting subject. The account-books are full of information as to the coming of the students as small boys, and their leaving as young men. The preliminaries for the former were, it would seem, 80 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S at times very old-world and primitive. Here is a case, the only one of its kind recorded, it is true: "1747, March 4, treating two gentlemen, about boys, iis. od." Other and less pleasant duties had to be performed occasionally, as witness this entry: "1743, August 12. Spent in two journeys and sending a servant to solicit y^ payment of 's debt to Douay, ;£"i, is." The payment, by the way, is duly recorded later. It may here be remarked that "bad debts" were on the whole few and far between. The conveyance of the youngsters over the water was a serious affair, and one about which parents were not a little solicitous. The following letter to D. Bede Bennet on the subject is given verbatim and literatim ; it may be added that it was written by Mrs. Ellice Esmonde, a lady of no mean name and no mean condition, and one who was quite conscious of the fact : — ^'•Jenury y^ 2, 1770. "Sr, — I have at last got a gentalman to send my son Jhon by. to y' care, to send him to Mr. Moor to doway. I must beg y" will take all the care in y' pour y' he should be taken care of, and sent with proper compeny y* will take care of him, and sooth his parting with me — and all his frinds — he has a mildness and sweetness in his Temper that will require Tenderness and indulge which I am satisfied y"" good Sirs will show him he is young, but 1 1 y' old, and God has given him strong talents, which I hope will make a figure when properly cultivated under so good a man as Mr. Moor, wh. is the only salve I have to make ammends for my parting with him. . . ." The young gentleman in question, with all his " mildness " and "sweetness" requiring "Tenderness and indulge," grew up to be a man curiously well capable of striking out a bold, or a "strong" fine of his own, and making others follow him in it. Dom Bede Bennet, some two months later, duly 81 F DOWNSIDE SCHOOL entered all the items relating to the manner in which he himself performed the task of seeing the precious charge safely from London to Dover, representing (inclusive of ^£4, 4s. " cash " given to the boy) the sum of ^8, 13s. If going to school cost money in those days, leaving cost a good deal more ; the viaticum, or what led up to it, was a serious business. There is a fairly common premoni- tion that school-days are approaching their term in entries like the following : " Two razors and a strop, 14s.," for " Mr." So-and-so ; or, more modestly, " a razor and strop, 6s. 6d.," though in this particular case, the economy in the matter of razors is fairly made up for by a premature fancy for " cambrick." In one case, that of a scion of the border race of Swinburne, we catch the glint of "a sword." One of the last duties before leaving for England was to get for themselves a great outfit of " linnen, cambrick," and such like gear, utilities and vanities alike, all of which could be had cheaper and better on the spot at Douay than at home. The result of the long separation, during which the tender boy had grown into the young man, must have been often a disabusing of fond ideals, and always somewhat of a shock. Gilbert Langley supplies this touch of local colour to the subject of education abroad in the account he gives of his own home-coming. After minutely describing his journey homewards, including a delay of three weeks at Calais on account of contrary winds, he continues: "At last we arrived at Tower Stairs, and I took my Leave of the rest of the Company, went ashore, and call'd a Coach, and ordered him to drive to LincoMs Inn Fields. My Father was standing at his Door, but scarcely knew me, habited like a Frenchnan, and dressed A la mode de Paris, till at last recovering himself from his surprize, he took me into the Parlour, and there tenderly embraced me. Numbers of the Neighbours came to compliment me on my safe return Home." 82 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S But it was reserved for the London tailor to give the last touches to the best advantage of the outer man. Perhaps it may be of interest to take a sample case. Here is the account of young Mr. Charlton's arrangements, for instance, as he was passing through London from school to visit first the Wrights at Kelvedon, and then home to Hesleyside, November 1783: — To a coach for Mr. Charlton To y^ carriage of his trunk . . . . . To Mr. Charlton in cash To letters at sundry times . . . . . To dinner on his arrival ...... To do. on Monday ...... To lodgings, &c., at Jacques's . . . . . To journey to Kelvedon ...... To a hand-glass for Mrs. Charlton . . . . To a dozen of handkerchiefs and making for Mrs. Charlton, liv. 93, 13 To 6 pair of stockings To his place to Newcastle . . . . . To a pair of boots To a pair of spurs ....... To a pair of buckles To a pair of straps for trunk . . . . . To lodgings at No 20. and breakfasting . To a pair of slippers ...... To a hair dresser at Jacques To a silk handkerchief To baggage To a pair of shoes To ye Taylors bill To a razor case, &c., for a present to Mon"^- L'Abbe I s. d I 6 I 6 6 5 7 6 6 8 2 I 6 16 4 I 6 I 5 3 II I 8 7 6 I 6 4 6 IS 7 6 2 6 4 6 I 7 7 15 I I £42 o 6 And so the young man thus equipped, felt himself with due complacency ready to make his figure in the world, present himself with confidence to relatives and friends, and rejoice, let us trust, the mother's heart, impatiently awaiting his 83 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL arrival in distant Northumberland. Be it noticed, by the way, that he has not thought only of himself. There were others who, before coming back to England, made the grand tour, and that was a much more serious affair. Here is a case: "Thos. Riddell, Esq. In 1782-83 through Mr. Cowley's hands. To 2 years newspapers to March 26th, '85, iis." "Mr. Cowley" was the Prior of St. Edmund's, Paris — Johnson's "Mr. Cowley," from whom, as from " Friar Wilkes," he parted so " tenderly." It was commonly through the prior of that house that young men leaving St. Gregory's, and not homeward bound, received their remittances whilst staying in Paris. And here we are brought face to face with the question of the dress of the old Gregorian schoolboy. In the water- colour sketch of old St. Gregory's, a reproduction of which is given facing page 57, several lads are depicted playing at handball. Their cassocks are tucked up in a bunch behind,, in much the same way as might till recently have been seen any day by those who passed the railings of Christ's Hospital School in Newgate Street. This was the Gregorian uniform, not unlike that of the ancient-modern blue-coat boy. As a consequence, one of the first entries in a boy's account, after his admittance into the school, is that for " cassock, hat, and girdle," or, after the admission of French boys, soutane^ cei?iture, et chapeau, as the case might require. The price for these habiliments ranged from 16.5.0 to 48.0.0 (livres). It may be well to bear in mind that at the period referred to in these extracts, the exchange stood at the rate of twenty-four livres for one guinea. As parents know to their cost, the wear and tear of school life upon clothes is enormous, and the outlay entailed by their replacement as occasion requires, no slight item ; hence the purchase or mending of shirts or chemises, breeches or culottes, shoes or souliers^ is not infrequent ; and the mention, 84 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S of the more generic and comprehensive term " clothes " or "habits" occurs still more often. It is in connection with these that the memory of a certain Madame Raison has been crystallised in the pages of the account-books, and she must evidently have gained quite a little competency by patching and mending old garments or making new ones. Almost invariably the items that went to make up the final account when boys were leaving, include the sum of so much due to Madame (or other predecessor) " for making clothes," ox pour lafapn de ses habits ; and we are set wondering if the good seamstress turned out her young clients in the height of the prevailing fashion or not ; but on this subject the account- books throw no light : though they deal with figures, they make no account of fits and misfits. Poor Madame Raison, by the way, fell upon evil times during the dark days of the Revolution ; she sank into poverty like so many more. But it is pleasing to think that when St. Gregory's had been steered into safe harbour at Acton Burnell and Downside, the humble dependant of former days was not forgotten, and on more than one occasion aid that they could ill afford to spare was sent to her in her need by her former employers. Hosiery and haberdashery find a necessary and largely looming place in the time-stained pages; but buried in the folds of cassock or soutane, our old Gregorians had but slight scope for fancy. What scope there was lay in the direction of "buckles," and the young gentlemen of St. Gregory's availed themselves of it to their utmost. Thus "a pair of silver buckles for Mr. Swinburne, ;£"i, is. od.," "a pair of plated buckles for Mr. Throckmorton, 3s. 6d.," "a pair of silver buckles for Mr. Bodenham, 15s." In one direction, cravats engaged their serious attention ; in another, hats were regarded as the article of dress most calculated to give a finishing touch to the labours of the tailor; so we read of " something about a hat " for Kelly, and " ribbons for hats " 85 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL debited to Henry Tichborne. This lad and his younger brother Benjamin are elsewhere charged for " doing up their hats," and still later, probably when returning to their home in Hampshire, a further outlay is recorded on their behalf for " extraordinary hats and dressing them." In the French form, this item appears as chapeau et garniture. That the personal appearance of the eighteenth-century Gregorian, even when at school, was not neglected, is revealed to his twentieth- century descendant in a rather odd way. A remarkable combination of seemingly incongruous functions is afforded by the invariable clubbing together in the last Douay account- book of the offices of "writing master and barber," as it is styled in the bills for English parents, or according to the more grandiose French variant, maitre d^ecriture et perru- quier. "Combing and powdering" is only another form of the duties pertaining to this functionary; and the annual charge to each boy for his services was eight livres — say, seven shillings. He — that is, the barber, for a distinction must be made between his dual duties — had an opportunity of further profit put in his way, when occasionally he was commissioned to provide or make wigs for his youthful customers and pupils at eighteen livres, or 15s. gd. apiece. In the last chapter an extract was given from Gilbert Langley's " Memoirs," presenting an intensely human picture of schoolboy life well-nigh two centuries ago ; but it was so far only one side of it. It portrayed only the serious purpose that brought together so many promising youths from scattered parts of England across the sea to a foreign city. There was seen how the faith and learning of their forefathers was im- parted to those who in their turn would hand down inviolate to their posterity, to us, the heritage and traditions of the faith for which they and their ancestors suffered and bled. The other side to that life, though a pleasant one, had its pathetic aspect too; for it was an endeavour to make all those gathered 86 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S together in practical exile forget for a brief space the dis- tance that separated each one from home and family. It was the British observance of Christmastide with seasonable festivity. In these days schoolboys go home two and even three times a year, and for more or less lengthy periods exchange the routine and constraint of school discipline for the comparative liberty of home life. But in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and, indeed, later, when Catholic lads left home in their tender years they were parted from parents and relatives for long periods at a stretch ; and those who went to school abroad, remained there ofttimes for the whole term of their residence, six or seven years, without once returning home; and for all that period continued more or less under school rules and regulations. But they had not forgotten the rejoic- ings of an old English Christmas, nor was it desirable that they should; for school routine had to be broken up some- how so that the bow should not be for ever strung; and, therefore, as it was deemed desirable that our young exiles should feel that their Christmas-time was the Christmas-time of a happy English boy, there was need of some striking feature to emphasise the Christmas rejoicings. Its cele- bration at St. Gregory's in the early days has hitherto been shrouded in obscurity, although the antiquity of the custom of the Christmas King has always 'been admitted. Langley, writing of his own school days, refers to the "ancient tenour " of the charter, whereby the " rights and privileges " that were accorded at Christmas-time were secured to them, as we should express it, " from time immemorial." It is probable, therefore, that the custom of electing a king for the period of Yuletide was almost coeval with the foundation of St. Gregory's School itself, and had its origin in the Christmas revels that had been continued for centuries in the ancestral homes of many of the monks and boys of St. Gregory's. ^7 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL This custom was brought back to England, and kept up at Acton Burnell and at Downside with undiminished en- thusiasm and with similar ceremony and observance, as de- picted for us in Langley's description. This time-honoured practice has, however, been forced out of existence by the changed conditions of life brought about by the introduction of railways, for now Christmas is spent by all schoolboys at home with their families. The "Court of St. Gregory's" is a subject full of interest, and will receive further notice in connection with the pastimes of St. Gregory's ; but it would seem suitable to furnish in this place the picture of the Court, given by Gilbert Langley as he knew it about 1725, and as it had existed, probably, for the previous hundred years. First and foremost, of course, comes the custom of electing the boy- king and the keeping of his royal court during Twelfthtide. Those who can recall that time at Downside, and they are yet many, will remember the grand doings when the boy- sovereign was elected, and the "tuck" that accompanied that important act of self-government. The same good custom must have prevailed at old St. Gregory's, else what was the object of debiting the boys with " one livre nineteen sols for chusing kings"? Another entry of not infrequent occurrence refers to the cost of " entrance " or " entrance to the Cabinet." These terms as they stand convey no meaning, but taken in connection with the king's court, they point out Theodore or Joseph Delasenie, for example, Lawrence Griffin, Roger Farrell, and Benjamin Mostyn, as having held posts of honour in this mimic court, and that they had been members of the privy council, or fulfilled other high functions and offices therein. The succession of the sovereigns is complete and certain only from the Acton Burnell days, but the account-books have by good fortune preserved for us a few names from among those who in their time reigned at Douay. Thus: "Dec. 11, 1775. — Received 88 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S for His Majesty King Edward, £10, los."; "1780. — To expences for King Francis treating his subjects, ^£2, los. 6d.'' The former of these was afterwards known as the Sir Edward Smythe who welcomed into his own home the monks from his old school when the Revolutionists broke it up ; the latter was Francis Throckmorton, who died at Lisbon in 1788, at the age of twenty-seven. We have already learnt from Gilbert Langley's description that, on one day during his Christmas- tide reign, the king gave a splendid dinner called the " king's feast." When King Francis "treated "his subjects in 1780, the reference is to this feast, for which " treat " was but another term. In the last Douay ledger, likewise, may be read under Joseph Eldridge's expenses for the year 1788 : — For pocket money and Treat at Xmas , . 139.11.9 (livres) Eldridge was succeeded in 1789 by Henry Tichborne, and under his name there appears : — For a treat for the boys 46.5.0 Cash for last Xmas (special) .... 48.0.0 In 1790 Matthew Jumelles held the post of honour, as may be gathered from the following entry — almost the only record of the event that we possess : — To Prefect's Book. King's Feast . . . 133. 14.9 Henry Mostyn followed in 1791, and the entries concerning his tenure of regal state are : — To King's Feast 53-3.0 By order of Mr. Mostyn .... 40.0.0 Finally, in 1792, Roger Farrell occupied the throne, the last to do so at Douay, and his account includes : — To expenses for his Kingdom during Xmas . 99.5.0 To money extraordinary ..... 36.0.0 89 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Our succession list may therefore now include the following names, in addition to those which find a place on the Petre Library Roll of Kings : — 1775. Edward (Smythe). 1780. Francis (Throckmorton). 1788. Joseph (Eldridge). 1789. Henry (Tichborne). 1790. Matthew (Jumelles). 1 791. Henry (Mostyn). 1792. Roger (Farrell). In order that the festivities of Yuletide might lack for nothing to help to pass the time pleasantly, there is plenty of evidence, apart from Gilbert Langley's picture, to shew that the boys were generously supplied with cash. Indeed, as we scan the sums bestowed on the lads 150 years ago, the im- pression forces itself upon us that they could rarely have wanted for money, and were comparatively far better off than the schoolboy of a generation ago. "Besides the usual Hollidays at Easter, and Michaelmas^ we claim by Charter an ancient Priviledge of electing a King among ourselves, to be our Sovereign, during the limited Time granted by Patent. The Manner, and our Observance of those antique Customs are as follows: — A Month before Christmas, the Senior Scholars assembled together in Council, debate on the Election of a Prince, and all proper Officers to attend his Majesty, of which I shall afterwards give you a List. The Result of this grand Council is kept inviolably secret, until Christmas Eve, when the Clerk of the August Assembly ascending the Pulpit, in an open and audible Voice, reads the Copy of the ancient Charter, and nominates the chosen King, and his Officers of State, in Presence of the Several Masters of the different Schools. Hereupon his 90 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S Majesty sends a solemn Embassy to the Grand Prior, and by it claims and demands the Annual Rights and Priviledges of his then Subjects to be confirm'd, pursuant to the ancient Tenour of the above-mention'd Charter. To this regal Demand the Prior replies, My Lords, we are both ready and willing to graiit your present Sovereign, all such Customs, Priviledges, and Imitiunities, as were zuont formerly to be ejijoyed by his Majesty's Predecessors ; providing that your Monarch will expressly command, that all such wholesome Laws and Precepts (as were usually obseni'd) be strictly adhered to, and kept inviolable, on Pain of severest Punishments, and his highest Displeasure. The Ambassadors return to his Majesty with this peremptory Answer, who immediately commands them to return, and deliver to the Grand Prior, a Copy of such Statutes as he in Council hath approv'd of, and thought proper, by solemn Edict, to make known and proclaim throughout his Realm. As soon as the King receives the Prior's Approbation thereof, he orders three several Copies of his Royal Mandates to be affixed forthwith in the Calefactory, Refectory, and Dormitory; and for the due Execution of his Majesty's Pleasure, and irrevocable Commands, these following Officers are constituted and appointed. ^^ Lmprimis, one of the most facetious and merry Youths, is chosen to perform the Part of a Harlequin, and by Patent is styled his Majesty's Brother, alias the Fool; he hath liberty always to dine with his Majesty, and is present on all occasions ; and in some measures, thwarts and controls him, pursuant to the Character he bears. "The next great Officer is the Lord High Constable, who beareth Rule over all his Majesty's Subjects ; and is sworn to maintain and defend the Peace and Order of his present Kingdom, free and exempt from all public Disturbances, Feuds and Animosities. None dare presume to go out into the Town, without the Leave and Permission of this great 91 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Lord; none are to sit up past nine o'clock, without his Licence ; he likewise performs the part of the former Prefect, reads Prayers, and sees all the Minor Students lodged in their respective Beds, puts out the Candle, and then retires to divert himself in the Company of his Sovereign, and all his Nobles ; he also is constituted and appointed Lord Chief Justice o'er all his Majesty's Dominions, and hears and decides all Suits and Controversies, that arise amongst the inferior Subjects. " The next in Honour and Dignity is the Lord President, who presides in the King's Honourable Privy Council ; his Office is diligently to observe the Motions and Behaviour of the several Officers, as well as Subjects, and when he finds just Cause and Reason to summon those of the Privy Council, and there lay open his Charge against the Delinquents, who, if found guilty, are punish'd according to Law. This Trust he privately executes, and for that Reason, is commonly called, the Inspector of Manners. " The next is Lord High Chamberlain, who hath the Manage- ment and Care of all his Majesty's Household; he giveth direction for fixing the Royal Throne, and issues forth his Orders, to the Inferior Officers of his Court to mundifye, and keep decent the several Apartments of the Palace Royal. "The next are the two Ambassadors, who are always and at all times, immediately to execute such Orders as shall be to them deliver'd. " Next in Order, followeth his Majesty's Cupbearer, who is always attendant, at his ordinary hours of Repast, and sees that his Table be elegantly and sumptuously furnished, agree- able to the Dignity of his Sacred Person. "The next is his Secretary of State, who hath the care of all Records and Decrees, sends and receives all letters to, and from his Majesty, and hath the sole Management 92 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S of all such Affairs, as fall within the Sphere of his great Office. " And lastly, are the Lords of the Bed-Chamber, who consist of the most worthy of the Schollars, and are always in waiting to attend his Majesty's Royal Pleasure. " The ancient Term of our King's Reign, was originally but twelve days, but of late, we have, by sending a solemn Em- bassy, to the Prior, obtain'd a Licence for four Days more. Our Monarch's usual Residence is in the Calefactory, at both Ends whereof, are constantly kept two great Fires, and in the middle is fixed a large and long Table, where forty or fifty Students may commodiously seat themselves at one Time. Our usual Diversions are Card-playing, and other innocent Amusements, which each Youth pursues (according to the French saying) Chacun a son Gout, every man in his own Taste. Those who by the Moroseness or Avarice of their Parents, are not supplied with Money sufficient to defray their Charges, during the Term of this merry Licence, are for their Encour- agement and Support, allow'd to either boil or roast Apples, which they sell for one Liar^ or French Farthing a-piece. On Twelfth Night, the King sends his Ambassadors to invite the Prior, and some of the Grandees of the House, to an elegant and costly Supper, to which, none except the great Officers of State are admitted ; all the rest being then in waiting, and receive as his Majesty's Bounty, what comes from his royal Table." The monotony of school routine was further broken up by an occasional "jaunt" as the procurator or book-keeper termed the small journeys the boys were from time to time permitted to take, commonly no further than Cambray, where many of the monks and boys had relatives or friends. Other localities visited in this manner were Lille and Alost. The radius must have been considerably extended when the item reads " for Mr. Basil Eyston and young Eyston for to go a 93 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL vacancy — ;^3, 3s." There is, moreover, the frequent recur- rence of a small charge to every boy for " Esquerchin," which was without doubt meant to cover the expenses connected with periodical visits to the country house belonging to St. Gregory's. Another entry, occurring with great regularity and probably of a nature analogous to the last, must go unex plained for lack of precise information. It runs : ''Woods — St. Peter's, &c." Langley's Memoirs illustrate yet another side of schoolboy life, for the incident that follows shews that the eighteenth- century schoolboy was, after all, very like his modern repre- sentative. Even exile could not damp his English spirits and love of harmless fun. Langley relates that ''John Hussey [of Marnhull], William Etherington [i.e. Errington of Denton, Northbld], George Pigot [son of the great Catholic lawyer Nathaniel Pigot], John Racket [nephew of the poet Pope], William Brown (a/ias the Bull)., and I, form'd a conspiracy against the Peace of the Commonwealth, and by a mutual and solemn Engagement, were fully determined to make an Irruption into the kitchen, and there plunder and carry away all we could meet with." In pursuance of this design they "bored two Holes in the Kitchen Door that leads to the Refectory, and fixed two Pieces of Pack thread, black'd on purpose to prevent their being observed, to the Bolts that fastened the Door on the Inside." Notwithstanding all their secrecy, however, they were observed by one of the servants, who told the rest, and all determined to lie in wait for the young marauders and catch them red-handed. Langley pro- ceeds to give a lengthy description of the midnight raid with the greatest possible gusto, describing how they came across "two large Barrels of Raisons, with the Heads of them open," and immediately falling to plunder filled a sack they had provided themselves with. While thus employed, the servants, Frenchmen, fell upon them, and a battle royal ensued. The 94 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S shoemaker, who had a lantern, tried to see who the boys were, but Hussey dashed it out of his hand. The fight waxed fast and furious, and Langley and his companions evi- dently enjoyed their bout with the despised French, whom they drove into the garden. The hub-bub had by this time aroused the house, so it was deemed prudent to beat a "precipitate retreat, and endeavour to regain our Quarters, before the Prefect's Arrival, which was happily effected, and we were all in our respective Beds, pretending to be fast asleep ; but this Artifice would not pass on him, for we not having time to undress, our Cassocks were not as usual spread o'er our Bed-cloaths, and he thereby easily dis- covered us." " The next Morning we were summoned before the Grand Prior, where the poor batter'd and bruis'd Servants made a most pitious Complaint of their Barbarous Treatment, vowing that they would all leave the House except they had ample Satisfaction for the Injury done them. The Prior taking this affair into his Consideration, rightly judged that if he coun- tenanced such open acts of Theft and Hostility, that none would ever serve in the Convent, and that it vastly derogated from his Character, whose Office was to maintain Tranquility throughout his Jurisdiction, and therefore he pronounced this harsh, though just Sentence, that we should for this horrid and ' unparalled ' crime be expelled the College, ,as an example to deter others from the like enormous offence. We were now like Criminals under Sentence of Death, none caring to converse with us, least they should be suspected to be ling'd, or infected with our perverse Dispositions. However, as Mercy is sometimes extended to the most abandon'd Wretches, we all (except the Bull) by great Interest, and the Characters our Masters gave of our being youths of a promising Genius, were repriev'd, and once more on promise of our future good Behaviour, admitted into favour." 95 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Notwithstanding this lucky escape from a richly deserved fate, these youths, instead of settling down quietly to work, vowed to "get even" with the luckless scullion who had got them into trouble, and to whose door they laid the misfortune of the expelled member of their gang. After much consulta- tion they devised a means of wreaking their vengeance on the Frenchman ; Langley being careful to secure the sympathy of his readers by specifying the nationality of the object of their ill-placed animosity. One of the duties of this youth was daily to fetch wood for the kitchen out of the wood house. These boys hid themselves therein behind the faggots, "between the hours of four and five in the afternoon," having provided themselves with "smart switches" and "a cloak belonging to one of the Minor Students, to prevent Suspicion." When the scullion came in and began to load his barrow, one slammed-to the door, the others threw the cloak over his head and tied it round his neck, so as to stifle his cries and prevent their own identification, knocked him down, took down his breeches, and proceeded to punish him in turns till all were weary, when, the bell ringing for study, they rushed off and took their places in the study room as if nothing had occurred, leaving the poor wretch to extricate himself as best he could. Another feature of school life is sickness or accident. At any time, and under the most favourable circumstances, either is unpleasant enough both for patients and nurses. But there is something more than ordinarily distressing in the thought of dreary hours passed on a bed of pain far from the tender care that would be lavished by loving hands at home. Deprived of these offices which so lighten the burthen of pain, illness had its pathetic side for our English lads on a foreign soil ; and, therefore, even after this lapse of time, it is not without a feeling of pity that we read of Henry Mostyn's sickness in 1792, the critical period of which lasted for twenty-two 96 INNER LIFE AT OLD ST. GREGORY'S days. The items connected with this anxious time may be interesting : — To his nurse during his sickness, 22 days To consultation of doctors . To board for the said nurse, @ i.io.o . To wine for Mr. Henry and Mr. Roper To coal and candle during his sickness To a man and horse for going twice to Cambray 22.0.0 15.0.0 33-0.0 15.0.0 16.0.0 21.0.0 122.0.0 Or take the following record of an accident, which tells its own tale readily enough. Lalard broke his leg in June 1791, and the accounts relate the list of disbursements : — To paid for setting his leg . 12. 0.0 To D. James, journey to Arras, horse, &c. 6.15.0 To paid to Barbe, nurse, on a/c . 24. 0.0 To Barbe, nurse .... 0.19.0 To cash, Barbe 38. 0.0 To board for do . 68. 0.0 149. 14.0 Other boys had to requisition the services of the faithful Barbe, or Barbara, who seems to have enjoyed the confidence of the school authorities in all such cases of stress and anxiety. It does not transpire who Barbe was, but later account-books and other papers shew that she survived for many years, and the archives record a small pension granted her from Downside. After following these Gregorians of the eighteenth century through work and play, in health and in sickness, the picture that is impressed on the mind of their twentieth-century representatives is not out of accord with modern experiences. Differences there must necessarily be; but placed side by side and stripped of the mere outward trappings that proclaim the respective periods to which they belong, the Gregorians 97 G DOWNSIDE SCHOOL of then and now are mi fond of the same stamp : the differences are superficial rather than real and fundamental; so that the point of contact between them is in the identity or close similarity of the moulds in which they have been cast. 98 CHAPTER IV THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY, 1792-1795 The French Revolution — Scheme to quit Douay — Escape to England effected by some — Arrest of the remainder — Removal to Esquerchin — Escape thence and recapture — Removal to Douay, thence to Doul- lens — Life in prison — Aid received from friends — Petition for release — Return to Douay — Permission granted to retire to England. The causes, economic and social, which made possible, and finally effected, that awful upheaval of long-established institu- tions in France generally called the Revolution, or, with truer perception of its nature, the Reign of Terror, have no part in this narrative. But the results, as they affected the fortunes of St. Gregory's, were momentous. The record of the general events of the period may be brushed aside ; but those details that directly concern St. Gregory's will naturally find a place in these pages. The story, furnished for the most part by the actual sufferers, must have for all a pathetic human interest apart from the intimate family interest it has ever aroused in the hearts of Gregorians. The chief events need but a word of recapitulation here. The National Assembly asserted and proclaimed its supre- macy in 1789: the tumults that followed so plainly fore- shadowed the fate that awaited the Royal House that Louis XVI. and his family endeavoured to make their escape to England in 1790. The arrangements for this ill-fated attempt, which so nearly proved successful, were made by the Prince Augusta d'Arenberg, Comte de la Marck, whose son Ernest 99 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL was at the time at school at St. Gregory's. He planned the escape from Paris on the outbreak of the Revolution ; but the royal party were discovered in the midst of their flight, forced to return to Paris, and became prisoners in the Tuileries. Then followed the storming of the palace, the massacre of the Swiss guards, and the execution of hundreds, nay, thousands, of royalist and aristocratic prisoners during 1792. In the January of 1793 the ill-fated Louis XVL was led to the guillotine, and the same tragic death befel his beautiful queen, Marie Antoinette ; while the ultimate fate of their son, the boy Dauphin, has remained shrouded in mystery. In February, a declaration of war by the leaders of the newly-constituted Republic against England and other powers followed these horrors. The greatest uneasiness was created amongst the British subjects living in the various English colleges on French soil by these appalling cir- cumstances. Early in 1790 the Republican Government of France had decreed the abolition of religious orders, and had invalidated the taking of vows. British subjects, such as those at St. Gregory's, were left unmolested for the time. With a view to escaping the effects of the invalidation of vows, the novices of St. Gregory's then ready to be professed were sent outside the limits of French jurisdiction, and there making their vows, consecrated their lives to God, and returned immediately to Douay. In the early autumn of 1790 FF. Thomas Barker and George Turner were thus professed at Brussels in evasion of the decree. During that year, too, the Prior of St. Gregory's, Dom Jerome Sharrock, was in negotiation with the authorities of various towns in the States of Flanders, with a view to transferring St. Gregory's monas- tery and school bodily from Douay to some quieter and more peaceful locality. In such estimation were the English monks held, that boys of the best families of the adjacent country had been entrusted to them for education; and when the THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY question of their possible migration was mooted and a circu- lar issued by the president of the English Benedictines to the cities of Flanders to elicit their sentiments towards the establishment of a foreign community amongst them, many cities vied with each other in their endeavours to secure the settlement of the English monks in their midst. Ghent, Bruges, Courtray, Alost, Gudenarde, and Nieuport may be mentioned in illustration. Any final decision to quit Douay was deferred till the last moment in the vain hope that the worst would soon be past, and that things would settle them- selves into something like the old order. But previously to this, when the National Assembly had decreed the suppression of the French establishments of education, and appropriated their property, D. Jerome Sharrock, following the example of the superiors of the English secular college, claimed exemption, and obtained it, on the score that St. Gregory's was British property ; but in order to estabHsh this claim, the title-deeds were required at Paris for examination, and it was owing to their detention in the capital that later the revenues of our property were for a long time paid to the secular procurator of the Irish college, as representing the united British colleges, and delay was caused in the restitution of St. Gregory's to its lawful owners. As foreigners also, they were exempted from taking the "civic oath," and, moreover, they claimed under the terms of the Treaty of Navigation and Commerce of September 26, 1786, exemption from any obligation of attending divine service in public churches, and the privilege of performing without molestation the exercises of religion privately in their own house. This claim had been allowed ; but in December 1 79 1, in virtue of a severely- worded decree ordering all eccle- siastics who had not hitherto taken the oath {non assermentes) to appear personally before the Directory, D. Jerome Sharrock, in company with the superiors of the other English houses in Douay, was peremptorily summoned to appear within a stated lOI DOWNSIDE SCHOOL time. They all remonstrated strongly against being subjected to an exaction of such a nature, and their objections were admitted as valid. Early in 1793, ^.fter the execution of the king, and when the excesses that disgraced the Reign of Terror left no man's life safe, it was felt that a move must speedily be made; and in view of the great sympathy shewn to the royalist refugees in England, and the courteous reception accorded to priests and nuns who had fled across the Channel, D. Jerome Sharrock determined not to accept hospitality close to the French frontiers, but boldly to throw himself on the generosity of his countrymen and to seek a harbour of refuge for his community and its dependent school on the native soil of England. In this connection the following letter, written by Prior Sharrock to President Walker, speaks for itself: it is like the muttering of the thunder-clouds before the storm breaks in all its fury : — " DouAY, February 27, 1 793. " Dear Sir, — A few days ago several young people from the English college set out for England. When they arrived at Calais they were much surprised to find that they could not proceed without a passeport from a Secretary of State in London. Accordingly they returned to St. Omers, where, I presume, they are waiting for the said passeports. Last night arrived here from Dieulouard, on his way to England, a boy about fourteen years of age, by name Samuel Lucas. You will please to get a passeport for him as soon as possible and send it to us. Indeed, in the singular position in which we now find ourselves, it would be a very convenient thing if we had all one, to make use of in case of need. For this purpose it may be proper you should have a list of those that compose both sides of the house. You will find it on the other side. Nothing particular has happened to us since my last ! The seals are not yet taken off, nor yet placed at Esquerchin. I 102 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY forgot to tell you that all the British houses in our town have two or three soldiers lodged within their houses. We have two. Adieu, dear sir. — Yours, "J. S." (i.e. Jerome Sharrock). James Sharrock. Thomas Holderness, lay brother. Michael Lorymer. William Quince, ,, ,, Richard Kendall. William Wilson, ,, ,, John Culshaw. Joseph Barber, ,, „ Peter Marsh. Lawrence Griffin. Thomas Barker. John Dubeux. George Turner. Ralph Radcliffe. Joseph Eldridge. Paul Martin. Joseph Howarden. Lewis Martin. John Harrison. John Kay. James Deday. Charles Hickson. Simeon Lord, Esq. Henry Mostyn. Wm. Sharrock (Br. Benedict Mostyn. Joseph), lay brother. In the foregoing list the number of boys is very small. This is accounted for by the fact that most of the French boys had already betaken themselves home. From the numbers at that period on the school books, there can be no doubt that many also of the English boys crossed the Channel when the prospect was looking particularly black. Douay was ex- pecting a siege by the allied forces invading France, and consequently a hostile attitude was assumed by the towns- people towards the British subjects residing in the various colleges and religious houses. Many students of the great secular college, as well as of St. Gregory's, thus forewarned in time, managed to obtain the necessary passports, and, having money, escaped to England without much trouble and hard- ship. Others, less fortunate and not provided with means, nevertheless ventured upon making their escape, trusting, 103 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL under the merciful providence of God, to good fortune, and to their own natural pluck and resourcefulness. In a letter written by Prior Sharrock to President Walker on April i, 1 79 1, we read : " Our turbulent troops quitted us this morn- ing. There was a moment when we feared they might have carried their rage (for who can tell how far madness will go?) against Little Derbaix at our house, but Providence kindly averted it." The reference is to the hneute that signalised the first outbreak of the anarchic spirit in Douay, on which occa- sion, as a boy who had formerly been at the secular college has left on record, the worst passions of the mob were inflamed by the harangues of two orators belonging to the National Assembly, who ascribed the miseries of the time, not to their true cause, the late bad harvests, but to the rapacity of the rich. Li their fury the excited populace fell on the good and loyal citizens. Two of their victims, as soon as they were seized, were hanged from the nearest lamp-post, and their bodies, with a refinement of brutality, were afterwards dragged about the streets throughout the ensuing night in tumultuous procession. One of these unfortunates was a Mons. Derbaix, father of our Gregorian, a publisher or newspaper proprietor who had made himself obnoxious to the demagogues by the fearlessly loyal tone of his press. From the letter of February 27, 1793, already quoted, it has been gathered that guards were billeted on the college ; this is explained by another letter from one of the boys of the secular college, dated February 21, 1793, given at length in Mgr. Ward's History of St. Edmund's College. " On the morning of Monday last," says the writer, " the i8th of the present month, a body of national guards was ordered to assemble in the market-place, without being informed of the design of their expedition. They were no sooner assembled, and their commissaries from the district arrived, but they filed off to the five British establishments which are settled in our 104 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY town. We had not been informed of their coming till a few moments before their arrival, when some people, with counte- nances bespeaking their fears, ran to inform us that the guards were assembled to expel us from our habitations. I leave you to judge of our alarms at this information. They arrived soon after, and summoned the president and some others into the parlour. There an apostate priest and monk of Marchiennes, as a member of the district, read over a warrant which autho- rised them to impose the national seals upon the goods and papers of the college, as also those of the superiors. . . . The guards in general formed a despicable collection ; they were seemingly the scum of the town. The commissaries were equally unknown to us. . . . The pretended motive of these proceedings was to put our property in security, as a storm, they said, seemed to be gathering against us from people of inferior conditions, among whom several rumours, unfavour- able to us, had been spread. . . . The real cause was unknown to us for some time, but a letter received from Paris seems to unravel the whole mystery. . . . The letter clearly discovers to you the reason of our goods being sealed, and shews the cause traced up to the National Convention. The decree of the 9th last August mentioned is a decree by which all incor- porate bodies, without exception, were declared suppressed. On hearing this we were not alarmed, because we did not suppose it regarded strangers ; but we were deceived. The decree of the 14th instant, February, declares that English, &c., &c., colleges should receive the pay of their funds till the expiration of the six first months in 1793, ordering the Committees of Instruction, Surveillance, and that of Alienation to prepare the final decree. . . ." Matters were rapidly coming to a crisis. After the defeat of General Dumourier by the allies, the Republican troops fell back upon Douay, and a siege appearing imminent, an order was issued by an " Arrete des Corps Administratifs 105 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL scant a Douai, reunis au Commandant de I'Arrondissement," dated August 8, 1793, obliging, amongst others, all British subjects within the town to quit it within twenty-four hours. The community and remaining boys of St. Gregory's accord- ingly withdrew to their country house at Esquerchin, where they stayed unmolested for some weeks. During the progress of these disturbances, but whether before or after the seizure of St. Gregory's does not appear, Ralph Radcliffe, one of our boys, was, with some others, according to his younger brother's account, allowed to leave the school and make his way to England as best he could. The subjoined narrative is copied from the Ampleforth Journal (July 1900), and is without doubt typical of what befel more than one youngster hailing either from St. Gregory's or from the secular college. " This {i.e. the attempt to escape to England) was no easy matter, for soldiers were scouring the country and there was much difficulty in avoiding them. They left Douay in small parties to avoid suspicion, but they soon found they must separate. Ralph changed clothes with a peasant, and with a companion made his way homewards, meeting with many wonderful escapes and dangers. The country people were generally kind to the fugitives when they asked for shelter, but were deterred from shewing them the needed hospitality through fear of the consequences. On one occasion a kind-hearted man, seeing their distressed appearance, took them into his house and gave them a night's lodging. In the morning, to their horror, they found soldiers drawn up in front of the house. They were evidently suspected and, as they feared, in great peril. Their kind host, however, shewed them a kind of drain or culvert which led to the back of the house, through which they crept and made their escape." The narrative does not inform us how Ralph managed to cross the Channel nor how he accomplished the long journey from Dover, where he probably landed, to his home at Stearsby in Yorkshire, and 106 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY is thus distinctly disappointing ; but it leaves the impression that he travelled the greater part of the way on foot, possibly at times getting a passing lift; and after many dangers and sufferings at last reached home without shoes or stockings, and with his clothes in rags. Later, when St. Gregory's was settled at Acton Burnell, Ralph rejoined his former as- sociates, took the habit, and died on his seven- tieth birthday, January 4, 1842. When the members of St. Gregory's, in com- pliance with the order of August 8, 1793, re- tired on the following afternoon to Esquer- chin, the prior, D. Jerome Sharrock, was permitted to remain in Douay for the purpose of protecting St. Gre- gory's, as far as pos- sible, from fire and pillage. At Esquer- chin the party remained under guard for several weeks. While they were quartered here a plan was concocted to effect their escape, and an attempt made to put it into execu- tion. The exact date does not transpire ; but one night, under cover of darkness, they left the country house in parties of two or three, agreeing to meet at a certain farmhouse whose owner 107 A VIEW ACROSS THE NORTH TRANSEPT [Front the Tii/briutn) DOWNSIDE SCHOOL had formerly been a student in the school, and was of course friendly to them. This rendezvous they reached safely, and after a rest proceeded towards the frontier, and had reached within half a mile of the Austrian lines when they stumbled upon French sentinels, who fired upon them. Half the party eluded the guard and got back safely to Esquerchin, but the remainder were seized, taken to headquarters at Monsen, and thence, after undergoing examination, to the prison of the Annonciades at Douay, which they reached famished and spent with fatigue, and there they remained till transferred once more to Esquerchin. Thus the time passed wearily enough till, the danger of a siege being over, a sudden order was given early in October for all to return to their respective houses in Douay. Little suspecting the object of this move, they joyfully made their way back, expecting to be at liberty to resume their old course of life ; but on October 12 another order was issued, proclaiming the subjects of his Britannic Majesty dwelling in Douay to be under a state of arrest within their own houses till peace should be established. On the same day two commissioners, Citizens Cautet and Fradiel, made a domiciliary visit to St. Gregory's, while others went at the same time to the English secular college. At both places seals were put on all the doors. One purpose of the visit they declared was to arrest certain British subjects, but they found none of those they were particularly sent to search for. After a few more days of painful suspense the mandate came for the members both of St. Gregory's and of the secular college to be removed at once to the citadel of Doullens in Picardy. There were but six of the former, namely, the prior, Dom Jerome Sharrock ; the subprior, Dom Anselm Lorymer ; Simeon Lord, Esq. ; Thomas Barker ; Joseph Eldridge, who had been professed only a year previously ; and Joseph Barber, a lay brother. The party from the secular college numbered forty-one. On Wednesday, October 16, 1793, these companions 108 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY in misfortune went forth prisoners from the walls that had sheltered them and their predecessors for two centuries, and commenced their journey to DouUens, leaving behind at St. Gregory's two lay brothers, who through age and infirmity were unequal to the journey ; one of these. Brother Joseph Sharrock, brother of the prior, died soon after, broken-hearted at the desolation that had overtaken his home. It is gratify ing to know that the townsmen of Douay, who had learnt to love the strangers within their gates, exhibited no triumph, but rather sympathy, at the downfall of the unoffending English- men. Father Hodgson, one of the secular collegians thus hurried away to prison, lived to recount their sufferings, and in the Catholic Magazine for March 1831 (p. 89) states : "On Wednesday, October 16, about one, or between one and two o'clock, sixty-three individuals, of whom forty-seven were English, seated in eight open waggons, as mentioned above, and escorted by dragoons and gens-d'armes, exhibited a sad spectacle to the good and thoughtful amongst the townsmen of Douay. . . . We must do them the justice to say, that from the Scotch college to Esquerchin gate, which is near a mile, through some of the most populous streets, we saw much pity and indignant sympathy, and nothing of exultation or insult." After a long afternoon's drive they reached Arras, some twenty miles distant, where they were lodged for the night in the barracks, and next morning resumed their journey and reached DouUens about sunset. All the party were huddled together into a sally-port under the ramparts, and buying a little straw at eight sous the bundle, they settled themselves down for the night as best they could in this dark subterranean passage, hitherto used by the soldiers as a place of easement, and not inaptly termed by one of the victims a " Black Hole." There they remained till eleven next morning, when they were transferred to a garret. It was on the feast of St. Luke the 109 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Evangelist, October i8, that they began here a life of regularity not unlike that they had been accustomed to at Douay, but under strangely different circumstances. Prior Sharrock com- forted his fellow-prisoners, reminding them how appropriate were the words used by the Church in the collect of the festival, which recorded of St. Luke that he " constantly bore in his body the mortification of the Cross for the honour of the name of Jesus." It was suggested that regularity conduced to happiness, and that even under such unpropitious circumstances they should make a division of their time for the duties of prayer, study, and recreation. They had but few books with them, and scanty convenience for reading them, for the light from a few small windows was very inadequate. The days, too, were growing shorter and shorter, and there was scarcely any arti- ficial light during the long winter evenings. Yet they pre- served their cheerfulness, and in large measure their health. They rose between 6 and 7 a.m., cleaned up their garret as tidily as possible, stowing away the straw in one corner till it was required for the next night ; and, much to the astonish- ment of their French guards, who failed to appreciate the necessity of cleanliness either for themselves or for others, went out regularly to a trough in the yard for their morning ablutions. Morning prayers and meditation followed, and were succeeded by a scanty breakfast of dry bread and thin milk, after which came time for study, broken by a quarter of an hour's exercise, taken under the supervision of the guards. Dinner, a very unpunctual meal, was sup- posed to be at noon if their gaolers were so minded, followed by recreation lasting till two o'clock. Studies were then resumed till 4.30 p.m., and afterwards they again took exercise. The evening was spent in reading, followed by supper at such hour as it was given to them ; and at 9 p.m., after prayers said in public, they littered their straw once more, and betook no THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY themselves to rest, forgetting the sorrows of one day in the sleep that prepared them to meet those of the next. The succession of prayers, studies, meals, and recreations made the days at Doullens pass as easily as could be expected under such circumstances. There is in the library of St. Edmund's Abbey at Douay a relic of those trying times — a book which shared their captivity. It is a copy of the Sinner's Guide, London, 1760. Inside the cover are written or scribbled the following names: '''' Bulbeck ; Jac. Thornton, 1775; Thos. Smith, Dour lens Citadel — i7t prison.^' On the title-page is written : "Coll: Angl: 1789"; and on the margin there is a faint outUne of an old man's face, nose and chin almost meeting, surmounted by a nightcap, or cap of liberty, with the tassel dangling over his nose, and entitled a native of Dourlens, but it would stand equally well for a prototype of Mr. Punch. There is record of another book used by the Doullens prisoners. Dom Lorymer, writing in after years (London, December 14, 1797) to Prior Sharrock, thus recalls to his mind : " . . . There is a work called Transitus Aninice, which, I believe, you read at Doullens. . . ." Father Hodgson's narrative, already quoted, here furnishes an interesting addition to our knowledge of the details of the life led by the British prisoners at Doullens, especially in regard to Gregorian s. He states : " Mr. Sharrock's family shared with us all the rigours of confinement, and by their company, conversation, example, and courage helped and edified us in every change of scene and distress. They were but six in number ; of consequence, it was easier for them to find a regular meal at a fixed time. This they did at the licensed ale-house {cantine) — if anything like ale can be found in France — which was, for one part of our time, within the narrow precincts of our enclosure. In this alone they may be said to have fared better than ourselves. But bad was the best. Their finances, like our own, were limited and precarious. DOWNSIDE SCHOOL French fare at the time, when the law of inaxhmwi and re- quisitiojis had nearly shut up shops, shambles, and markets, was very poor doings for hungry stomachs, at any price which their poor pockets could afford. We found more than sym- pathetic friendship at their hands. Their extraordinaries were liberally extended to many of us. A cup of coffee was a luxury ; and the writer of these lines and others have often received it from their generous hand. A glass of unadul- terated and generous wine, since the time that the law of maximum had frightened all ivine into vinegar^ and had poisoned all brandy with vitriol^ was a very scarce boon indeed. Some friends, however, supplied them with some of a very choice and valuable quality ; and this their liberality poured out to the sick, for the use of the altar, and to indi- viduals, with the hospitable charity of Benedictine religious." A letter preserved in the Downside archives gives the key to this last paragraph, and deserves inclusion here as a tribute both to the generous donor, an old Gregorian, and to the character of him who had inspired so lasting an affection in his old pupil. " Rheims, le i6 Thermidor, an 4. " Cher Citoyen ! — Je me refera a la lettre que j'ai eu le plaisir de vous ecrire le 9 de ce mois, laquelle contenoit, un assign de 400 (francs) No. 351, serie 1180, et que j'ai fais charger a votre addresse. Cette lettre etoit en reponse k la chere votre du 27 Messidor. Avisez m'en je vous prie la bonne reception. " Par la presente, je vous donne avis, que j'ai fait partir pour vous parvenir en 1 5 jours, franc de tout payment et de post, un panier No. i. JS., contenant 120 Bould : Champagne rouge de 1788, audessus du panier sont 12 demie bouteilles vin de Rota. Je desire que ce vin vous parvienne sans retard, et assez a tems pour le retablissement de votre sante a la 112 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY quelle je prens I'interet d'un bon pupile, qui reconnoissant des soins que vous avez pris pour lui dans ses tendres annees, ne peut oublier le souvenir de vos bontes. Nos vignes se pre- parent bien, et nous avons I'espoir d'une bonne vendange. Mes complimens sincers au C. Lorimer, et recevez de nouveau les sentimens d'attachement de votre affectione et ancien disciple, J. Ruinart. "Avisez moi, je vous prie, aussi la reception du panier de vin. " Au Citoyen J. Sharrock, au cydevant Chateau a Doullens. "Lu au Comite revol^'"^^ de la Commune de Doullens." Father Hodgson then proceeds : " Greater cordiality and union could not exist between brothers than existed between the English Benedictines and us. And at this day I and others cherish the recollection of the black hole, the garret, and other circumstances of our confinement, with a soothing satisfaction, for the acquisition of six such friends as Mr. Sharrock, Mr. Lorymer, Mr. Lord, Mr. Barker, Mr. Eldridge, and Mr. Barber. Animas candidiores nusquam tulit tellus. " To them we were indebted for the great happiness of being able to say mass. They had just time enough before the arrival of the gens d^armes at Esquerchin, to secrete a chalice, an altar stone, about a hundied unconsecrated hosts, wax, and one complete set of green vestments. Provi- dentially the whole arrived safe and unknown to our persecutors." One consolation was, of course, denied them : the presence in their midst of the Blessed Sacrament to be their joy and comfort ; but their sorrows were greatly mitigated, and they gained strength to bear them with greater fortitude and resig- nation from the inestimable privilege thus secured by the foresight, nay, instinct, of the Gregorians, in preserving from 113 H DOWNSIDE SCHOOL the general confiscation the essentials for the celebration of the holy sacrifice. By the help of baskets, boxes, and shutters, they contrived to raise a structure whereon to place the altar stone. For fear of arousing suspicion, they rose very quietly and knelt on the straw so as to avoid making any noise ; and thus on All Saints' day, mass was said for the first time by Prior Sharrock, and next day again mass was offered up for the holy souls ; and once again before Christmas were they accorded the boon of assisting at the holy sacrifice. In the sacristy at Downside is preserved a neat little chalice with an inscription on the base recording that the secular and regular priests, confined at Doullens, had used it for the celebration of the holy sacri- fice during the days of their imprisonment. Doullens being in a different diocese from that in which Douay was situated, the confessors had no faculties to hear confessions. As Christmas approached, they felt the need of supplying this deficiency, and four of the boy-prisoners under- took to make their escape, promising to make their way first of all to the diocesan, the Bishop of Amiens, then in hiding in Tournay. The attempt was successful ; the necessary faculties were readily granted, and the reception by the prisoners of a preconcerted word sent back by their more fortunate com- rades, assured them at the same time of their own good for- tune in escaping and of the granting of the coveted faculties. Meanwhile, on November 9, 1793, the maire and municipal officials of Douay received an order from the Directory of the district of Douay to make search in the grounds of St. Gre- gory's for treasure supposed to be buried therein; but there is no evidence that they met with any success. This is not to be wondered at ; for previously, by a proces verbal, dated April 30, 1790, Prior Sharrock had declared that they were possessed of " aucun meuble precieux : nous n'avons trouve que quel- ques tableaux ordinaires." And the same document intimates 114 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY that their fixed revenue from all sources had amounted yearly on an average to 5567.19.3 (livres) only; and that the quan- tity of plate they possessed sufficed for sixty persons only; while they found in the safe but 3500 livres; "en ce compris les pensions de pensionnaires ecoliers, qui paient trois rnois d'avance." Shortly after the commencement of 1794, ten or twelve, emboldened by the successful escape of their comrades, followed their example with similar good luck ; but the diminished numbers were some four months later not only replenished but increased by the addition of Dr. Stapleton and the prisoners from St. Omers. In this way a whole year was spent, until the sudden downfall of Robespierre. The relief in the condition of the Doullens prisoners was at once perceptible, and the restrictions from which they had hitherto suffered were somewhat relaxed. They were thus emboldened to present an earnest petition to the proper authorities, which, after some delay, was granted. This document is couched in such fearless though respectful terms, and conveys so graphic a picture of the sufferings that they had endured, that the translation of it here given will vividly bring home to us the realities of that period. It has never hitherto been made public. " To Citizen Merlin, at Douay. ^ " Doullens, 25 Frtutidor {September 11, 1794). " Citizen ! — Though your occupations are many and im- portant, I venture to intrude upon them for the purpose of directing your attention for a moment to the pitiable con- dition to which some hundred youths, together with their masters, the remnant of the different British houses formerly situated at Douay and St. Omers, now find themselves re- duced. Driven from their establishments in the month of August of last year by different decrees of their respective 115 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL departments, for a time wandering here and there, their goods confiscated by virtue of a decree of last October, locked up for some days, then marched from prison to prison, and finally left at DouUens, where they have been detained for several months ; they appeal to your sense of justice and to your humanity. While not wishing to complain of anything, we feel persuaded that we have not been treated in the past nor are we at the present moment being treated either according to the letter or the spirit of the decrees of the convention, nor according to your wishes. We were brought here at the commencement of last winter in a state of terrible destitution, without money and without the opportunity of procuring any ; without a single mattress, without linen, exposed to all the hardships of a severe winter, without any support either for ourselves or for our numerous pupils. Huddled together in a garret open to rain and snow, with difficulty obtaining a little straw whereon to stretch ourselves, for six weeks begging for that bread which you allow gratis to your worst criminals, and for which we were told we would have to pay. These are the conditions under which we have groaned for eleven months. The inevitable result of such a state of things has necessarily been the sickness of many and the death of one or two. We could not obtain even the simplest remedies for the most serious cases. But why need I go on ? I know that this picture will touch your feelings ; and I repeat that I can never believe that our miserable lot was conform- able to the wishes of the convention. You will gladly find out the means of coming to our aid, and I think you will take it in good part if I suggest the most obvious. What is there to stand in the way of allowing us to betake ourselves, to- gether with our students, beyond the borders of the Republic ? What should keep us here now that our goods have been confiscated and our establishments proscribed? No good can accrue from our detention, no harm can arise from our ii6 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY release. If, however, some greater reason, unknown to us and unimaginable, is urged against permission for our departure, might not some suitable form of Hberty be granted to us? The motives which caused us to be deprived of it have no longer any existence, and there is no reason to fear that we should abuse it if granted. Our conduct has always hitherto been, and always will be, peaceable and worthy of commenda- tion. If we must needs still be kept under arrest, at least let us be detained in one of our own houses ; above all, grant us a pittance suited to our losses and our wants, derived, if you think fit, from the funds confiscated from us. The French RepubHc, in possessing itself of our goods, acquires at one stroke, independently of our houses and the lands thereto belonging, a fixed income of 60,000 francs, arising from diffe- rent capital sums derived from Great Britain and placed out in your public funds. Might you not grant us from this sum a modest pension till such time as leave is given us to withdraw ourselves? In taking possession of our colleges you will have found therein about 500 mattresses and 1000 coverlets. Could they not — indeed, should they not — provide us with a certain number of these ? We should derive the greatest benefit from them, for at this very moment there prevails amongst us a contagious sickness ; and you are aware how rapidly these disorders spread, especially amongst youths confined in too close contact with one another. Two have already died, others are in great danger, and yet what sort of beds are they constrained to use ? A little straw, and often the bare boards ! There is here a respectable English lady who has just lost her son, carried off in a few days. This delicate mother is herself ill through tending her child. She was forced to sleep several days and nights on the boards for want of straw. The father asked as a favour that he might be allowed to follow his son's body to the grave. This favour was refused him. You, citizen, who are yourself 117 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL a father, picture to yourself the pitiable state of these parents. Imagine your own son had been in England, whither he had gone to obtain an education denied him in his own country, when the war between France and Great Britain broke out, and that he was incarcerated and almost destitute like our students. What would be your feelings? What would be your anguish ? Picture to yourself, then, the parents of our youths, of whom and from whom they have not heard a syllable for so many months. Come, we beseech you, to our aid, for we believe that it is easy for you as being a member of the Board of Public Safety to help us." This outspoken, and at the same time pathetic, appeal led to a correspondence between the commissioners of civil administration at Paris and the administrators of the district of Douay. The former, writing on the loth Vendemiaire, an 3 (October i, 1794) state that as Douay was sufficiently removed from the theatre of war, they desire the authorities there to select from amongst the national buildings in their town a house of detention suitable for the prisoners referred to, and to make all proper arrangements for their immediate reception, adding that they would have to furnish the Benedic- tines with a complete outfit of clothing, fuel, and furniture, and two francs each a day. The revolutionary authorities at Douay replied that for various reasons they did not want the monks back in their town, and that, in fact, there was no build- ing available for their reception. One of the alleged reasons is worth quoting as an unconscious and unintended tribute to the influence they had formerly exercised on the townspeople through the school. They aver of the monks : " Que leur con- duite a Douay, lors qu'ils y etoient, et leur opinion n'ont pas peu contribue a pervertir I'esprit public, notamment parmi les jeunes gens." The central authorities paid scant attention to this splenetic effusion, and, under date of 6th Frimaire (November 118 THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY 26, 1794), they sent them a notification to the effect that the prisoners at Doullens had already started, were actually on their way back, and were to be confined for the present in the buildings of the Irish college. They had left Doullens two days previously, and when they arrived in Douay they were allowed to take up their quarters once more in their old home. But what a change met their gaze ! Their beloved home, which had sheltered them and their forefathers, as well as the hundreds of youths entrusted to their care during well- nigh two centuries, had been desecrated. The abomination of desolation had been in the holy place. The goddess of Reason had for some time been worshipped there, where for so many years had dwelt the Holy of Holies. The church in which the daily office had been sung for more than a century and a half had been used as a receptacle for bells plundered from various churches, to be melted down and cast into cannon ; and for a period at least, by an order dated February 5, 1794, St. Gregory's had served as a prison wherein were incarcerated the local aristocracy till they could be deported to Compiegne. The monks, though treated as prisoners, were nevertheless enabled to resume their conventual duties with some degree of regularity. Not in the church alone had impiety and van- dalism done their ruinous work. The splendid library, said by one authority to have contained 80,000 volumes, the slow accumulation and growth of years, was scattered. As early as 1627, Dom Leander Jones told Abbot Caverel that " multi- tudo librorum nostrorum magna est, et copia selecta " — that they comprised many and select books. This huge library must have been the one that belonged to the college of St. Vaast, to which Gregorians would have had free access; for in the inventory made in 1790 the monastery library, as distinct from that of St. Vaast, is stated to contain 1 149 folio volumes, 819 quartos, 1287 in octavo, and 1360 of 119 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL smaller sizes ; in all 4615 volumes. Some of these still exist in the public library, bearing the old book-stamp of St. Gregory's ; others have found their way to the town libraries of Lille and Arras ; while many were torn up for the manu- facture of cartridges. A very few found their way to Down- side, and the correspondence of Luke Bellew shews that many of the more important works had been distributed among trusty friends in the town for safe keeping at the outbreak of the revolutionary troubles ; but there is no means now of knowing whether they ever found their way back either to our library or to the local public collections. The church was stripped of every movable thing it contained. Father Lawson, who when Prior of Downside visited Douay in after years in an endeavour to take possession once more of the property, wrote as follows from Douay to Fr. Henry Parker at Paris, on January 22, 1816 : " . . . There are four [of our] paintings in the Museum, one in St. Peter's Church. Our organ is in the Church of Notre Dame; our high altar in the Church of the English Friars [now known as that dedi- cated to St. Jacques]. The marble flags of the choir are there also, the flags of the other parts of the church in other places. M. Boule showed me them all. I could not find in Douay the large painting of St. Gregory singing mass, which was at the head of the choir against the window." Meanwhile, the unfortunate remnant of the once flourishing establishment found itself back in the old home, knowing that precise orders as to their maintenance had been issued, while at the same time no attention was being paid to their fulfil- ment. On December 8, accordingly, we find them memo- rialising the local authorities as to their immediate needs, and the rights they had acquired under the terms of the decree in their favour, and requesting to be granted a speedy chance of avaihng themselves of them. Not getting an immediate answer, they again repeated their application after the lapse THE ABANDONMENT OF DOUAY of a fortnight^ with the result that by the first week of the new year each individual was provided with a silk tie, an overcoat {houpelande)^ a vest, a pair of breeches, a hat, a pair of shoes, two handkerchiefs {inoiichoirs de nez), two shirts, and two pairs of socks. In the disturbed state of affairs in France, however, it was evident that Douay could no longer be relied upon to afford a home, nor could English parents be expected to risk the lives and liberties of their sons by sending them there for their education. If, then, the work of the past was to be resumed, it would have to be done elsewhere ; and all hearts now turned with a great yearning to England. The severity of the penal laws had of late years been mitigated, and it was hoped that schools and even religious houses might be permitted to exist on the soil where they had been for so long proscribed. For rumours were already in the air of Catholic emancipation ; and England had opened her arms with generous sympathy, and, in response to the sacred claims of hospitality, had already received large numbers of the French emigre clergy. If England had shewn herself so willing to help and receive strangers, surely she would not reject her own sons ! So the poor exiles argued; and thus it came about that every influence was brought to bear to obtain passports authorising them to betake themselves to England. In the beginning of 1795 the Rev. Gregory Stapleton, President of St. Omers secular school, was allowed to journey to Paris, and there presented in the proper quarter a petition for the release of the members of the two secular colleges. To this document were appended the signa- tures of the Benedictine fathers, without any distinguishing mark. At last, after many repulses, the long-desired per- mission was obtained; and on February 9, 1795, an order from the Committee of Public Safety was received, allowing the masters and pupils of the English schools established in Douay and St. Omers to return to their own country, and DOWNSIDE SCHOOL empowering the local magistrates to release them from im- prisonment and furnish them with passports to leave France. The permits were made out for ninety-two individuals, and, according to the terms of the document, they were to make their way to Calais and there embark on a neutral vessel for passage across the Channel. These precious passports were received at Douay on the 19th of the same month. With hearts full of joy and hope they set about their preparations for the homeward journey without delay. " Post tot labores, post tot discrimina rerum, tendimus in Latium." On Feb- ruary 26 the final adieu was bid to Douay both by the seculars and by the Benedictines, and as they had shared the hardships of imprisonment, so now they journeyed in company to Bethune and to St. Omers, where they heard mass on Sunday, March i, and thence pushed on for Calais, which they reached the same evening. The following day they crossed the Channel in an American vessel, and landed at Dover on the afternoon of Monday, March 2, 1795. Thus came to an end the long exile of well-nigh two cen- turies, and a new era was commenced. The history of St. Gregory's from that day to the present time, though not want- ing in vicissitudes grave enough to cause deep anxiety to those entrusted with the burthen of responsibility, has not had to record another crisis so serious as that which threatened its continuance when the French Republicans broke up the estab- lishments of the seculars and of the Benedictines and of the other British subjects in Douay. Happier circumstances have surrounded the domicile of St. Gregory's on English soil ; and the position it has secured for itself in the estimation, not only of its friends and well-wishers, but also of strangers to the faith, has been such that not only has it brought no discredit on the record of the past, but has enhanced the reputation won under conditions hard for us to realise in these days of freedom. CHAPTER V ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 Shelter offered by the Smythe family — Tournay — Acton Burnell — Anec- dotes relating to the commencement of the school there — Early pro- spectus — Prospects and proposals — Fear of a French invasion and a suggested volunteer cadet corps at Acton Burnell — Description of the chapel there — Ideas of a return to Douay, and condition of the Douay property — Rev. Chetwode Eustace — Death of Sir Edward Smythe, and consequent urgency of finding a property to replace Acton Burnell — Search for a suitable property — Selection and purchase of Downside — Death of Prior Kendal — The migration from Acton Burnell to Downside. Monday, March 2, 1795, is a red-letter day in the calendar of St. Gregory's, for it marks the parting of the ways in its record. The night of persecution and exile from that date began to glide into the dawn of a partial freedom, which in its turn passed into the brightness of the noonday of the Catholic revival. In that revival St. Gregory's has played its part; and whether by the rulers that Alma Mater has fur- nished to the Church or by its share in the work of education, it has added to its record during the nineteenth century. In 1795 bigoted prejudice and ignorance both of the teaching and of the lives of the Catholic clergy were as marked a feature of the mind of the average Englishman as they had been any time during the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, there was a growing tendency towards granting greater tolera- tion to the Catholic subjects of his Britannic Majesty ; added to which, horror at the excesses of the Reign of Terror and 123 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL pity for its outcast victims led the nation to extend its arms in welcome to the unfortunate French refugees who fled for safety and protection to our hospitable shores. At one time some 700 emigre priests and others were lodged and cared for at Government expense in Winchester Gaol, which had been hastily prepared for their accommodation. Under such circumstances no distinction was made between Frenchmen and Englishmen ; and George III. himself is well known to have taken a personal interest in the housing of a community of Benedictine nuns, amongst whom were several English ladies, which landed while he was at Weymouth. This community is now settled at Princethorpe, in Warwick- shire. At such a propitious moment St. Gregory's was transferred, temporarily as was then thought, from Douay to England ; and, by the generosity of an old Gregorian, was opportunely sheltered when the monks were practically unable to provide for themselves. This generous benefactor towards his old school was Sir Edward Smythe, fifth baronet, of Eshe in the county of Durham, of Acton Burnell in Shropshire, and (through his wife) of Wootton Hall in Warwickshire. Born on May 21, 1758, he, like his father and grandfather and many other relatives, was sent to St. Gregory's for his education. He entered the school about 1770 : the precise date is lost with the books that registered it ; but his admission to the sodality took place on December 8, 1772. Three years later he had so far won the hearts of his fellow-students as by their suf- frages to be elected king for the Christmas of 1775. His departure from Douay and his entrance into the larger world would have taken place not long after, certainly not later than 1777. On October 15, 1781, he married Catherine Maria, daughter and heiress of Peter Holford, of Wootton Hall, co. Warwick, Esq., by whom he had an only son and heir. His 124 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 father-in-law, Peter Holford, was descended from a younger branch of the Holfords of Holford, in Cheshire, and married Constantia, the widow of John Wright, of Kelvedon, in Essex, Esq. (himself an old Gregorian), and daughter of Francis Smith, of Ashton, in Shropshire, Esq., and his wife Catherine Southcott. This Francis Smith had been as a boy at St. Gregory's, having been resident there about 1743, together with his brother Charles, and later had married the sister of one of his school companions. Peter Holford was a convert. He and his sister Elizabeth were instructed, received into the Church, and confirmed by Bishop Challoner. The young converts then went abroad, and Peter, placing his sister in a convent, went himself to Douay, and stayed for some time as a " con- victor " at St. Gregory's. Here probably he first became acquainted with the Smythe family ; and just as he had in- herited Wootton Hall through his wife, heiress of the Smiths, Viscounts Carrington, so too the same estates passed into the possession of the Smythes through his only surviving child ; and it was probably due to this circumstance that Sir Edward was able to offer the hospitality of his Shropshire seat to the monks from Douay, lodging them in a portion of his own mansion there. He even carried his generosity so far as to add a wing and to set aside a portion of the park that they might open a school for boys, and thus carry on the good work associated with their sojourn at, Douay, and temporarily brought to an end by the troubles recounted in the previous chapter. In common with all the other Catholics of England, Sir Edward Smythe had watched with painful concern the pro- gress of anarchy in France, the consequent onslaught on religion and religious institutions, and in particular the dire peril that threatened his old school and his revered masters. When the crash came he had already made his generous offer to St. Gregory's through Dom Bede Bennet. But he did not 125 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL stand alone in this, as the following letter clearly shews. It was written to Dom Bede Bennet by Dom Richard Kendal after he had escaped with a party of boys from Esquerchin, and was remaining in a house at Tournay, waiting to see if a more favourable turn would permit of their resuming the old life at Douay. The whole letter is full of interest and of useful and quaint details. " Tournay, November 8, 1793. " Dear Sir, — I received yours yesterday, communicated the contents of it to Mr. Wilks, who was then with me, and consulted whether he thought it necessary that I should immediately comply with your order. He replied that con- sidering the security we were likely to enjoy for some weeks, we should do well to remain united together in our present abode till Mr. Cowley [the president], you, and himself should find, if possible, a more desirable settlement for us, whether in England or in this country. He left us this morning to return to the nuns at Bruxelles, and is going to interest him- self most vigorously in order to procure us a temporal, and should circumstances demand it, a permanent establishment. He had, before making us his visit, applied himself to some member of the States, and found Lalain and Mr. Selby [both old Gregorians] have been very zealous in our behalf. The concern which Mr. Wilks shews for us is not confined to this. He has wrote to his friends in England, as he tells me, to consult about the possibility of an establishment in our native country. I believe, however, that you have already provided for it. The said Mr. Wilks writes by the next post to Mr. Cowley. All this seriously considered, I have judged the most proper to wait for your answer to this before leaving Tournay. I am resolved to comply with what you and superiors shall prescribe, and only remain here for your answer to this. I drew on you yesterday for ;£"ioo sterling 126 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 to the order of Mr. John Selby. This sum would not have been necessary were it not for some great expenses we were at on entering this country. We were advised by a great friend of Mr. Sharrock to buy our mattresses, blankets, and sheets, and by no means to hire them. These articles alone, twelve as we were in number, cost us nearly ;£'5o. We can, when we leave here, sell them again, or, if we return to Douay, take them there with us. I drew seventeen guineas from Douay since leaving that town : these guineas were paid by me to the guide who conducted twelve of St. Gregory's and five of the English college from France into these parts — a dear expedition ; however, some people paid more than ourselves for the same guide. The above five guineas, which I advanced in payment for the passage of the five collegians, with sixteen other guineas which I lent to Mr. Coom(b)s and some other gentlemen of the English college were, as they promised, to be remitted to you. Many other necessary expenses for clothes have run away with a deal of money. I left 240 louis d'ors in France, not, as you may well imagine, at the convent, but in sure hands, known by Mr. Sharrock. I am almost certain that by reason of this money he will not for this long time hence be in want. The person who has the money has com- munication with the prior (who, together with the rest of our distressed brethren, are in a citadel six leagues beyond Arras). There was a report that they were entered farther into the interior of France, but this is false. Servants are allowed to visit them and carry them what they have need of. Acquaint Mr. Farquarson, the President of the Scotch college at Douay, that the young woman he employed in conveying a letter and some assignats into France, fell into the hands of the French troops on passing the frontiers into that country. She was stripped by them to her very shirt, Mr. Farquarson's letter to Mons. Chevalier found on her, with several others, and between 3 or 4000 livres in paper. She has had, how- 127 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL ever, the happiness to escape out of the hands of her guards after being in confinement twenty-four hours, and is at present in this country. Mons. Deroc dined with us yesterday, drunk punch with us, and speaks but of your kindnesses to him and his confreres. He sends you his compliments. All with me join in testifying their profound respect for you, and would be overjoyed to see you. — I remain, dear sir, most sincerely, your most obdt. humble servant, R. Kendall. '' P.S. — No news as yet of Mr. Walker, D. James, and his nuns. I learn from accounts from Bruges that alarms were so great that the return of P. Marsh, &c., to England is excusable." The postscript recalls that the fathers of St. Lawrence's at Dieulouard had also to undergo their share of the troubles which were telling so heavily on the sister house of St. Gregory's. They, too, had to fly from their monastery, but, fortunately for themselves, though they passed through many hardships, yet as a body they escaped imprisonment, and made their way to England much sooner than their Douay brethren, but, to all intents and purposes, penniless. Here they heard of Sir Edward Smythe's generous offer to his old Gregorian masters ; and knowing that the Douay community probably would not for a long time be in a position to avail themselves of it, they threw themselves on his kindness and compassion, and frankly begged his hospitality till the Douay fathers should be free. Sir Edward acceded to their petition on certain conditions, which are recorded in the following letter; and thus when Prior Sharrock at length took up his abode with his com- munity at Acton Burnell, the unusual sight was presented of two distinct communities being in residence for a time under one roof. Immediately on landing in England, Prior Sharrock wrote to Lady Smythe acquainting her of the fact; and the letter 128 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 reached its destination at Wootton Hall on March 12, the feast of St. Gregory the Great. Whereupon Sir Edward at once addressed the following letter to D. Bede Bennet : — " Wootton, March y 12M, 1795. " Dr Sir, — Mr. Sharrock's letter to Lady Smythe arrived here this morning, and made us all very happy to find he was at length got safe into the true land of Liberty and out of the jaws of those Infernal Regicides. It also makes us extremely happy to find we shall so soon have the pleasure of seeing him at Wootton. ... I hope you recollect in a letter I wrote to you some time ago that I meant Acton Burnell for the monks of Douay, and as now Mr. Sharrock and his confreres are come over, the monks of Dieulouard must resign it to them and seek another habitation, for it was only on that con- dition that I consented to their going thither. . . . &c. ..." The conditions, clearly defined in this letter, made it in- cumbent on the members of St. Lawrence's to seek a new residence ; and after some months spent in deciding upon a suitable locality and moving to various spots in Cheshire and Lancashire, they finally, in 1803, settled at Ampleforth, near Gilling Castle, Yorkshire. Here, then, in the truly sylvan retreat of Acton Burnell, Prior Sharrock reunited his scattered community, and forth- with began anew to lay foundations of a work meant to serve not only for their own needs, but for those who were to come after them. How little he could then realise, in the hour of escape from recent trials, what development and increase the future, nay, the near future, had in store, is shewn by a letter in the archives addressed by him to Prior Marsh of St. Law- rence's combating a proposal made by the latter to unite the two communities. In this letter, by way of argument, he makes what he considered a preposterous supposition. " Now, 129 I DOWNSIDE SCHOOL I will make a very favourable supposition. Had we [i.e. the united communities and schools] 50 scholars at ;£"3o per annum (we shall never have it — but I will suppose the case), do you really think that when all expenses are fairly calculated and every deduction fairly made, the neat [nett] profits would amount to much above 5 p.c, or to £^'^00 per annum? " Once settled at Acton Burnell, the religious life was resumed as far as circumstances would permit, but much curtailed of ACTON BURNELL HALL {The seat of Sir Walter S my the, Bart.) its outward appearances. These details do not concern this narrative, but along with the community life the work of con- ducting the school was at once resumed ; and on the door of their residence a brass plate bore the legend, " Acton Burnell College." It is difficult to ascertain the precise number of boys that then constituted the " college," but the number must have been extremely limited, for in the autumn of 1798 the total only amounted to seven. The following extract from a letter gives this information, as well as other domestic 130 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 details, trivial of themselves, yet valuable for the contrast they afford with the past and the future : — (Prior Sharrock to Dom A. Lorymer.) "Acton B', October 7, 1798. "... Besides your nephew we have six little boys, includ- ing Edward Smythe. They seem to promise very well, and all seem pleased with them. Howarden is their master, Eldridge their prefect. Frank \i.e. Br. Francis Quince] has fitted up a neat dormitory for them. They dine & sup before the Religious, with whom they have as little communication as well can be. They have their limits assigned them, & their Prefect or Master is always with them." One boy who had been under their care at Douay certainly returned to them at Acton Burnell. This was John Kaye, and he was accompanied by a younger brother, Charles, who left Acton Burnell on February 14, 1798. By the end of that year things had assumed so normal an appearance that it was deemed proper to publicly advertise the school in the Catholic Directory for 1799 — then called the " Laity's Directory." The following quaint prospectus may therein be seen : — " AcTONBURNAL, near Shrewsbury, Salop, under the direction of the Rev. J. Sharrock, lately of St. Gregory's, Douay. "Sir Edward Smythe, with his usual benevolence, having afforded the members of St. Gregory, after their expulsion from their College at Douay, an asylum at Actonburnal, They admit a few scholars, from the age of ten to fourteen, who are instructed in such branches of religious, classical, and other useful sciences, as are usually taught in the most approved Catholic Schools. The annual pension is twenty -five POUNDS ; in which sum Clothing and other articles commonly called extraordinaries are not included." 131 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL While occupied with the subject of early prospectuses, it may be opportune to mention here that by 1808 the pension had been raised to ^30 for each boy, by no means an exorbi- tant sum ; and inquirers for further particulars were referred to " Rev. Mr. Lorymer, Sardinian House, Lincoln's Inn Fields," or to Prior Sharrock, at Acton Burnell. Four years later the terms had been advanced to the still moderate figure of "40 guineas per ann., to be paid half yearly in advance." The London representative and agent had by then moved back to " 39 Gloucester Street, Queen Square," the former residence of D. Bede Bennet, who had died there in the year 1800. The correspondence between Prior Sharrock and his London procurator, Fr. Lorymer, contains some quaint touches of human nature. Thus Fr. Lorymer was being constantly besought either by the prior or some of the community at Acton Burnell to keep his eye on bookstalls and catalogues with a view to securing cheap bargains in the classics for school use; and much money was spent in this way on their purchase and on carriage by the Shrews- bury coach. Whenever a visitor travelled from London to Shrewsbury, he or she would almost invariably be com- missioned to take charge of a parcel of books or other articles, for if included in passenger's luggage so much was saved ; and in those days, when a letter from Acton Burnell to London cost yd. for postage, and the community was none too rich, every penny saved was a matter of consideration. Again, certain susceptibilities had to be considered. Fr. Lorymer, writing to the prior on April 10, 1797, makes mention of a parcel of books he was then despatching, and thus continues : " I should be glad if you could send me a two pound note by Mr. Barber to pay your Book-commissions, that I may not be under the necessity of applying to my friend Mr. B[ennet] who often growls at those expenses. You know 132 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 he is no Bookman, so that he grudges every expense on that head. Mr. Barber must not give it me in his presence. ..." Amongst other school paraphernaha, the masters at Acton Burnell found themselves ill provided with maps, and during some months they constantly besought Fr. Lorymer to procure them some good up-to-date atlases. Aware of the ways of boys, more than once he wrote back suggesting the propriety of using old atlases, as the boys would only spoil the good and expensive modern ones, and would get quite sufficient information out of the older ones, if only they would assimilate the information therein contained. To judge by the variety of the commissions he was requested to execute, a most com- mendable activity characterised the struggling school at Acton Burnell. For example, Fr. Lorymer wrote to Prior Sharrock on May 9, 1799 : " . . . Please to tell Mr. Deday that . . . he sealed his letter so badly that I could not make out whether you wished to have a serpent or a Bass. A serpent new would cost you at least 7 guineas & there would be very Httle chance to meet with a second-hand one. A Double Bass new would come to 15 guineas, and a second-hand one to 12 if tolerably good. Mr. Bennet has a small common bass belonging to the body, it is lent at present to a French Gentleman, but may be got in case it should suit you. I saw a nice moveable organ which would do very well for such a chapel as I imagine yours will be, about the size, but a little higher than the Cedar chest which stands, if I recollect well, in the room over the kitchen. The price is 30 guineas, but then there was a good deal of ornament about it. Were one to be made more plain it would not amount I dare say, to more than ^£"20. Sir Edward might buy it as a proper piece of furniture for the Chapel, and make his son learn to play upon it. . . ." This was only in keeping with the love of music traditional in an institution so com- pletely bound up with the music of the Church under the patronage of St. Gregory. And this spirit, moreover, had been 133 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL fostered by the enlightened mind and cultivated taste of Prior Augustine Moore. In view of the perennial controversy in the Catholic journals anent the question of what music is suitable for our churches, the following letter written by Fr. Joseph Eldridge, in the name of the prior, to D. Anselm Lorymer, may be of interest. The latter had applied, on behalf of Messrs. Keating, the publishers, for permission to produce some of the music peculiar to St. Gregory's. The diversity of opinions which characterises our modern con- troversialists in this particular field of acrimonious dispute was not absent from the polemics of the opening of last century. " October 3, 1806. " Dear Sir, — Mr. Sharrock has no objection at all to cir- culating either our Gradual or any part of Faboulier's music, wherever you really think it may be of service to the Catholic public. I must say however, that none of us here have any very great opinion of your speculation, altho' you seem to be so sanguine and even eloquent on the subject. We are pretty well convinced that you would not be able to introduce our song, whatever may be its merits, which are certainly great, into a dozen Chapels althro' England. The taste of our Catholics in general for Church music, particularly with yours in London, is [too] vitiated, or perhaps rather totally corrupted, by opera music and fiddling jigs ever to relish Fa- boulier's serious, grave, I may say majestic tones. We have proof of it in some degree even at Acton Burnell, where our good people of Mr. Kendal's congregation, [it] seemed, at least at first, would have been as much pleased with a cow horn as with our most esteemed music. If however Keating wishes to undertake the printing of our Graduals &c. at his own expense, and would furnish us with a given number of copies gratis, he is welcome to do it. . . ." 134 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 It is clear that the energies of Gregorians were not confined solely to vocal music, as we have already observed the solici- tude about the acquisition of " serpents " and " basses," pre- sumably for ordinary Sunday use in the chapel, or even for the more mundane purpose of strengthening the band. In- strumental music had a charm for old St. Gregory's ; for the old Douay account-books furnish instances of the purchase or repair of various forms of wind and string instruments. The school in 1798 consisted of but seven boys; by the end of August 1800 they mustered twelve all told. Progress was slow, and hope of better days seemed far enough off, for only three of these paid the full pension of ;^25, the rest paying " scarcely half," so that it was a daily struggle to make both ends meet, as may be gathered from the despondent letters that accompany D. Bede Bennet's half-yearly statement of accounts. Both he and his successor had to incur legal expenses for the recovery of outstanding school debts to a very considerable amount, dating back in some cases twenty years. In the autumn of 1803, D. Richard Kendal wrote exult- ingly to D. Lorymer about the increase of numbers in the school — they had actually under their charge seventeen boys. At the commencement of 1805 the number of boys still stood at seventeen, but a few weeks later the prior wrote to D. Lorymer, stating : "I expect another from Mr T. Lawson, who with the one you mention, would run up the number to nineteen." Notwithstanding the fewness of the numbers, however, there is evidence that they were quite alert and up-to-date ; and after their bitter experience at the hands of the French republicans, they fully realised the inconveniences that might follow any invasion of England by Bonaparte, as our papers in the archives consistently style the Emperor Napoleon I. Hence, they were keen to see any scheme for the invasion of our shores frustrated, and the excitement 135 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL prevailing throughout England had a faithful local reflex in their out-of-the-way corner of the world at Acton Burnell. The fever of the volunteer movement of that period is clearly discernible, and amongst other items of information preserved to us is one in a letter from Sir Edward Smythe stating he had just received from the Lord-Lieutenant of the county a commission in the local volunteer corps. This was a breaking down of the hitherto impenetrable barrier of the penal statutes, against Catholics holding military commissions, brought about by the stress of imminent danger. In view of the recent movement for increasing cadet corps attachable to volunteer battalions, it is of more than passing interest to learn that D. Lorymer was a century before the time by suggesting a very similar plan to Prior Sharrock on July 27, 1803, in the following words : ". . . What will you do about complying with the new Bill ordering almost everybody to turn out to exercise ? Everybody here are entering associa- tions. You must put your young people into Sir Edward's corps. ..." Will his words find a response a century later, when the dangers are real enough, though not perhaps loom- ing so large ? Insignificant as the increase of numbers may appear to us at this date, it was considerable as compared with what had been dared to be hoped for when Douay was abandoned. So promising, indeed, was the prospect, that Sir Edward actually added a wing to his house for the better accommo- dation of the increasing numbers. This addition projected sideways from the portico of the mansion. And for the same reason the baronet and his father-in-law, Mr. Holford, under- took the building of a chapel adjoining the mansion for the use of themselves, the monks, the school dependent upon them, and the neighbouring Catholics. This work was begun in the spring of 1799, and when completed, it must have pre- sented a pleasing and imposing appearance in those days of 136 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 small beginnings ; although in these days of expanded ideas in the matter of church building and grandeur of decoration and appointments, the simplicity of the past would be despised. It was some five years before its decoration was fully completed; and the following interesting description of its appearance, as penned by Fr. Joseph Eldridge for the information of Dom Lorymer (December 21, 1804), betrays a satisfaction and pride in the result which is refreshing in its simplicity. The humorous malice of the writer's criticism of Mr. Holford's monument should not be missed. "... You have, I daresay, been informed from some quarter or other, that our chapel has been painted ; but whether you have had a particular description I think is not so certain. I shall venture therefore to describe it to you, not doubting, if you have not already had an account of it, that it will be very agreeable. " The walls are painted a species of blue, in my opinion extremely neat and elegant. The cracks are all filled up in the ceiling which with the small arch that goes all round the top of the chapel is of a plain white. The cornish is of the same colour. About 3 or 4 feet from the floor runs a white moulding below which the wall is painted of a yellow or a stone colour, I think they call it. The board that runs round the bottom of the wall is as usual of a dark colour. " The benches, pews, and choir are painted in imitation of oak. The doors, pulpit, and organ are painted mahogany. The pillars are plain white with gilded capitals and bases. The flowers that fill up the squares, you may recollect, in [the] arch of the alcove are gilt, and the parts of the square the flower does not cover, are painted of a dark violet : this sets off the gilded flower greatly, and has a very pretty effect. The top of the alcove is a heaven in which are the heads of eight angels not altogether daubs yet not so elegantly executed but I could dispense with their presence. They are those small 137 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL angels, mere heads with a pair of wings fixt to their necks. The cornish or moulding which is placed below the heaven as I may say of the alcove is gilt, from whence hang two crimson velvet curtains with gold fringe and golden tassels, one on each side of the picture. The rest of the alcove is of the same colour with the walls of the chapel. The curtains you must observe are only painted curtains. They are now putting a stove to warm the chapel. The fire will be made on the outside of the chapel, down that area or drain round which is the iron rails. The heat will be communicated to the Chapel by means of ftews. I think it is a pity they do not make the fire in the little room adjoining the Chapel. The people coming to chapel in wet weather might by means of pegs and wooden horses hang their cloaks and coats to dry^ which would be as comfortable to them as being warm in chapel. I must not forget Mr. Holford's monument designed by the eminent and immortal artist Mr. Deday. It is placed outside of the Sanctuary close to the pulpit facing the place where Mr. Holford was buried. It's a white tablet on a black frame : towards the top is a small white cross with a death's head at the foot of it. The materials are good but there is nothing striking in the design. It is small indeed, yet in some small monuments you are struck with a neatness, a pretty elegance that pleases, which I don't feel in looking at this. . . ." Sir Edward and his lady naturally took the keenest interest in the foundation of this house of prayer, and somewhat later (July 3, 1809) we find the baronet still intent on adorning it with costly articles for the proper service of the altar ; and his instructions to Dom Lorymer at that date are of special interest, inasmuch as they evince the vivid recollections he still cherished of his school days, and his anxiety to preserve the observance of an old Douay custom, now, of course, fallen into desuetude ; for the practice of swinging the censers with '38 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 one hand at the full length of the chain, still in vogue in many churches in France, has ceased at St. Gregory's. Dom Kendal writes thus : " Sir Edw. Smythe begs with his compliments that you would buy of Mr. Keating two Thuribles for his Chapel at Acton Burnell, that our ceremonies of the divine service be carried on as much as possible as they were at Douay. The chains must not be too long that our Thurifers may use them at full length as at Douay. They must be at least plated. . . ." Another domestic incident connected with our tenure ot Acton Burnell must not be omitted. There, as at Douay, bat- and-ball was played ; but with so httle reverence for the antiquity of the remains of the banqueting hall in which Edward I. had held one of the first Parhaments of England, that they played against the still standing walls. For the purposes of the game they put down a " bouncing stone " ; and in after years this isolated fragment is said to have exer- cised the ingenuity of a learned society of archaeologists who, like the immortal Pickwick Club over the equally famous inscription, were completely puzzled to find an explanation for its use, imagining it to belong to the same epoch as the buildings. It might be supposed that the daw^ning of prosperity would banish any idea of returning to France. Yet, strange to say, the prospect was kept constantly before the minds of the community. In the first place, they were ever conscious of a lurking fear that the measure of toleration they then enjoyed might be withdrawn ; that their proscribed method of life might suddenly arouse some outburst of popular prejudice and ignorant fanaticism ; in other words, they felt that they had here "no abiding city," and that their happy asylum might by the laws of their country be in a moment denied them, and that they would again become exiles and wanderers on the face of the earth. Add to these considerations for 139 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL themselves as monks the scarcely less important work of the education of youth, which could not, from the point of view then mostly adopted by Catholics, be so adequately carried out here as abroad, and a very strong argument is furnished in favour of a retirement to some safe locality abroad. The situation at Douay, too, had much improved. Much sympathy had been exhibited towards them when the prior and his companions had been hustled off to prison ; aid was not wanting to enable them to save some of their more precious possessions, such as books, relics, and vestments ; and when the monks left for England, regretted by all, their return was ardently hoped for, nay, petitioned for, not only by private citizens, but also officially by the municipality. This attitude on the part of the city of Douay, gratifying as the recollection of it must ever be, was actuated not only by the personal estimation which the English at large had to their honour evoked, but also by motives of gain ; for the English establish- ments, five in number, were a source of considerable revenue to the local tradespeople, and their departure spelt financial loss to many persons dependent on them for their business and subsistence. Prior Sharrock's own views as to the necessity of seeking an asylum someivhej-e on the continent were, in 1800, definite and strong ; though time has proved him incorrect, yet his views must command respect, and in any case are interesting. In his judgment, France was precluded from his choice owing to its state of chaos. That the settlement in England either of his own community or that of St. Lawrence's could be per- manent seemed to him preposterous, and therefore the views he expressed in writing to Dr. Marsh, the prior of the latter house, deserve attention, serving to explain the frame of mind in which this question was approached a century ago. Dom Sharrock thus wrote : " . . . But in all this, we are taking for granted that if our settlements be ruined, we must then settle in 140 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 England and in no other Country. Now this will bear much mature reflection. Will England really admit of a proper Religious Establishment ? The Laws at least are clearly against us. They may be silent for a time, but will they always be so ? Prejudices are still very strong : more than one violent publication has appeared against us. Look at the ' Pursuits of Literature ' and see how violent is the author. If the Government be not our enemy, it is not certainly a warm friend, nor will it go far in our support. England is yet an intolerant Country. Observe its conduct with regard to Ireland : it will rather risk everything than consent to emancipate the Catholics in that Kingdom. What favour, then, is an handful of Monks and Nuns to expect at its hands ? But is England itself, think you, in such a firm settled state as to leave nothing to fear for a Revolution ? Without pretending to see a Jacobin at every turn, is there not a considerable body in the nation of discon- tented ? Are not the tempers of many soured ? What effect may not the continuation of the war and the load of taxes enormously increasing produce ere long? Should the King die to-day, what a prospect in his successor ! But I will sup- pose the Government sufficiently firm and stable and not unfavourable to us. I will suppose again we could make a tolerably comfortable settlement in England. Could we wear the monastick habit, could we have any very solemn office, could we very easily shut out the world, could we prevent parents from visiting their children, and the latter from revisiting their relations and intermeddling in their domestick concerns ? Is not the Religious institute a plant of Catholick growth and requires a Catholick soil? Will it bear to be transplanted into an heretical Country ? What course of Religious studies could we pursue with success in England ? What Libraries, what professors for philosophy, for Divinity, for the Scriptures, &c. . . .?" Worthy Prior Sharrock was neither a prophet nor a seer, 141 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL and formed his judgment only on the experience of his own Hfe and times. The answer to his objections lies in the vivid contrast of the whole of the past century and of the present day with the conditions that prevailed when the above words were penned. But although Prior Sharrock could not foresee any permanence for a settlement on English soil, he had no inclination, after his own bitter experience, to resettle at Douay. The question, however, appeared in a different light to the citizens of Douay. All through the troublous times, often pinched by poverty if never actually in the direst need, there had remained at Douay an Irishman named Luke Bellew, who had been in the school at St. Gregory's, together with four other members of his family, between the years 1778 and 1788. He then joined the English Franciscans at St. Bona- venture's in Douay, and when they were ejected from their convent in company with the other British subjects, Fr. Luke remained behind after his release from prison to watch over the interests of his house. As may be gathered from his correspondence with D. Lorymer, of which a large number of letters exist in the Downside archives, he entertained a deep affection for his old school, and laboured earnestly for his old friends the Benedictines in the hopes of saving something of their property out of the general wreck. He voices this general desire in a letter under date of October 11, 1800: "... It is natural to presume they [the monks formerly in residence] will prefer their native to a foreign land, and assign to their younger brethren the care of re-establishing the College and Convent here. But in whatever hands this trust may be reposed, nothing I am sure shall ever diminish my fond and unalterable regard for a body of men, who were the friends and directors of the happiest period of my life, and to whom I am indebted for those principles which were long my support under sickness and imprisonment and every extremity of want. - . . I look forward at the same time with great impatience 142 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 to the close of this disastrous war, in the belief that it will bring back the members of our respective establishments ; nor will their return, I am persuaded, afford greater satisfaction to myself, than to the inhabitants of Douay, whose wishes for a general peace are influenced more perhaps by this expectation than by any other. The rich indulge the hope of meeting at length with persons to whom they may intrust the education of their children ; while the poorer sort imagine they already behold tides of gold ready to flow in upon them. ' Les guinees d'Angleterre ' are almost their only subject of conversation. You would smile to see what a degree of importance I derive from this circumstance, and how I am teased by artisans and tradesmen, who have been made to believe that my recom- mendation in their favour may have some weight with the superiors of our Colleges at their return. . . . Everything, therefore, concurs to invite you back, unless difficulties may perhaps arise, from the promise of fidelity called for by our Rulers, and which at all events can no farther regard foreigners than as they may think proper to admit into their Colleges the youth of the Country. ..." Fr. Bellew has no illusions on the subject of the sentiments which induced an attitude of such friendliness on the part of all classes in Douay. Self- iriterest was the motive power ; but it was a self-interest born of an intimate past experience of the benefits that had been derived from the presence in their midst of theae monks from a foreign and ofttimes a hostile land. British gold was not to be despised, and the English system of training youth was known to be advantageous to the manly development of their sons. Voila tout I From this and other letters of the same correspondent, as well as from Dom Henry Parker, a monk of St. Edmund's, Paris, and an old Gregorian, who stayed in the French capital throughout the Revolution and acted for his Douay brethren when opportunity offered, it is clear that not unreasonable 143 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL hopes were even then entertained of securing restitution of our property. A year later (December 1801) Fr. Bellew re- iterates what he had before emphasised : " One thing certain is that they [the Enghsh] are ardently wished for here, and that the day of their return will be a day of gladness through the whole town." The material condition of most of the buildings of St. Gregory's at Douay was not as bad as that of some of the other establishments. In a letter written in April 1802, D. Lorymer reports that he had heard from Mr. Farquarson, who had made an inspection of the premises for him, and found the " old Building a perfect wreck, the roof completely ruined and open all along ; the neiv^ less damaged ; the lower parts thereof inhabited by some families . . . the Church still entire but miserably impaired on account of its roofs being wholly neglected " ; and Fr. Lorymer finally exclaims : " What will Mr. Hodgson's feelings be, when informed that a tree of liberty stands between the two lofty wings of Alma Mater /'^ (This refers to the English secular college.) In the following July, Fr. Bellew again reverted to the advisability of a re-establishment of St. Gregory's at Douay. His reasons are the more interesting as they throw light on the history of the last five or six years of the school immedi- ately before the Revolution, when it had opened its doors to French boys. " Your return," he says, " is ardently wished for at the Prefecture as well as elsewhere. I am not so certain that they will prove equally favourable to St. Bonaventure's, or at least that they will be so eager to see their convent restored, tho' it be an undoubted fact, I believe, that these gentlemen latterly drew their chief means of support from England. If they think of settling there anew, I would advise them by all means to set up a college. Were there five British Colleges in Douay, they would all be crowded with the youth of the Country." To place the matter beyond 144 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 doubt, Mons. Boule, the town architect of Douay, added his entreaties, and the following passages from his letter may not be unacceptable : " Plut a Dieu que j'eusse le plaisir de vous recevoir a Douay dans votre ancienne maison. C'est bien le desire unanime de toute la ville, qui voit bien aujourd'hui a quoi pent conduire une revolution ; cependant grace en soit rendu a la divine providence de Dieu, aujourd'hui le calme, la tranquillite, regne partout ; il n'y a qu'une chose bien frapante et tres remarquable pour des gens bien nes, c'est I'education, les moeurs, qui ont beaucoup souiferts depuis dix ans : cette lacune sera difficile a reparer ; c'est pourquoi il serait h desirer, pour le bien public, qu'il le format quelques etablissemens d'education pour remener les uns et faire con- noitre aux autres des jeunes gens, ce que peut la religion et une bonne education. . . ." It remains abundantly clear, therefore, that any move in the direction of the old home would have met with hearty support at this time, on both sides of the Channel ; for even some years later, when a return to Douay was again seriously con- sidered, many parents and friends of the boys, both past and present, came forward with promises of financial help to render the migration easier : so convinced were many persons at that period, and up to the actual passing of the Emancipation Bill, that there would never be stable security and room for expan- sion for religious and teaching bodies of the old faith here in England. Meanwhile the community at Acton Burnell was not idly living on the generosity and hospitality of Sir Edward Smythe, who was at this very time busy with schemes of enlarging his house to provide them with the much-needed accom- modation. Notwithstanding a prospect of incurring heavy expense over these projected additions, it is pleasant to learn that the prior, knowing that St. Lawrence's was in financial difficulties, wrote to Dom Lorymer : "... As to the sub- 145 ^ DOWNSIDE SCHOOL scription for Mr. Marsh, I mean to be generous, and shall propose to the Council the giving ;£"ioo," — the payment of which duly appears in the half-yearly account for that date. Still, until a return to Douay should become possible and advisable, the Gregorian fathers were anxious to settle, if only for a time, on property they could call their own. In the autumn of 1809 they had heard of a property then on sale belonging to Lord Darlington, which seemed to suit their requirements. It was situated at no great distance from their present retreat, partly in Shropshire, pardy in Herefordshire. The price ultimately realised by the estate put it quite beyond the modest means at the command of St. Gregory's : a subject of congratulation to us of a later generation ; for though the country around Ludlow is attractive, a school located there would have been less accessible than was Downside, with all its drawbacks, at that time in this respect ; and the develop- ment of St. Gregory's would have been indefinitely retarded. Nothing else suitable presenting itself at the moment, and Sir Edward having supplied the most pressing need for room by the addition of a wing to his mansion, the wonted course of uneventful routine continued; which is perhaps best exemplified by a letter addressed to Fr. Eldridge by his old friend of Douay days. Rev. J. Chetwode Eustace, then residing at his little mission at Chesterford, in Essex. " Chesterford, February 25, 1812. " Dear Eldridge, — I was agreeably surprised this morning in finding your name at the end of an epistle, and, when I had perused its contents, not a little delighted to find that my old friend was well, and that the Gregorian colony at Acton Burnell was in so prosperous a condition. You only do me justice in supposing that such an account would give me great pleasure, and that I should be very ready to contribute as far as lies in my power to that prosperity. However, my Rhetoric 146 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 is not, I apprehend, calculated to be very serviceable in that respect, as it is a very imperfect sketch of the subject in itself, and the copy, which I think I have somewhere among my books, rather incorrect. It was taken by our friend, Harry Taaffe, but before the revisal and subsequent improvement of the work. The corrected copy Henry gave to Luke Bellew. Even that copy was imperfect, as the work itself was never finished, though I had all the materials of the remaining chapters by me, and, indeed, in some degree arranged for im- mediate composition. But the plan itself is defective, though conformable to the ideas and practice of the ancients. There is too much stress laid upon the commonplaces, divisions, and technical parts, and machinery of Rhetoric ; a defect of which I was very sensible at the time, and endeavoured in some degree to correct by the number and beauty of the examples which I took care to introduce. Even those ex- amples are frequently such as I should not now approve of; they are too often taken from the modern languages, and that is now considered a crime against the canons of pure Taste, which admit of no perfect models out of the divine dialects of Greece and Rome. But, pray, can't you contrive to make a visit to Chesterford for a few days, and thus give me an op- portunity of talking over the matter at leisure. You shall have a hearty welcome, a comfortable room, a view of St. Gregory's over your chimney-piece, as much conviviality and as much fasting as you please, with an Oratory, prayers. Breviaries, Meditations, and all the holy etceteras of monastic life in abundance. A fly sets out from the Blue Boar, Holborn, every morning at eight o'clock, and arrives at Chesterford at half-past three. The same fly proceeds to Cambridge, and from thence a coach starts every day for Birmingham ; thus you may come and go with the utmost facility. You will do well to come, as I flatter myself that I could give a few hints about the method of teaching which might turn out to the 147 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL advantage of your Gregorian disciples. At all events the Rhetoric is at your service, and, if I can find it, shall be sent to Confrere Lorymer's on Friday next by a friend of mine who goes up to town on that day. Kindest compliments to Don Anselm. Tell him I have not yet got the tune of the Christ- mas hymn. But now I think of it, in return for the Rhetoric I expect the tunes of the hymn of Christmas, both at Vespers and Lauds, that oijesu dulcis memoria (the hymn of the Holy Name) that of All Saints, of Apostles, Martyrs, and Virgins. " Every kind compliment to Harrison, the Prior, and other, or rather every other old friend at Acton Burnell. Tell Harrison to give his pupils Latin and Greek in plenty, morn- ing, noon, and night, Latin and Greek. Modern languages may be learned at any time, and with ease ; but Greek and Latin, if not acquired early, are never afterwards studied. Unfortunately, our Catholics are at present very deficient in both, and particularly the first, a circumstance very disgrace- ful to the body at a time when the knowledge both of Greek and Latin is considered as essential even, to a gentleman. But it is time to conclude, which, to shew my attachment to old St. Gregory's, I will do in my youthful manner with the (undecipherable) verses inscribed under the View of the College now in my Room, which the famous Burke con- descended to applaud and repeat. Thrice blest, O Alma, be thy sacred walls, Thy shaded courts, thy dim resounding Halls, Dear well-known scenes, where still when tired with woes My mind returns to seek its lost repose, To wake once more the raptures of the boy, And temper manly cares with youthful joy. " You perceive that I am still a Gregorian. Addio, dear Eldridge. — Most cordially yours, " T. Chetwode Eustace." 148 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 The writer of the above letter, one of St. Gregory's most gifted sons, was for some years in the school at Douay, and had thoughts of joining the community, but found he had no vocation for the monastic life. While at Douay he rapidly developed undoubted genius ; so that on leaving, he at once became Professor of Rhetoric at Maynooth, whither he straightway proceeded. Later, he was ordained to the priesthood. It is somewhat difficult to arrive at a correct and just estimate of the character of this learned ecclesiastic. That he never in the slightest degree forsook the practice of his religion is certain ; yet, by the breadth of his views, and the concessions he was willing to make to Protestant pre- judice in accordance with his own ideas of liberality and tolerance, he deeply incensed the stern and unyielding Dr. Milner, and others of the same stamp, suspicious of danger in any latitude beyond the limits of their own horizon. Though it is impossible to defend some of the passages that occur in the Tour through Italy, yet experience has proved that the harm which was feared from its dissemination has been in no proportion to the actual results. The violent attack made on the book by Dr. Milner might, it would seem, have been better left unwritten ; for it tended to draw wide attention to what would otherwise have probably passed unnoticed amidst so much that was beautiful and inspiring, and left no margin for the discretion of the cultivated reader whose faith was thought to be endangered. Eustace died at Naples on August i, 181 5, at the age of fifty-two, of a fever contracted w^hilst travelling, and was there buried. He left to his Benedictine friends such books as they might wish to select *out of his library ; and thus many of his books, bearing his autograph, repose on the shelves at Downside. The estimate formed of him by those most intimately acquainted with him is thus expressed : " Dig- nified without pride, cheerful without levity ; in his intercourse with the world he never for a moment lost sight of his sacred 149 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL character or its duties, which he fulfilled without ostentatious display or affected concealment." A serious blow fell upon the community at Acton Burnell by the death of their great benefactor, Sir Edward Smythe, which took place on April i8, 1811; and long and sin- cerely was he mourned by those whom he had so signally befriended. With his demise, a totally different condition of affairs faced St. Gregory's. The young baronet had lately married, and for the accommodation of his own family, and also for that of the recently bereaved dowager, Acton Burnell was obviously needed, and therefore it became imperative to look out for a suitable spot whereat to settle down. So Prior Kendal, who at the demise of Dom Jerome Sharrock in 1808 had been entrusted with the government of St. Gregory's, lost no time in writing to his friend, Bishop CoUingridge, O.S.F., Vicar-Apostolic of the Western District, with the hope of securing a settlement within the limits of his jurisdiction. Fr. Eldridge wrote to Dom Lorymer, who was also looking for an eligible site : " With you we think that Somersetshire possesses many advantages. However, we tie ourselves down to no particular county. The situation that shall possess the most permanent advantages is the one we shall fix upon." All through the early part of 18 13 more than one person was busily employed in searching for a suitable property. Amongst others, we learn that Bishop CoUingridge was actively interest- ing himself in the matter : a fact which is mentioned in a letter from the prior to Dom Lorymer (dated February 6, 18 13), and has a special value, for on this record of the bishop's exertions on our behalf the very existence of Downside as a monastery and school depended, when a few years later their canonical right to continue as such was called in question by the good bishop's successor. Shortly after, the prior tells D. Lorymer that no move will be possible till the following year, but as they had been accorded full liberty to remain at Acton 150 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 Burnell till they could settle themselves to advantage, Prior Kendal was not likely, either by the promptings of his nature or of exigency, to hurry matters. A site in the Isle of Wight was considered, but did not meet with the approval of any concerned. In August the prior wrote to D. Lorymer saying he had heard of a place in Berkshire called Challow House, near Wantage, then for sale, and desired him to go down and inspect it, and to ask Mr. Eyston, of East Hendred, to interest himself in the matter ; meanwhile he went on to state that he himself was posting to Bath, having heard of a place not far from that city which might prove suitable. This is the first indication that the search was nearing the ultimate choice. The next letter, written on September 7, gives D. Lorymer the welcome intelligence that at last a suitable selection had been made. The prior says : " After a long and tedious search of a situation suitable for the community of Acton, I have at last met with one that, I hope, will give satisfaction. It con- sists of a mansion, stables, coach-house, barn, garden, &c., and 21 acres of meadow land. It lies three miles distant from coal-pits. The London mail through Bath and Exeter to Plymouth passes about a mile from the House. It is six miles from Shipton Mallet. The lands round the house, with the country round it, afford great advantage to a community on account of solitude, and delightful with walks. . . . The situation is eleven miles from Bath, and the name of the place Downside. The above purchase was made by me yesterday on the spot, in company of a friend and the Rev. Mr. Ainsworth. ..." A few weeks later he is just as pleased as at first with the purchase he had lately concluded : " I believe the situation I have chosen will meet the approba- tion of my confreres when they see it, and others are of the same opinion. Mr. Coombs and others have said that though I should seek out England itself, I could not have purchased a more delightful and eligible situation." DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Though probably he was unaware of it, his choice of a situa- tion was strangely appropriate ; for in the village of Stratton-on- the-Fosse, lying outside the gates of the estate he had secured, the dedication of the ancient church was to St. Vigor. This dedication, being a very rare one in England, is evidently due to foreign influence, and probability points to that of the Bishop of Coutances, to whom William the Conqueror made over the manor of Stratone. St. Vigor had been Bishop of Bayeux, a neighbouring diocese to that of Coutances. But St. Vigor, before his elevation to the episcopal chair of Bayeux, had been a monk of the abbey of St. Vaast, at Arras. And thus, when the community and school of St. Gregory's became possessed of the Downside property and settled down there after their long exile, an exile relieved by the charity and bounty of the same abbey of St. Vaast, they found themselves once more at home, so to say, in a village which owned for patron one of the holiest monks of Arras, St. Vigor, Bishop of Bayeux. We may see in this something more than a mere coincidence ; for surely it was the hand of Providence, all unknown to themselves, that guided our fathers' wandering steps to one of the few spots in England connected with their old patron : not without a purpose are such things done. They were to have entered into possession on Michaelmas Day ; but the prior hesitated at the last moment, for he was not satisfied as to the character of the title regarding the coal under the estate. When this had been satisfactorily proved, the transfer was allowed to proceed. But after the first pur- chase of the house with 21 acres of land, a very few days sufficed to show the utility of increasing the acreage ; and as the opportunity presented itself, the 21 acres became 66, and the total price to be paid for the whole, including the legal expenses connected with the conveyancing of the property, amounted in the end to ;£^7338. The accommodation afforded by the house, judged by 152 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 modern standards, was hardly adequate ; but in those far-off days of small beginnings it sounded palatial to the new pro- prietors. This is the prior's account of it : " . . . As to the mansion, it is of a tolerable size, the bedchambers, which easily may be divided, each room into two, as they are large square rooms, having each room two windows, will give us nineteen good sleeping-rooms. There is moreover the ground floor, with kitchen, &c., underground. The adjoining buildings may be turned to great advantage. I hope ^400 will settle us and boys comfortably. In saying ;!^4oo I mean the fitting up of an outward building for dormitory, calefactory, &c., for the boys. It is a strong-built mansion, the walls very thick, the roof flat, covered over with lead. . . . The estate may be considered a little park, its shrubberies are numerous. It is considered as one of the prettiest spots in the country. . . . Besides the bedrooms already mentioned, there are also five garret rooms. . . ." Gregorians were not of one mind in approving the selection of Somersetshire for the new foundation, and our archives shew that some would have preferred the north of f England ; but as was pointed out at the time, with Ushaw, Stonyhurst, and Ampleforth flourishing in varying degrees in that part of the country, very little chance of development would have been left for a fourth establishment ; nor would the Gregorians have been welcomed by the schools already existing in the north. The provision of ways and means for the move from] Shrop- shire to Somersetshire induced much anxious hesitation and the drawing up of various drafts of appeals to public generosity, of which the following was adopted as the most suitable : — " As the members of St. Gregory's College now resident at Acton Burnell find themselves under the necessity of removing soon from it, and of procuring for themselves a settlement elsewhere, they are reluctantly compelled to solicit the charit- 153 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL able assistance of friends to alleviate the burden of the very heavy expenses which must unavoidably be incurred for that purpose. It is as member of that same establishment that I have been directed to address myself respectfully to you, as I have done to other gentlemen who may feel interest in its welfare, to request you kindly to contribute a charitable mite in its behalf. It may be proper here to observe that from the prospect of a permanent situation at Acton Burnell, the estab- lishment has been within these few years so greatly increased by a number of eleves destined to be employed in the func- tions of the sacred ministry, that, considering the expenses which it cannot at present avoid, it is generally to be appre- hended that it will fall short of the means to provide for them ; and, of course, unless aided by the charitable contribu- tions of friends, it may be under the necessity of dismissing several at a moment when it is well known that such a dimi- nution must prove very prejudicial to the interests of Religion in this country. Hoping that this will be a sufficient apology for addressing myself to you, I remain, &c." Handsome donations were received from the ever-generous friends of St. Gregory's ; but just as the community and school were on the eve of migrating from Acton Burnell, a well-nigh irreparable loss befell St. Gregory's. During the negotiations for the purchase of Downside, Prior Kendal had stayed in Bath and had there been enduring great suffering, battling against a disease which was sapping his strength and energies and killing him slowly but surely. Thoroughly convinced that he was near his end, and that the exertions of a journey might overtax his failing strength, he made all necessary dispositions in case of his sudden demise on the road, before setting out from Bath on his return home. He arranged, too, to break his journey at Wootton, partly to rest himself, partly to pay his respects to his patroness Lady Smythe, and to relate to her all that he had done. The journey from Bath to Wootton 154 ACTON BURNELL, 1795-1814 Hall was fatal. He reached the Hall in a sinking condition, though no immediate danger was anticipated; on March 26, however, a sudden change came, and he breathed his last so quickly after the final seizure that Dom Deday, the chaplain at Wootton, had barely time to administer Extreme Unction before the end. Thus died one to whom St. Gregory's, both monas- tery and school, owes a deep debt of gratitude. His memory should be held in benediction for his example of single-minded devotion, and for the labours he had cheerfully undertaken as superior during six years of struggle. Prior Kendal was a worthy successor of a worthy prior of St. Gregory's. His death at a time of bustle and confusion necessarily accompany- ing the removal of a not inconsiderable establishment, cast a gloom over the community and involved them in the difficulty of making their migration wdthout any experienced head to direct them. Some time elapsed before a successor could be elected. The choice first fell upon Dom Henry Lawson ; but after care- ful deliberation he declined the burthen; whereupon his brother, Dom Thomas Austin Lawson, was prevailed upon to assume the office. The arrangements for the removal had meanwhile been completed; and pending his entering into the duties of the priorship, those on the spot had to confront the task. Fr. Rolling was ordered to stay behind to settle affairs at Acton Burnell. He held a sale of the odds and ends not worth the expense of transport to Downside, and a couple of printed copies of the sale catalogue of some 200 odd lots are preserved in the archives. Dom Leveaux, an old Maurist monk who had thrown in his lot with St. Gregory's after the French Revolution, being the senior in the house, became temporarily superior ; and thus headed the band of monks and boys who on Wednesday, April 28, 18 14, left what had been an asylum for twenty years, and proceeded on foot to Atcham Bridge to 155 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL meet the Worcester coach, the whole of which had been previ- ously engaged for them. They spent the night at the Star Inn in Worcester ; and it is on record that, to the no small astonish- ment of the waiters, the rigid old Maurist monk intoned the monastic "grace" before their evening meal. The second day they reached Bath, and here the small party of boys was left for a few days, while the monks pushed on for Downside. The majority of them, to save expense, went with the luggage by canal to Paulton, and thence walked to their new home. One of the party used to relate that as they came up Chilcompton Hill, a large number of country-folk had gathered to see them, and made remarks on their great size. At Downside they found that little preparation had been made for their arrival. The furniture and heavy baggage which had been despatched from Shrewsbury by canal, was still on the way; and there was scarcely a chair or a table for their use. To add to their vexa- tion and discomfort, the last days of April became bitterly cold, and they had not a sufficient supply of fuel to warm their empty house. Dom Leveaux was a strict disciplinarian, and did not recognise in these minor circumstances sufficient reason to depart from the usual routine of duties, so that considerable embarrassment was experienced in carrying out his orders to commence studies, for no books had arrived, and there were practically no tables to accommodate them. Thus was Down- side occupied, and the history of St. Gregory's entered on a new phase. 156 CHAPTER VI DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 Arrival and reception of new-comers at Downside — Their impressions — Fr. Baines' schemes about building — Feinaigle's system of education — Douay, and negotiations concerning a return to it — Prior Lawson's endeavour to secure assent to return to France — His visit to Douay — Restoration of property there to St. Gregory's — Decision to remain in England — Raising of funds for building at Downside — Prior Barber — — Fruitless search for another locality to replace Downside — Selection of design — Laying of foundation-stone — Progress of buildings — Open- ing of new chapel — The dispute with Dr. Baines. The word " Downside " conjures up so many recollections in the memories of all who have spent their school-days within its walls, that the details of how the first denizens of the old house were impressed by their new acquisition must prove of great interest, more especially since the death of Dom Peter Wilson in 1890 removed the last Hnk with pre-Downside days and people. The old manor house of Mount Pleasant appeared to the little band of monks, wearied with their long tramp, a com- fortable, old-fashioned dwelling, no doubt, with its panelled oak parlours, and wonderfully solid oak staircases and floors. In those times it looked out, as it does now, on the beautiful park and grounds that are so well known to Gregorians. The shrubberies, the avenue of magnificent elms, the gardens, and the fine old trees scattered about were almost as we see them to-day. For many years — indeed, up to 1874— the old house formed the monastery proper. There were the guest parlour, ^57 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL the calefactory, the kitchens and pantries adjoining the re- fectory, the prior's rooms, the sacristy, the novitiate, and the other parts of the monastery. There was the " old clock on the stairs," and on the roof was the large bell which, until the completion of the second tower, called the monks to matins in the early morning, the boys to their studies, tolled the angelus, marked the other portions of the day's duties, and closed the day at compline. In those early days the entrance faced the east, not as now the south; and from the porch the eye wandered to the "short shrubberies" across an old garden pond long since filled up, and whose very existence had escaped living memory, till the extreme drought of the summer of 1887 brought out a curious ring in the grass marking its site. Another feature in our landscape was, at the same time, recalled to memory ; for from the same cause a road leading across the lawn from the beeches beside the ball-place to the green lane became perfectly distinguishable. Letters still extant give a picture of men enraptured with the house and adjoining property which was all their own. This is the note running through the correspondence of the time ; an occasional jocular reference also to the neighbours shews that they had to put up with a few minor inconveni- ences. " These Devils of Somersetshire men," wrote Br. Ignatius Abram in the autumn of the same year, " came one night and stole all the apples in the orchard, of which there were no small number of pecks, and a little after that bared two or three nut bushes of their fruit in the garden. ... I think soon they will steal us. . . ." This unenviable noto- riety amongst their neighbours, which gained them such undesired and undesirable attentions, made them so well known beyond the limits of their own hamlet that the com- piler of a " road book " of the period informed the travelling public that the " English devotees of the Order of St. Bene- 158 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 diet " had taken up their abode at the house known as Mount Pleasant. It is rarely possible to secure the approval of every one to any undertaking, and a discordant note was struck in this case also. Br. Placid Morris, afterwards Bishop of Troy, /././., was absent, on account of ill-health when the rest of his brethren first occupied Downside; on rejoining them some nine months later, he told D. Lorymer : " Downside does not at all please me. We are sadly off for room. I sleep in the calefactory . . ." which discloses the fact that the inmates were already inconveniently crowded. Nor was the future bishop alone in his depreciation of the new purchase, for an opinion of more weight at that period was the prior's, and he was uncompromising in condemnation. It was an anxious time when he took charge of the community, and every tribute of gratitude is due to him for the gentle rule which desired to smooth over difficulties, and the good sense which failed not to encourage the intellectual life around him. To secure the success of the new venture at Downside, unanimity in turning the actual conditions to the best advantage was essential. Nevertheless, while Prior Lawson was keenly alive to the interests of his house, and indefatigable in promoting them to the best of his judgment, his correspondence shows that he was disgusted with Downside, its buildings, its surroundings, its possibilities, and made no effort to con- ceal his sentiments. This inevitably resulted in a rapidly developed division of opinion. Prior Lawson looked with longing eyes towards his old school and monastic home ; and with the dawn of better days in France, and the turmoil then raging in England around the proposals for granting emancipation to Catholics, he was strongly in favour of an immediate return of St. Gregory's to Douay. The senior members of the house, who could just remember the olden times, were inclined to the opinion of the prior. The majority, 159 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL however, composed of young monks, not only professed in England, but also educated in their mother country, with whom the name of Douay was fading into mere sentiment, were averse to going abroad, more especially as their recent entrance upon the Downside property promised permanence of tenure. Had Prior Lawson taken the helm while St. Gregory's was still at Acton Burnell, and before the negotia- tions to purchase a place in England had been opened, his course of action might have been intelligible, and perhaps even commendable ; but in the existing state of things he unwittingly retarded the development of the school during his tenure of office. False hopes and fears were raised, and in 1818 the fortunes of St. Gregory's stood very much as in 18 14. But not to advance is almost tantamount to receding in days of keen competition. A notice of the fluctuations of policy during this period of our history will help in appreciating the difficulties to be surmounted before St. Gregory's could attain the position it won in succeeding years. Prior Lawson never tired of repeating his conviction that Downside House was a most inconvenient dwelling. Nor was he far wrong. It was too "cribb'd, cabin'd, and confined." On July 28, 1815, he wrote to D. Lorymer : "It is impossible to go on in the manner we are here as a religious community, and I am disgusted with the house, in which proper discipline cannot be carried on as it ought." A month later he is even more explicit. " I have no doubt, but if we had place or con- venience for fifty students (and I do not wish for more than that number), we should in a little time have them. Our number increases : we have about three-and-twenty, and I expect three or four more, when we shall be completely crammed. I say crammed because there are so many in a room together, which appears not very comfortable, as the rooms are bad and incon- venient." In the same letter he urges the necessity of more accommodation, but with the prospect of an early return to 160 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 Douay any undertakings of the kind would have involved a mere waste of money. The need of building was not lost sight of, for at the chapter held in that year the question had been mooted, and Mr. Tasker, a London architect, had been approached on the subject. Mr. Knapp, an architect of Bath, was also interviewed, and Father Augustine Baines, of Ample- forth, who was destined to have closer relations with Downside after he had become Vicar-Apostolic of the Western District, was consulted as an expert adviser. He in addition tendered a plan of his own. A letter he wrote about this time to the Prior of Downside foreshadows the magnificent buildings he erected some years afterwards at Prior Park, for in it he sug- gests as suitable for Downside all that he embodied in stone when he became a bishop. But although Fr. Baines's plan may command approval, it was an extravagant one for the year 1 8 14, entailing an estimated expenditure of from ;£" 12,000 to ;^T5,ooo — an impossible sum for St. Gregory's so soon after the purchase of the Downside property. Fr. Baines's own -estimate shews an expenditure of ;^6ooo, but an examination of his scheme is sufficient to demonstrate that its adoption would have entailed a far heavier outlay. The description of a building which was never erected may with advantage be omitted, but the remainder of this long letter is so full of interesting information that Fr. Baines may be permitted to explain the views he held. The letter exhibits him^ as a man in advance of the age to which he belonged : — " Ampleforth, September 10, 1814. " Rev. Sir, — You will certainly think me much to blame for not having complied earlier with the promise I made of sending you a plan of a new College. I have now been at home a fortnight, and I can truly say that I have not during all this time had an hour to myself. If you are not accustomed to drawing plans of buildings, you will not 161 L DOWNSIDE SCHOOL perhaps understand why it should take much time ; but with me it is ahvays a slow business, and in the present instance I was wiUing to send my plans as little faulty as possible. I wish the convenience of the proposed erection may appear such as to encourage you at once to undertake it, instead of patching up your present old house, which, after all you can do to it, will never be convenient. I am told Mr. Tasker has given in his verdict that it will cost you ;£"i 2,000 to erect such a house as you want. I think his ideas of your wants must be very magnificent, for I am sure you may erect a most excellent College for much less money. I am convinced that you would cover in the whole of my annexed plan and Ji?iish as much of it as you require for present use for half that sum or there- abouts. And how very easily would the difference of this sum and that which you will be forced to lay out in adding to your present building be made up by its superior convenience, and the greater accommodation it will afford you ! If you can get fifty guineas a year for your secular students, half of this will be clear gain, and consequently every additional boy will bring you in an interest of above ;£5oo, and twenty boys ;^i 0,000. With a building like the annexed, you will have in one Dormi- tory sixty beds, and if necessary you may make room for as many more. In the roof of the front part, a Dormitory may any time be made which will hold sixty beds. As for students, I am sure you will never need to want them, if, as I hope, you can once get the new system of education well established. On this account I am persuaded that the very best speculation you can make with your money is to sink as much as is necessary in a new and good house. I say this taking it for granted that you are immovably fixed at Downside, for if you were not, I have not [a] doubt that a place near Bath might be met with which would be both better situated and would supersede the necessity of much building. This would probably be the best plan you could pursue, even supposing that you were to lose a 162 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 few hundred pounds by your bargain of Downside. But sup- posing you settled for good where you now are, I still retain my opinion unchanged, that the best and at long-run the cheapest plan you can pursue is to begin an entire new building. Excuse, Rev. Sir, the liberty I have taken of giving so freely my advice where it was not asked, nor probably wanted. I did not intend to have said so much. . . . " You will perceive by our prospectus [/.e. at Ampleforth] that we have raised our pension, and I, for my part, am in no fear at all of not being able to get as many students as we like. If you had a proper building, you would beat us by much on account of the neighbourhood of Bath and the great distance of any other College. Your present situation is a bad distance from Bath. It is too far to enjoy the full advantages of the town, and it is not near enough for many of the company who will come to visit you to return without either dinner or some- thing of the kind. You are also rather too far distant from good stone. Is it not possible to purchase a small piece of land near Bath (the distance of a mile or two at most) on which you may erect your house ? You might keep your pre- sent estate at Downside, and either let it or keep a hind upon it, who could live in the house. It would serve you also as a kind of country house to go to sometimes in vacations, &c. I am so fully convinced of the advantages of your having a good house, or rather a good and convenient College near Bath, and so entirely persuaded that you might in that case have one of the finest and best Establishments in the kingdom, that I cannot'"help feeling particularly wishful that you should lay aside the idea of patching your old place at Downside, and do something to the purpose. But I find I am again making too free with my advice. " Dr. Brewer would not consent to my leaving Ampleforth at the present juncture, but he did make me a promise that next Easter he would try to do something for me. What that 163 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL something is to be I cannot tell ; but I hope it will be to place me under your authority at Downside. I feel equally desirous of it now as I did before, and as my reasons for wish- ing it were of a substantial nature, I have no doubt my present sentiments will continue. Mr. Glover is now made procu- rator, and I am again appointed Prefect of Studies, an office essentially necessary on Feinaigle's system, and which I hope I may some time or other have the honour of discharging for a time at least at Downside. Whatever may come out of it, I shall make preparations for the event, and hold myself in readiness. ..." Father Baines refers to his own reappointment as Prefect of Studies at Ampleforth, " an office essentially necessary on Feinaigle's system," and one which he hoped he might "some time or other have the honour of discharging for a time at least at Downside." This system of teaching, much in vogue in those days, has gone the way of other fads and fancies. In brief, it consisted in imparting knowledge by a system of mnemonics, founded by Gregor von Feinaigle, based on the topical memory of the ancients, as described by Cicero and Quinctilian, though novel in the methods of its modern appli- cation. Feinaigle came to England in 1811, and made a lecturing tour through many of the chief cities, charging a fee of five guineas for the course of fifteen or sixteen lectures. Crowds of people paid this sum ; but as Feinaigle made a great mystery of his method, he was denounced by some as an impostor. Amongst other devoted adherents was Father Baines, who introduced his method of mnemonics and his general plan of education into Ampleforth, and was loud in his advocacy of this new departure in education. Two of the young monks from Downside went to Ampleforth to acquire this special training, with a view to its subsequent introduction into the school at Downside. After it had been given a trial, Prior Lawson's estimate of it may be considered as fair and true. 164 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 He wrote to D. Lorymer : " Your reflections with regard to the new system agree much with my own way of thinking. It has its advantage in point of teaching in some branches. For his- tory and geography it is admirable. I was much pleased at a late examine to see the progress I may say all the students had made in a short time. As to public exhibitions and show, I condemn them ; they will introduce too much of the world amongst us, and, I fear, in the end be detrimental to discipline." A month after Downside had become the home of St. Gregory's the treaty of peace between France and the Allied Powers was signed on May 30, 18 14. The fourth article provided for the restoration of confiscated property formerly possessed by British subjects, or the liquidation of their claims ; and three or four months later Dom Bernard Barber wrote to Fr. Jenkins : " We have not deputed anybody to take possession of Douay in our name, for Doctor [Brewer] has saved us the trouble of doing it by taking it on him- self. . . ." Even had we been permitted to manage our own affairs, the result would not have been more satisfactory, for trouble was created by a Mr. Ferris, who is alleged to have had a large share in the removal of Dr, Walsh, the first administrator of the "united establishment," as also of his immediate successor, Fr. Henry Parker, and obtained the office for himself in 18 13, and, in spite of every remonstrance, evidently meant to keep it. To understand the situation, it is necessary to recall the fact that after the British had been driven from their colleges on the outbreak of the French Revolution, the property so abandoned was declared to belong to the nation. On the return of the French nation to a saner frame of mind witn the advent of the Emperor Napoleon I., this property was recognised as belonging to British subjects notwithstanding the late decrees to the contrary. A general administrator of the whole of the various properties was ap- pointed irrespective of the former particular owners ; and this 165 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL official collected the rents and applied them according to arrangements made by the French Government to one institu- tion situated in Paris. This was technically supposed to represent the whole of the various former establishments, though in reality it was merely the Irish college situated in the capital. This college continued to enjoy the revenues of the other British houses till early in 1816, in which year, by a new Ordonnance of Louis XVIII. on January 25, the union of the British establishments was dissolved, Mr. Ferris was removed, and the separate possession of movable and im- movable property which had not already been sold was re- stored to the respective former owners ; the present superiors being acknowledged by name, except in the case of the English Benedictines, who by some extraordinary oversight were omitted. It was only after great trouble that a supplemen- tary Ordonnance was obtained on September 7 of the same year, rectifying the omission and putting DD. Lawson and Parker in possession of their respective houses of Douay and Paris. It was, possibly, this recovery of the site endeared by so many memories, that helped to render the members of St. Gregory's discontented with their cramped accommodation at Downside. From their arrival till the chapter held the follow- ing July, they were enraptured with their new house and urged the necessity for building. The chapter of 18 14, however, limited the length of any building to be erected to a frontage of 60 feet ; and the president wisely withheld per- mission to commence building operations, till he could, apparently, assure himself of the final resolution to be adopted : whether to sell Downside and return to Douay : or, abandoning the latter, to remain at Downside. And yet a third alternative presented itself : to migrate to some other part of England ; for very soon after chapter a change of opinion began to be manifest. On November 29, 18 14, Fr. Luke Bellew wrote to D. Lorymer: "You are already in 166 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 possession of your beautiful college . . . but if your gentle- men of Downside remain steadfast in their resolution not to come over, you will find it difficult to dispose of your college here. . . ." This same letter again indicates the careless and slipshod way in which our foreign agents conducted our affairs ; for just as we were nearly losing Douay altogether through the omission of our names from the general claim to British pro- perty, so, too, w^e were credited with other property which in reality belonged to the secular college, as appears from the fol- lowing passage : " . . . Can either you, my dear Sir, or your gentlemen of Downside furnish any plausible proof that the Organ of St. Gregory's was a present made to you, and not to St. Vaast ? As your papers were all seized, I fear you cannot, and yet I have without reflection gone to the trouble and ex- pense of having it estimated in a legal manner. It has been valued at about 9000 livres. The expense attending this valua- tion I shall place to my own account, as it is clearly the effect of giddiness and irreflection on my part. I do not believe that the ' extrait certifie et legalise de la vente de votre bien k Esquerchin et reconnu comme titre suffisant^^ will cost you five livres. An odd circumstance which occurred in my re- searches for it is that ' la ci-devant maison de campagne du grand College des Anglois ' was sold as belonging to the Eng- lish Benedictine monks of Douay, and it is under this form I was obliged to send a certificate of its sale to Mr. T)aniel, and was assured it would require considerable trouble and expense to have this error rectified, and that it was much better [to] leave to Messrs. Parker and Marsh the care of putting in their claims for it and restoring it to its real possessors, or rather the value of it, as it has been sold. ..." The question of the organ here raised, may be thus solved. In the council book of St. Gregory's, under date of June 19, 17 19, it is recorded that Dom Gregory Greenwood had written from England that since his departure from Douay in 1702 for the mission field, 167 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL he had succeeded in collecting ;^3oo, and, being anxious to dedicate it to the benefit of Alma Mater, proposed to build an organ, and his offer was gratefully accepted. Through the temporary loss of this documentary proof a century later, the fine instrument was lost to us ; for Fr. Parker thus writes on June lo, 1806, to D. Lorymer : " The Organ has been removed to Our Lady's Church : we have claimed it, and the Prefect of the Department refuses to restore it only because we have no proofs of its being built at the expense of the English, and says it might have been built by St. Vaast. I have some notion of a tradition that it was built by a Greenwood, and a daughter of Charles Greenwood, here in Paris, tells me the name was carved on the Organ. If you have any authentic documents they would be useful. . . ." Could a certified ex- tract from the council book have been available, the handsome instrument which now adorns the Church of Notre Dame in Douay might have been saved. To return to affairs at Downside. The prior, with his low opinion of the house as a residence, thought it a dear purchase; and as prospects brightened across the water, Mons. Boule, a Douay architect, was commissioned by him to furnish an esti- mate for the thorough repair of the college buildings there, and by the end of the year the prior had succeeded in obtain- ing " the consent of his young confreres to accompany him to Douay ; " so wrote Fr. Bellew. At the same time, as our archives reveal, uneasiness was manifesting itself at Downside lest the president had ulterior plans with regard to the destination of the Douay house, following the precedent of a generation back. And yet, about the same time, the president expressed his ap- proval to Fr. Parker that " our confreres^ late of Acton Burnell, have altered their minds, and now seem willing to return " [ to Douay]. Early in March 18 15 the prior writes in expectation of regaining possession of the Douay property within three or four weeks, relying on his advices from there that the present 168 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 occupier, a manufacturer of beetroot sugar, was willing to vacate the premises ; and then continues :"...! must inform you [D. Lorymer] that as we have decided to go to Douay, I wish to push on the business. When the College is entered upon by us, unjust as it is, we shall have to pay the rent for [the] remaining part of the lease. It is better to submit to that than to have the house go to ruin. The sooner we settle there, the sooner we shall have scholars and be enabled to pay the rent. . . . Would it not be best to send our boxes, &c., by water to London and thence down the Thames and on to Dunkerque ? I mean to sell most of our property here and have as little to convey as possible. ..." In consequence of the imminence of the community's departure from Downside, Mons. Boule received orders to set about the necessary repairs without delay ; but just on the eve of the projected return to the old home at Douay, Napoleon suddenly broke loose from his enforced retreat in Elba, and began the Hundred Days^ Campaign which terminated so disastrously for his hopes and ambitions on the bloody field of Waterloo, and in the subse- quent inglorious exile on the rocks of St. Helena. These events not only brought the negotiations at Douay to a stand- still, but happily caused some of the Gregorians to return to their former desire to remain in England, so that the president wrote in July : "... Before Bonaparte's return, all our young people at Downside appeared very desirous to return to Douay. It will now require some address to bring them back to the same way of thinking." The chief opponents of the idea of leaving England were two monks destined to take prominent places in the hierarchy of the Church, Br. Placid Morris, after- wards Bishop of Mauritius, and Br. Bede Folding, the pioneer bishop of Australia and first Archbishop of Sydney. Nevertheless, the prior by no means relinquished his pur- pose, and accordingly went to Douay in September, accom- panied by Dom Bernard Barber, whom, from his influence 169 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL with the community, he wished to secure as a strong advocate on his side. With the assent of the town authorities, who received them very graciously, he quietly took possession of old St. Gregory's ; but Mr, Ferris, the former administrator, suddenly appeared on the scene, seized upon 3000 francs of Gregorian money in the hands of the Douay agent, M. Vende- ville, and threatened to eject the prior from the premises. This difficulty was successfully disposed of, and all things put e7i train for preparing the buildings for occupation by the Gregorian monks and boys. Prior Lawson returned to Downside after a fortnight's stay in Douay. Negotiations dragged, and in December he records the reasons for the prolonged delay in leaving Downside for Douay. " As soon as I obtain news that our concerns [claim for indemnity] are settled, and that the church is returned to us, and that there are satisfactory reasons to consider the French government firmly established, I shall, if money, which is very difficult to find, can possibly be procured, order every necessary preparation to be made at Douay for our return. I hope all impediments will be re- moved against the spring." His hopes were not entirely realised; but the removal was decided upon. In August 1816 the president and the definitors (his council) met at Downside, and, after hearing all who objected to the proposal, pronounced in favour of it. This decision created much dis- appointment in many of the community; and Dr. Elloi, a French emigre priest who was professor of theology at St. Gregory's, declared that he was ready to fall down upon his knees if he could thereby persuade the prior to remain in England. Meanwhile a Royal Ordonnance was issued giving Prior Lawson possession of the Douay property ; and in conse- quence he made another journey to Douay in November 1 8 16, accompanied by Dom Augustine Harrison, deputing Dom Bernard Barber in his absence to profess six novices 170 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 who had all been boys in the school at Acton Burnell and Downside, and enjoyed the distinction of being the first to make their vows in the new home. On this interesting occa- sion " an immense concourse of strangers from Bath " came " to witness the ceremony," who, only through the postpone- ment of the profession for a week, narrowly escaped a fatal accident ; for " the company in the parlour would have found themselves precipitated through the floor into the room below." For in the interim, a room in the basement was being whitewashed, and the workman employed found that one of the main beams holding up the floor of the room above was completely rotten, and the weight of a large number of extra persons above would inevitably have caused it to give way. The prior was so discouraged by what he saw and heard during his second visit to Douay that he reluctantly came to the conclusion that the proposed migration thither must be given up finally and for ever. Dom Harrison wrote in his name giving the community at home the reasons that deter- mined his decision, which may be thus summarised. He learnt at Douay that he was named only administrator of the building, that he and his community would be under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Cambray, that the country house of Esquerchin would not be restored to them, and that therefore Gregorians would have to exchange the^ green fields around Downside for four walls in a town. He was informed also that the united administration had heavy claims against his property for arrears in contributions to the common ex- penses. He found, too, that the cost of living at Douay was almost as great as in England. A Httle later he learned that not only would it be impossible to recover the church, but that the Government had determined to build the public prison close by, and also to take a part of their garden for the purpose. He returned, therefore, to England in December, 171 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL compelled by the force of circumstances to agree with the younger members of St. Gregory's ; so that in the following April a formal petition was presented to the president begging him to rescind the resolution passed by him and his coun- cillors in the preceding August. The idea of reviving St. Gregory's in Douay was thus formally abandoned. The pro- perty was still recognised by the French Government as belonging to the English Benedictine monks, and by the Benedictines as belonging to St. Gregory's ; but as no benefit could be derived from it except by Benedictines resident on French territory — such was the tenor of the decree — and as the Gregorian community had finally declined to accept that condition, it remained to determine what use should be made of it. The problem was solved when St. Gregory's made over the property to the sister community of St. Edmund's of Paris, which was anxious to revive its conventual existence that had ceased at the Revolution. The surviving members of it had no prospect of recovering their own monastery ; and when the Douay property was assigned to them, they were able to reconstitute St. Edmund's ; and at this day it has gained for itself no mean place in the estimation of English Catholics through its excellent work for the benefit of the Church. Its career will have a special interest for all Grego- rians, for it has continued in the ancient town of Douay the remembrance of the connection of St. Gregory's with that seat of learning and that harbour of the oppressed ; and within its grounds, nay, within its very walls, have lived and worked some of the best and most distinguished men that St. Gregory's has produced. After the decision to remain in England had been made, the absolute necessity of at once enlarging the buildings at Downside to meet the most pressing needs engaged the atten- tion of all who were interested in the welfare and development of St. Gregory's. The resolution of the president and his 172 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 council enjoining the return of St. Gregory's to Douay having been rescinded, Prior Lawson's next care was to set about building. But where? Already some began to speak of looking for a more suitable place than Downside. All were agreed on one point — that there should be no delay, for, as the prior wrote to his correspondent, Dom Lorymer, early in 181 7 : ". . . It would not be wise, it would appear, to remain unsettled for two, three, perhaps more years to come. The question may be whether we shall remain here or [go] else- where in England. I conjecture here. I wish things were decided : the sooner the better. . . ." An interruption to these plans came from an unexpected quarter. On May 25, 181 7, President Brewer took the re- solution of summoning an extraordinary meeting of General Chapter for June 18, to concert measures "for the general welfare of our two communities of St. Gregory and of St. Law- rence, and for adopting some speedy measures to meet the existing difficulties." Two days after its reception, this summons was rescinded, and so unaccountable did the presi- dent's action seem at Downside, where there existed no cause for alarm, that Dom Placid Morris remarked in a letter to Dom Lorymer : " Mr. L[awson] is in a great agitation, not being able to conceive what is going forward. As to the preservation of St. Gregory's, he thinks that point is already settled without any interference from any qiiarter. . . ." Meanwhile, the president forbade any building to be under- taken at Downside. The explanation of this sudden decision must be found in the determination of President Brewer to renew the schemes for a union of the houses. The resuscita- tion of the idea is intelligible. Dr. Brewer and others, amongst whom was Dom Anselm Lorymer, were of opinion that after the severe losses entailed upon all the houses by the French Revolution, the safest course to adopt was one of concentration rather than of expansion. Had their views 173 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL gained the day, the number of schools and monasteries would have been diminished, but the combination of two or more schools would probably not have produced a larger or more influential establishment. This effort to bring about the absorption of one house by a sister house had been in former days strenuously opposed by Prior Jerome Sharrock, and was now resisted by Prior Lawson. He evidently dis- played some heat in his correspondence at this period. He writes to Dom Lorymer on October 20, 1816 : " . . . I wish I could have more confidence in [Z>r. Brewer and others'] . . . I had the best opinion of them before I came to this situation ; but the constant buzzing of systems and hints of Union has made me what Mr. Parker chooses to name jealous. I know Union is the aim of a Party. It would now seem from what I have heard that they think their own establishment in a pre- carious situation. . . . There must be a change of system, or Dr. Brewer and the party will cause a serious disunion amongst us. I am determined to have nothing to say to them. I shall offend by defending my own house, but I cannot help it. They are faulty, not I. I say all this plainly to yourself, because it has been suspected that you were somewhat favourable to notions of Union. . . ." This letter shews that the projects complained of had been in the air for some considerable time before they became public property about Eastertide in 181 7. It was not the prior alone who was perturbed : others shared his agitation. Thus Dom Morris exclaims : " . . . [the sum- mons to chapter] conveys a very strange idea of some plans being in agitation of which we are ignorant. Why talk of the preservation of St. Gregory's? It wants nothing of the sort, but would do much better were it left alone entirely. To be sure, St. Gregory's has never made so much dash or so great noise in the world as St. Lawrence's has within these few years. ..." The last few words refer to the public exhibi- 174 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 tions held there by Fr. Baines, in accordance with the recom- mendations of Feinaigle's system. Dr. Brewer's quadrennial visitation of St. Gregory's quickly followed, and a letter written by Prior Lawson to Dom Lorymer immediately upon its conclusion throws much light upon the disquieting rumours that were prevalent. "... The embar- rassments of the concerns of Ampleforth have made a most strong impression upon him [Dr. Brewer], and when he first arrived he seemed very unwell, and like a person, I thought, who had a tendency to a stroke of some kind. He was ex- tremely pensive and low, and allowed that the distressing affairs of Ampleforth were the cause of his being unwell. . . . His mind seems full of the absolute necessity of our accepting the house of Ampleforth and settling there. He thinks their affairs irretrievable. It was on account of the embarrassments of Ampleforth and the extraordinary plan to retrieve that house that the intended General Chapter was called. The summons to the Chapter was recalled, but it would seem that the plan for removing this establishment is not abandoned. I shall make no reflection upon it at present. It appears most singular that whilst Dr. Brewer is distressed in the extreme about the irretrievable embarrassments of the affairs of Ample- forth, Mr. Baines should boast of the future success of his plans of education, and that he should put the house to serious expense by his exhibition at this time in particular. . . , I wish they would give over planning in our regard. We cer- tainly want a house, but we have not requested them to give us one. . . ." Dr. Brewer's forebodings were premature, not to say un- warranted. St. Lawrence's not only surmounted the particular difficulties which then appeared to beset it, but some years later survived the crisis brought upon it by Dr. Baines's schemes of secularisation, a crisis far more formidable than that whose forecast so disturbed Dr. Brewer. Since that date it has 175 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL flourished so remarkably that within the past few years it has been enabled to erect a magnificent pile of buildings exceeding both in extent and in richness of design the buildings at Downside, fine as these undoubtedly are. Meanwhile the long vacation had come and gone, and nothing had been done to improve the accommodation at Downside; in his despair of ever getting the wants of the establishment attended to. Prior Lawson again wrote to Dom Lorymer on October 1 1 : " I am distressed when parents call here, as our house is not what we wish, and you know how sadly any exertion we might make to improve our situation is counteracted and checked by, I am sorry to say it, the deter- mination of the Regimen to pay no attention to my Memorial, and by other wild plans of some of Ampleforth. We have heard so much that I cannot speak of them with patience. . . . Mr. Baines is one of the schemers for the welfare of St. Gregory's. A new scheme is now thought of — that of remov- ing this establishment to Prior Park. Prior Park is a very large and I may say a magnificent pile of buildings about a mile from Bath. ..." While wearily waiting for the necessary permission to com- mence building operations, the prior did not spend the period of delay in idleness, but issued the following circular with the object of interesting the outside pubHc, the friends and past students of St. Gregory's, in the serious and expensive under- taking to which they were anxious to commit themselves so soon as the needful funds should be considered adequate : — '* Begging Circular. {Circa 1817.) " In making an appeal to the Catholic Body, the Religious of the House of St. Gregory at Downside are too well aware of the numerous applications now pressing on its benevolence from all sides, not to feel great reluctance in presenting their 176 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 necessitous plea also at this moment. But the urgency of the case allows no longer delay. " Bereft of the greater part of their funds and effects by the French Revolution, the generosity and piety of a gentleman (brought up at their College at Douay) afforded them for some years an asylum on his estates, but as they could not intrude for ever on his bounty they collected the scattered wrecks of their property, and purchased a few acres of land in an eligible situation near Bath, with a house indeed upon it, but in a very indifferent state of repair, and which they soon found too small for their increasing numbers. " A principal part of their support is naturally derived from the exercise of what is also a main purport of their establish- ment — the instruction of Children and their formation in those virtuous and religious principles which ought to regulate their future conduct through life ; but they are materially cramped in the execution of this duty, and in taking a sufficient num- ber of pupils to render it availing to their own support, by the want of a commodious and decent Chapel, as the whole of the Community, pupils, and servants have at present no other place for the performance of their religious duties than a small rooqi 16 feet square. " The absolute necessity, therefore, of a larger place of divine worship must be evident to every one, and the means of the Community are totally inadequate to accomplish it. Still, hoping to receive some assistance from abroad, by the acknowledgment of the British Claims, they have deferred making their case known, trusting that but a small attention to their just demands would relieve them from the painful necessity of intruding themselves on the well-known charity and generosity of their Catholic Brethren. A recent Ordin- ance, however, of the French Government has crushed all their expectations, and compelled them also to seek refuge in the pious liberality of the Body. 177 M DOWNSIDE SCHOOL " They have, however, one satisfaction — their charitable Contributors may rest assured that their assistance is not given to any expensive or visionary scheme — but that the good effects of it must and will be coeval with the existence of the Body ; and will tend to forward continually the most sacred objects of religion and piety ; and the more frequent and respectful offering of the holy sacrifice ; thus promoting the honour and glory of God, and beneficially assisting the religious education of youth, and the formation of subjects for the sacred functions of the ministry. " These inducements, they cannot but feel, are amply sufii- cient to excite the charitable feelings of the opulent and liberal in their regard, especially of all those who have experi- enced or witnessed the strenuous efforts of the Body to promote the spiritual welfare of the tender objects entrusted to their care. They commit their cause, therefore, with fear- less confidence to their pious beneficence — requesting only to inform their friends, that the prayers of the Community will be frequently offered to the Most High, in behalf of their Benefactors, whether living or dead." They were in want of a " decent and commodious chapel." Let us picture to ourselves what they had hitherto been obliged to put up with. A room i6 feet square, now known as the outer guests' parlour, situated to the right of the present entrance to the old house, was fitted up for the cele- bration of divine worship. It was at that time wainscotted in oak up to the ceiling, like the next room now used as the guests' dining-room. In those days the window-tax was in full operation, and so the south windows facing the lawn had been blocked to avoid the tax on "God's light." The altar stood between the other two windows facing east- wards towards the village of Stratton, and on the wall above hung a picture of the Resurrection. On the altar itself were 178 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 placed two plated branch candlesticks, and a pair of small silver ones which are still doing duty. The boys took up their position immediately in front of the altar, and were accommodated with plain benches without backs, while chairs along either side of the room were reserved for the monks. An ancient piano stood at the back of the room, and on big days it was supported by two violoncellos. On Sundays, when the neighbouring Catholics came for "prayers" — as the direc- tories of those days cautiously indicated the celebration of holy mass — and venturesome Protestants, overcoming their fears by their curiosity, stole in to see what it was all about, they were accommodated in the room itself, while the com- munity and the boys overflowed into the passage. Abbot Snow has painted the picture for us: "A room 16 by 16, a priest clad in an unadorned vestment before a make-shift altar, at his heels a thurifer and two acolythes in the only three cassocks, men standing along the sides of the room in double-breasted cutaway coats and profuse neckcloths, boys in various attire on benches in the middle, and at the back the orchestra, the piano — a piano of 18 14, remember — and two grave seigniors working away at the 'cellos. To us it is bizarre, but it has its pathos ; it was a part of the beginnings." With the summer of 18 18 the quadrennium came to an end, an anxious one for Downside and the English Benedictines. The sorrows, anxieties, and lack of support of his plans for the welfare of his house determined Prior Lawson to lay dow^n his office. He was succeeded by Dom Bernard Barber, then a very young man, but one who was destined, by his firmness, to save not only St. Gregory's school, but also the monastery, from extinction ; and he, in conjunction with a very brilliant member of his community, Dom Joseph Brown (afterwards the revered first Bishop of Newport and Menevia), may be reckoned as amongst the best and truest sons of St. Gregory's. 179 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Luke Barber, known in religion as Dom Bernard, was born in 1790 of parents in well-to-do circumstances, living in Mac- clesfield. He was sent to St. Gregory's at Acton Burnell in 1800 ; another eight years found him a professed member of the community, and in 18 14 he was raised to the priesthood. When,, therefore, the duties of the priorship fell upon his shoulders, he was barely eight-and-twenty years of age. Of a quiet and unobtrusive character, he had, nevertheless, such influence with his brethren that Prior Lawson relied much on his co-opera- tion to secure the acquiescence of the dissentients in favour of a return to Douay. Time and circumstances, however, had brought to him, as to others, disillusionment ; and when, in July 1 81 8, he was installed as Prior of Downside, the second to hold that title and office, he was fully determined to push on the hitherto neglected proposals to build, and to translate purpose into accomplishment. Dom Placid Morris, being in bad health, and needing change, was speedily commissioned to undertake a begging tour in Ireland, a quarter till then never appealed to. His stirring circular was scattered broadcast ; his own persuasive- ness did much ; and others, too, began to interest themselves actively in the work of gathering subscriptions ; and, before long, a printed list of actual subscribers appeared, with sig- nificant and suggestive vacant spaces between the alphabetical divisions for the insertion of additional names. Several of these lists thus added to by the various collectors still exist in the Downside archives, representing close on ;£"85o secured for the building fund. This energy and determination carried the day, broke dow^n opposition, and secured the concurrence of the very men who before had been the primary cause of delay. Thus Dr. Marsh, acting evidently in the name of the president, at that time near his end, wrote from Downside to Dom Lorymer, who, much as he loved St. Gregory's, was infected with an unduly 180 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 developed gift of caution : "... I think it would be trifling with the family here and continuing to impose on the public if we do not erect a house and chapel here. I beg leave to differ from you in your notions about an approaching revolution. Such an event may happen ; but such possibilities should not, and, I hope, will not, deter me from granting the family leave to undertake what is absolutely wanted here. We shall act with prudence, but not be frightened by pretending to dive into future events and to foresee jnomenta quce Pater posuit in sua potestate. . . ." With the immediate prospect of committing themselves irrevocably to some spot by sinking money in bricks and mortar, by literally pushing their roots deep into the soil, the question of site again became of paramount importance, and called for a final settlement. It is hard to understand, with our experience, why at that time, so soon after acquiring the property, a dislike of Downside should have developed itself. The fact remains, however, to be put on record ; and accordingly, early in 1820, we find site after site being viewed and discussed. Of the many properties in the market, one at Burton, near Christchurch, Hants, most commended itself. The following letter written by the prior to Dom Lorymer, preserves to us full particulars of the spot at one moment nearly adopted as the home of St. Gregory's : — " Downside, April 5, 1820. "... Whether we shall build here or remove to Burton is a question which will require most mature and deliberate consideration. The motive which in the first instance in- duced me to lay the proposition of removal before Dr. B[rewer] was this. It was in the beginning of Lent, when I, disUking to travel about during that time, sent Messrs. Harrison and Folding to look at this house at Burton. Their report informed me that the house was considerably 181 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL larger than this ; dry, substantial, and in excellent repair ; that there were outbuildings, which, at a trifling expense, comparatively speaking, might be fitted up into good and commodious apartments for the students, at a small dis- tance from the house. There is a barn, 70 feet long and 19 broad, built of brick, with an excellent roof, which they proposed to remove, and with the materials to build a Chapel adjoining the house. The expenses for converting the out- buildings into the Students' apartments and removing barn and building up Chapel they had estimated by a builder and a carpenter, who said they would contract to make the pro- posed alterations for ;!^i4oo. The sum required for pur- chase of the house and garden and field — in all four acres — is ;^26oo. This sum, added to the above ;£'i400, will make a sum-total of ;£"4ooo. If we could settle ourselves comfort- ably there and have a decent College for that sum of money, I thought it prudent to give the matter a fair consideration, and on this ground I laid the affair before Dr. Brewer, who ridicules the alterations we proposed to make, as diminutive and paltry. If he requires more considerable erections than we intended, this entirely changes the grounds on which I first proposed to adopt Burton. If we are to run up new buildings which will make the expense at Burton amount to ^5000 or ^6000, it cannot be a question whether it will be better to remain here or not. The expense of building here will be less than building at Burton. . . ." In the end, Burton and every other site was rejected in favour of the spot chosen by Dom Peter Kendal ; and a plan having been selected, a start was made in the summer of 1820 ; a momentous occasion in our history, inasmuch as it rooted St. Gregory's to the place we know and love. The neighbours had taken great interest in the proposed undertaking. Sir John Cox Hippisley, M.P., of Ston Easton DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 Park, who had always been most friendly to us, very kindly introduced his own architect, a Mr. Underwood, who prepared a plan after the classical style then much in vogue. The old house was to be retained for the use of the community, and connected with a central building by a corridor ; while another corresponding corridor on the other side would have led to the school, to be constructed in facsimile of the old mansion externally, but internally adapted to the special requirements SCHOOL BUILDINGS, SHEWING THE "OLD HOUSE" IN THE FOREGROUND of the boys. This plan was, however, declined. The monks remembered their Gothic church at Douay, and were not unmindful of the beauty of the ancient abbeys of England ; and though they could not hope to rival those glorious monu- ments, they were led to adopt the more modest scheme of Mr. H. E. Goodrich, a young architect of Bath, whose ideas were in agreement with the ancient national characteristics of ecclesiastical and collegiate architecture in England. All pre- liminaries being satisfactorily settled, the foundation-stone of 183 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL the new building was laid with great ceremony on the feast of St. Benedict, July ii, 1820. The progress made with the work was not phenomenal, for just a year later the prior stated : " We are getting on with our chapel, but it is still more than 20 feet from the roof. The College will soon be ready ; the weather has been so favourable that the plaster dries as fast as it is put on. Persons come from far and near to view the building. It is the admiration of the country. . . ." Various delays occurred, and the school was not ready for habitation quite so soon as anticipated; but on February 25, 1822, Dom Barber wrote to Dom Jenkins in a happy strain that is almost infectious. His anticipations about our famous Regent cut omnia vivunt were, as most Gregorians know, fully realised : " We have, as you may easily guess," he writes, " difficult cards to play in money matters. Had it not been for the ' godsend ' by Mr. Naylor, the building must have been left incomplete. There is no chance of the chapel being opened before July, and of this I have my doubts, tho' Goodrich assures me that he will accomplish this job by that time. . . . The upper Dormitory, a capital room, is now completed; the cells also, with the exception of the windows, which will be in this week ; the study-room nearly ready ; the class-rooms may be soon so. The chapel is beautifully proportioned, and the solemn tones of the organ will have full range for its delightful harmony, and above all the Regent cut 07jinia vivunt will have an awful effect and attract a crowded audience. ..." When the boys dispersed for the long vacation that summer it was with the pleasing knowledge that on reassembling they would enter the new buildings ; and, to have everything in readiness, the vacation was prolonged for a fortnight : no very great advantage from the boys' point of view, for the extra time was made up by depriving them of an equivalent number of play-days during the term ! From the very outset the internal arrangements were criticised in a somewhat adverse 184 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 manner, for one correspondent explained at the time : " The architect seems to have consulted chiefly the exterior appear- ances rather than the interior conveniences. The high win- dows serve for two storeys, which must be very awkward in the inside, as the windows in one floor must come to the ground " — a verdict endorsed by all who can recall the incon- veniences of " Paradise Row." The chapel alone now remained to be completed, and on this all interest centred for the next twelve months. Mean- while, the block was externally finished as we know it to-day ; and the " new college," as it was called, created quite a sen- sation beyond the immediate neighbourhood. A member of Parliament, more zealous than accurate, drew the attention of the House to the alarming increase of Popery as exempli- fied by the fact that lately two colleges had been opened — one at Stratton-on-the-Fosse, the other at Downside, near Bath ! Visitors constantly came to see and admire the building; among the rest, Mr. Britton, the author of Cathedral Anti- quities of Great Britain^ declared it to be the finest piece of modern Gothic he had seen. Welby Pugin, shortly after his conversion, paid it a visit, and acknowledged that the effect of the chapel was good, and that, considering the lamentable state of Gothic architecture in 1820, it was a most successful effort. It is a tradition at Downside that the' marvellously fine and deeply-cut carvings of foliage in the tympana of the buttresses so astonished him that he would not be convinced that they were not modelled in plaster and inserted, till, by the aid of a ladder, he had assured himself of their genuine- ness by personal and minute inspection. They have with- stood all the south-western storms that have beaten upon them, and now, after eighty years, are as fresh and clear-cut as on the day they left the sculptor's chisel and attracted the notice of the famous architect. A subscription was set on foot for the purchase of an organ 185 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL to be placed in the "old" chapel for the opening ceremony, the selection being left in the capable hands of Count Maz- zinghi the elder. Knowing that the organ formerly built for the Prince of Wales (then King George IV.) for the Pavilion at Brighton was on sale, he used his influence as a court musician and managed to secure it. This organ, now in the abbey church, but of course rebuilt and containing additional stops, is, from its history, an interesting instrument. A letter written by Dom Alexius Pope, in March 1823, gives a fair description of the altar that for so many years stood in the " old " chapel, before which so many monks have taken their religious vows, so many have been ordained, so many have stood to offer the holy sacrifice ; before which so many boys have made their first communions. It now stands in St. Peter's undercroft in the new abbey church. After stating that there were only twenty boys in the school, he proceeds : " The chapel is nearly ready. We expect to have our own little opening on St. Gregory's among ourselves only. The altar is already arrived, and, I think, one of the finest pieces of carving anywhere to be met with. Mr. Baines said he never saw a more handsome one. I leave you to guess. Four men have been carving for eight weeks continually — 8 feet in length, 3 feet 6 inches in height ; the carvings are quite through the stone and lined inside with crimson. It will be put up to-morrow. The chapel, Mr. Long says, will be entirely finished in six weeks* time. All the windows are in and they look very handsome indeed. All the benches are finished except the stalls, and we intend to finish them at our leisure. I daresay the grand opening will be soon after Easter" Modern standards of taste must adjudicate on the beauty of the windows of the " old " chapel. The history of stained glass at Downside began with certain wondrous windows of plain glass variegated with colours, which were brought from 186 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 Acton Burnell by the monks when they moved to Downside ; for years they were in the room beneath the old chapel, looking on to the lawn, now used as a billiard-room ; but latterly they have disappeared, being replaced by plain glass. A similar style of art prevails in most of the windows in the said old chapel, which evoked the admiration, not only of Dom Alexius Pope, but probably of many others who were watching day by day the finishing touches to their beautiful chapel ; but the crowning glory of that much-admired edifice was the large southern window presented by Count Mazzinghi the elder, which — such is the mutability of fashion and taste — would now only be studied as a warning against a style to be avoided; in pattern it is an intricate, trying composition in strong colours — deep purple, brick red, and yellow ochre. The chapel was not ready for use on St. Gregory's Day as had been hoped; a few days later, however, on March 21, the feast of St. Benedict, mass was sung in it, and the offices of the three last days of Holy Week were also celebrated therein. The date fixed for the solemn opening was July 10. On that great day, diu desiderata, very beautiful must the "old" chapel have appeared after the cramped room 16 feet square, in the old house, which had so long served for the celebration of holy mass and the divine ofiice. The lofty groined and spandrelled roof ; the altar, so highly valued as la work of art ; the tabernacle, candlesticks, and lamp, all in burnished brass, made by T. Whitchurch, of Bath, combined to add to the splendour of the scene. The invoice for this brass-work exists. The massive lamp is not actually in use, though surely worthy of a place in the abbey church. The " elegant Gothic tabernacle in form of octagon, and on each side a highly finished ornament on panel " (in reality the arms of St. Vedast at Arras — a signally graceful and appropriate tribute of St. Gregory's indebtedness to Abbot Caverel's fraternal charity), stands on its own altar in the crypt ; and from the day of 187 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL opening till now, the "massive brass Gothic candlesticks in form of cross, with glory in centre," &c., have done duty at the high altar, whether in the " old " chapel or in the abbey church ; and handsome they are to this day. The total cost of this brass-work was ^^243, us. od. The Catholic Miscellany for July 1823 contains a descrip- tion of the great ceremony attending the solemn opening of the chapel, but it is certainly inadequate. A more graphic account, full of detail, was penned a few days after by Prior Barber for the information of his fast friend, Dom Benedict Deday, and the Smythe family at Wootton Hall, who were naturally keen to hear all about the stirring event. '* Downside College, y/z/j/ 21, 1823. " Dear Confrere, — At length I sit down to fulfil my pro- mise of giving you an account of our opening. You will have read, ere this, a brief notice of it in a Bath paper. That article was penned by an old acquaintance of yours and an eleve of St. Gregory's — Thomas Mulligan, who is well ac- quainted with the editor of the Bath Papers. For several days preceding the opening, everything was bustle, preparation, and anxiety. All this was amply repaid by the singular, and, I may say, unexpected success with which the day went off. From half-past nine in the morning (some arrived even at seven) until the time of Mass, eleven o'clock, carriages with respectable company continued to arrive in rapid succession to the number of between thirty and forty — gigs and horses in abundance. Among the company we had two Catholic Bishops, Drs. Collingridge and Baines two Catholic Peers, Lords Clifford and Arundell ; and all the respectability, both Catholic and Protestant, of the immediate vicinity. Our good friend Sir John Hippisley was in London at the time, but he is since arrived in these parts and has expressed the deepest regret that he was not present. His son-in-law, Colonel Homer, 188 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 attended and was highly deHghted. At about a half after eleven, every necessary arrangement and preparation was made in the Chapel, and the Company were admitted. When these were arranged and properly settled the clerical proces- sion moved from the Sacristy in the following order, the organ playing a grand and solemn movement. Six torch-bearers, two acolythes carrying the mitre and crosier, two thuriferarii, two acolythes with torches, four priests, two Ceremoniarii, Deacon and Subdeacon, Bishop and his assistant Priest. Such was the impression made on the persons assembled in the Chapel, when the Procession appeared, such the intensity of their attention, that you might have heard a pin drop, had it not been for the solemn tones of the organ. It was impos- sible not to perceive the awful sensation that pervaded the assembly. The music of the Mass, composed by Mazzinghi, was most ably executed, and ravished the audience. The Laudamus and cum Saticto in the Gloria, Et vitam venturi in the Credo, were excessively admired. But the most eloquent individual had not words to express the charm and delight which the ear experienced at the Sanctus; Angels only can sing a more harmonious strain. Had poor Piccolomini heard it a hair had not remained on his head. It was agreed on all hands that the Mass was most beautiful in itself, and very well executed. Mazzinghi is so satisfied with the success it met with, that he will certainly give it to the pubHc. The only thing that failed was the sermon ; here I was, as were all of us, completely disappointed. It is, however, some consolation to reflect that some of the company, and Protestants too, were pleased with it.^ The failure of the sermon, however, was forgotten amidst the universal approbation which every other ^ " The Rev. Dr. Coombes, of Shepton Mallet, preached ; and his sermon, by his numerous quotations, Greek and Latin, gave evident proofs of his being conversant with the early Fathers of the Church" {Catholic Miscellany, July 1823, vol. ii., No. 19, p. 326). 189 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL part of the ceremony commanded. The Protestants were in a particular manner delighted with the pomp of the cere- monies. The Alleluia Chorus, with which the ceremony concluded, had a fine effect, and was allowed to be a most well-chosen and admirable Finale to the sacred part of the Festivity. There were from 250 to 300 persons present, independently of the Community and visiting Clergy. The Collection far exceeded our expectations — ^^75 was received in the Chapel : add to this what we received from your worthy patroness. Lady Smythe, and from others, who, not being able to attend, sent their offerings, it did not amount to less than ;z{^i2o. " When Mass was over the Company were introduced into the principal Study-room, where a magnificent cold collation was laid out, as all Ladies agreed, in a most handsome style.^ These fair visitors could not withhold the expression of their astonishment that the thing could have been done so well without their aid. I should tell you, did I not expect Lady Smythe to read this, to admire their vanity and self- sufficiency. When I entered the room where the collation was laid out, I suppose there were not fewer than 200 persons seated and enjoying monastic hospitality. The first glance convinced me that all were comfortable and at their ease : pleasure and the highest satisfaction beamed on every coun- tenance. The enjoyment of every individual centred in my heart — guess, then, my feelings. As the company separated, each one repeated to me the expression of their delight, and confessed that they had never seen a public thing better con- ducted and never spent a happier day — u?ia voce dicentes. " The architecture of the College, but particularly the elegant proportions, the noble and majestic tout-ense7nble of the Church, were the admiration of connoisseurs, and the delight of all. ^ " After the service a proper cold collation was served up, in one of the new Gothic rooms" {CatJwlic Miscellany, ut supra). 190 THE MUSEUM [Formerly the " Old Chapel" 0/1822) DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 " As soon as we were free from most of our secular friends, which was not much before six o'clock, the remainder of the company, consisting chiefly of Priests and persons formerly brought up in the College, sat down to dinner with the com- munity ; sixty composed the number of persons who sat down. The enjoyment here seemed to exceed, if possible, that of the Company who had departed. At nine o'clock, I left the com- pany and retired to my room, to repose myself after the fatigues of the day. Thus terminated a day which had been the subject of many an uneasy and anxious thought, but at this moment a day of sweet satisfaction and unexpected content. *' On Friday the festival of our Holy Father, Mr. Lawson sung High Mass en grande ceremonie. At it were present all the company who had dined with the Community on the pre- ceding day. Dr. Baines preached a most beautiful sermon from the gospel of the Festival. His was a more successful effort than a similar one of the preceding day. "Vespers also were sung on this day in a solemn and im- posing manner; but the satisfaction arising from them was considerably diminished by the recollection that it would be the last time that they would be so well performed for a long period. Mr. Pope was to quit us in the evening. The fes- tivities were kept up in a greater or less degree during the octave of St. Benedict. On the octave day we had an organist from Wells, and High Mass was sung again by Mr. Lawson en ceremonie. This was the day on which the Religious were regaled by your handsome treat. After dinner your health and many thanks for your generosity was most cordially received by all your confreres. They beg me to convey their gratitude to you, and their good wishes for your health and happiness, in the strongest terms that the English language affords. Our gaiety was only finally and completely termi- nated by the departure of Messrs. Lawson and Harrison. They spend this day in Bath, whither I forward this hurried 191 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL letter this evening. I am ashamed to say it is hurried, but it has been impossible before to-day to have anything like a moment to write. ... I must have, though unintentionally, omitted many particulars which as a confrere you might wish to know ; but all this will be well supplied by our confreres^ Messrs. Lawson and Pope, who were present. The former agrees that ours is the prettiest Chapel he has ever seen. You will see by the London papers of Saturday that Lord Colchester in the House of Lords accuses us of purchasing some converts and making others. He dignifies us, as reported in the Courier, as a large and splendid establishment. It is clear that we must not make too much noise. ..." For a full appreciation of a certain portion of the above delightfully naive description, it must be borne in mind that the "new Gothic room" in which the "proper cold collation" was served up to this numerous company of 200 persons is the present Petre Library, with the ceiling at that time from eight to nine feet lower. Our ancestors were easy to satisfy and please; for, unconscious of modern hygienic demands, they were able to feel "comfortable and at their ease," and truth- fully to express "pleasure and the highest satisfaction" under such crowded and stuffy conditions. From Sir John Lambert's reminiscences it may be gathered that for the benefit of the boys, a tent was erected on the lawn, where, as he records, " an excellent luncheon, which could not fail to commend itself to boys' tastes," was served. A domestic matter of passing interest may be recalled in connection with this event. Roman collars and clerical dress were unknown during the whole period preceding the opening of the " old " chapel. Persecution, or at least the fear of it, had not entirely passed away ; and, consequently, a dress was adopted by the monks of St. Gregory's which might so far dis- guise their monastic character as to secure for them the means and power of living their lives and of doing good unmolested ; 192 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 for it must be remembered that by law they were still pro- scribed. Hence a distinctive dress had hitherto been studi- ously avoided. But for the opening of the chapel a sort of college gown was introduced, together with a heavy, ill-made trencher cap, which required to be held on the head in any lively movement of the body or in a strong wind ; a skein of worsted formed the tassel. The cap soon fell out of use, but the gown was worn in choir and within the enclosure as a compromise for the monastic habit. It was considered a great advance at the time, and caused much talk and sensation in the neighbourhood. Cassocks, too, in those early days were unknown, except on Sundays for two acolythes and the thurifer. The gown continued in use as the special dress of the com- munity till 1848. The shape of this old college gown may be seen in the portrait of Dr. Brown in the boys' dining-hall ; and a photograph of " old George Mazzinghi " (Count Mazzinghi the younger) in one of the Gregorian albums shews him habited in the gown, which he continued to wear till his death in 1864. The monastic habit was first worn by the monks at Downside in November 1848, and to this was added the cowl in choir a year later. The increased accommodation afforded by the new build- ings gave immediate relief to the community. At last they were in possession of a suitable choir wherein to perform the Divine Office, a sanctuary sufficiently spacious to allow of their carrying out ceremonies in an orderly manner, and, above all, they had provided a home worthy of the Blessed Sacrament. The old Manor House now became exclusively the monastery ; and freed from the presence of the boys, the monks were enabled to carry out more effectually the obser- vances of their state, such as silence and study, without the constant interruption and disturbance caused by the move- ments of the boys. This freedom and peace spurred them to renewed efforts to make the education worthy of the school, 193 N DOWNSIDE SCHOOL and to prepare themselves to face the heavier responsibilities that expansion would bring in its train. The only serious difficulty that had hitherto presented itself to the community had arisen from the vexed question of the choice of the most suitable site for the lasting settlement of St. Gregory's. No sooner, however, had all such doubts been dissipated by the erection and occupation of the new buildings, than St. Gregory's was forthwith plunged into a formidable struggle for its existence, and, indeed, for its very right to exist. Dr. Baines, the Vicar-Apostolic of the Western Dis- trict, held, and held strongly, certain views, which, as the course of events shews, ran counter to those upheld at St. Gregory's, and which were there considered to imperil the essential principles of the monastic state. As it also happened, the bishop's views clashed with the interests of Downside school. It may be at once said that in the end the highest authority, that of the Holy See, decided against the bishop on all the points in controversy. Since Dr. Baines was brought into direct antagonism with Downside during several years, a few words about his career may be of interest. Peter Baines was born on January 25, 1787, at Kirby, near Liverpool, and at the age of eleven years was sent to the Abbey of Lambspring, near Hildesheim, to study for the priesthood. Here he remained till the suppression and annexation of the house by the Prussian Government, in 1801, when he returned home. After a short period, he went to St. Lawrence's Monastery, lately settled at Amplefortli, near York. When he had com- pleted his studies, he was admitted into the English Benedic- tine congregation, taking in religion the name of Augustine. He soon gave signs of the brilliancy of his mental gifts and of the energy of his character. He fulfilled the duties of a master, and finally directed the studies in the school at Ampleforth until 181 7, when he was appointed to the im- dortant mission of Bath. His reputation as an architect 194 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 and as a man of taste brought him into close relations with the superiors of St. Gregory's immediately after their acqui- sition of the Downside property ; these relations became, at the president's request or command, still more intimate after his transfer to Bath. When Dom Bernard Barber became Prior of Downside in 181 8, and bent all his energies to the erection of a suitable school, he found himself hampered by the schemes floating in the brain of his restless neighbour ; and, as may be gathered from existing correspondence, he strongly resented what he looked upon as officious interference and unsoHcited advice. Meanwhile, Bishop Collingridge, whose health was failing, found a coadjutor necessary to share his labours and lighten his burthens in the management of the Western District. As he, a Franciscan, had been selected by the Benedic- tine, Bishop Gregory Sharrock, as coadjutor, so, in his turn looking to the Benedictines for support in his old age and dechning powers, he selected Fr. Baines. His choice was approved and confirmed by the Holy See early in 1823; whereupon Fr. Baines received episcopal consecration, and was preconised to the Church of Siga in partibus infidelium. Dr. Marsh, then president of the English Benedictines, had been Dr. Baines's master when the future bishop was a boy at Ampleforth, and his prior when a monk. In these two capacities he had had ample opportunity during several consecutive years of gaining an insight into his character : it must be allowed that after-events proved the correctness of the estimate he had formed of it. When he heard of his former subject's elevation to the episcopate, he thus expressed himself to a correspondent concerning the appointment : " If Mr. Baines is to exercise a considerable share of the administration [during Dr. Colli ngridge's lifetime], I think prudence and moderation should be recommended. He has excellent views, but I sometimes fear the means he may wish to employ to compass 195 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL his views may not be calculated to produce the wished-for effect. It is thought he will try to carry things with too high a hand, which may produce resistance, where with a little more mildness and temper all might be done agreeably." As coadjutor, Dr. Baines assisted Dr. Collingridge at the ceremony of opening the chapel at Dow^nside, and preached an eloquent sermon on the second day of the festivities. The new bishop was not long in discovering a weak point in the economy of the district in whose administration he had been summoned to assist — the absence of a seminary whereby its subjects might be supplied. He bethought him of an easy way to remedy the want if he could find willing co- operators. Accordingly, six weeks after the opening of the Downside chapel, he wrote to the Prior of St. Gregory's, on August 27, 1823, and asked him: '"Would you be willing that the house of St. Gregory's should be made over to myself and successors, the Bishops of the Western District (being regulars), as an episcopal seminary for the same, on the understanding that the Bishop for the time being shall be allowed to exercise the same powers over its members within his own district which are usually exercised by the President and Provincial?" The council at Downside unanimously declined to entertain the proposition, for to do so would have virtually amounted to renouncing allegiance to the Benedictine body, as a concurrent jurisdiction of monastic and episcopal superiors would have been impossible. This refusal did not deter Dr. Baines from making a further proposal a month later, that the Gregorians should exchange their monastery, school, and lands at Downside for the monastery, school, and lands of St. Lawrence's at Ampleforth. As the mem- bers of St. Gregory's had but recently declined to return to their old home at Douay, had spent over ^7000 on the purchase of the Downside estate, and nearly another ;^7ooo on the new buildings, and as the enthusiasm attending their 196 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 auspicious opening had not even had time to subside, the council not unnaturally returned a firm and decisive refusal, not even inquiring whether the bishop had obtained the consent of the members of St. Lawrence's to treat for such an exchange. It does not transpire whether they had ever been approached on the subject. Downside's refusal entailed Dr. Baines's displeasure, but nothing further occurred for the moment. In the autumn of 1825, however, President Marsh, then at Douay, wrote to Prior Barber, intimating that Dr. Baines's schemes, though apparently dormant, were not really so. "I have great reason to believe," he said, "that . . . [Fr. Cuthbert Wilks] is neither a friend of the existence of the house here [Douay], nor of the independence of yours. I believe you will generally find these two go together, at least with those who act syste- matically, and I believe both originate and are yet pursued by a distinguished character in your neighbourhood. If we wish for any peace in our body we must endeavour to keep our affairs to ourselves, and to be distinct from the administration of the Western District. This I was told by Lord Clifford when he requested me to take his son to Douay, contrary to the wish of Dr. Baines." Still entertaining the hope of realising his plans. Dr. Baines, in the summer of 1826, made certain proposals to the fathers assembled in general chapter at Downside, which, if acceded to, would have completely changed the nature of the English congregation. A diplomatic but firm refusal was the inevitable result, whereupon the bishop openly broke with his former brethren, returning a curt and rude reply in acknow- ledgment of their communication ; and a month later, on receiving a customary half-yearly contribution of ;^i2, los. od. from the South Province, he returned the bank draft, re- marking, " I do not wish henceforth to receive any contribu- tion from that body." Shortly after he went to Rome, and 197 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL remained during the years 1827 and 1828. During this period the indignation aroused at Downside by the pro- jected seminary scheme had gradually subsided, for its apparent abandonment had lulled the minds of most of the fathers into a sense of security ; their hands, too, were fully occupied, for by the end of February 1827 the boys in the school had increased, partly by dint of hard work, partly by the attraction of the new buildings, to the number of fifty-five. While the suspicions of others might have been set at rest, those entertained by Prior Barber remained as keen and vigilant as ever. He took alarm at the suggested withdrawal of Dom Joseph Brown from Downside for the purpose of setting him to work in the missionary field, wisely pointing out that it was " of the highest importance to its [the school's] reputation that it have professors of some standing to ensure to us the confidence of our friends." He had been ruminating, too, upon Dr. Baines's schemes for a diocesan seminary, and as these shaped themselves in his mind and he more clearly per- ceived their incidence on the fortunes of St. Gregory's ; he further impressed upon Dom Deday, the provincial of the Canterbury province : " Do not forget either that we have a powerful and persevering enemy to contend against in the person of the Bishop of Siga, and how necessary it is in con- sequence that the Prior of St. Gregory's be surrounded by effective men." Pleading, therefore, for the retention of DD. Polding and Brown at Downside as subprior and prefect respectively, he proceeds : " It may never occur again that the Prior of St. Gregory's may possess two such eminent men, and at the same time so united in views with their superior, and so satisfied to give their services to the College." His prescience and sagacity were not at fault. Dr. Collingridge died on March 3, 1829 ; and Dr. Baines, on suc- ceeding to the vicariate, rapidly developed his attack upon Downside, for which, as it transpired, he had been quietly 198 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 preparing during his prolonged sojourn in the Eternal City. The accidental presence in Rome of Dom Cuthbert Spain (a Gregorian), on business connected with the Mauritius, was the means of discovering the mine which had been laid. He heard casually in conversation with Dr. Wiseman, then rector of the English college, of the plans Dr. Baines enter- tained in reference to the Benedictines in England. He at once interviewed Cardinal Cappellari, prefect of the Propa- ganda (afterwards Gregory XVI.), and from him learnt definitely that Dr. Baines had been negotiating about the erection of a diocesan seminary, and had insinuated that the Benedictines were not the help to his vicariate that he had a right to expect ; that having, in fact, no real canonical tenure they were remov- able ; and that as Downside already existed as a firmly estab- lished school and was admirably adapted for the purpose of a seminary, it should be utilised in that way and come under his control. Fr. Spain at once communicated these alarm- ing tidings to superiors at home, who up to that moment had had no inkling of the proceedings. An answer to the Bishop's allegations was speedily drawn up, signed by all the Downside community, and despatched to Cardinal Cappellari before the end of June. To Dr. Baines's application for leave to take possession of Downside the prefect of Propaganda demurred, naturally declining to act till he should have had an opportunity of hearing what the other side had to say. In the late summer of 1829 the cardinal addressed a letter to Downside, "not as a prefect of the sacred congregation," as he expressed it, "but as our friend, and devoted to our order," and therein he categorically stated the bishop's pro- posals or views regarding Downside school. Dr. Baines had represented at Rome that Downside, as a flourishing secular school, stood in the way of his erecting a similar one for himself ; and since it diminished his prospect of securing lay students, it must be reduced to such limits as not to interfere 199 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL Avith the school and seminary he was projecting. Prior Barber, in commenting on this proposal, pointed out that it appeared to throw a significant light upon advice tendered by ])r. Baines six years previously. At that time he sug- gested the advisability of turning the upper dormitory intO' a library, and remarked, " we might rest assured that we should never have sufficient boys to fill both dormitories." Other questions raised by Dr. Baines concerning the canonical status of Downside as a monastery do not enter into the scope of this history, but they turned the contest into a fight for very life, and it was quite understood to be so by the monks at 1 )ownside. I )orn Joseph Brown wrote : " For my part I am for fighting to the last, and then for leaving the kingdom, if we cannot remain in it." Several others used similar language. Dr. Baines returned in September, and, on the day of his arrival, wrote proposing an interview, which was arranged ta take place at his house at Bathampton on October i. Prior Barber was accompanied at this memorable and momentous meeting by Dom Joseph Brown, who wrote an account of it two days later, from which the following pas- sages will relate as much as concerned the fate of the school : " Our reception was no kinder than it could be to persons calling by appointment ; and after a few minutes' indifferent conversation we entered on business. We had prearranged to make it our object to ascertain as clearly as possible his plans. . . . Without a blush he gave us the following. . . . He has no objection to our quitting the district. If we are willing to become his seminary, over which he is to exercise the usual control which other bishops do, we shall remain unmolested and receive all his support. If we do not choose to submit to such terms, the least he requires is, first, that we give up the lay school, or confine it within such limits as he shall hereafter nominate, paying 200 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 him also a quota annually, &c., &c. . . . Having learnt his plans, we raised objections. ... In our objections, I told him that when the worst should come to the worst, we could but be what his plans wished to make us. . . ." A study of the canon law bearing on the questions in dispute was now undertaken by Prior Barber and Dom Brown, and resulted in the reassuring discovery that Down- side's position in point of fact was unassailable ; and they determined to carry their grievances to Rome for settlement. Dr. Marsh, late president, was selected to represent the Downside case, and he was accompanied by Dom Brown. The story of how victory was won belongs rather to the history of the monastery than to that of the school ; but during the absence of the delegates, and while the dispute was sub lite, the bishop did not pause in demanding of the Downside monks the surrender of their attitude of non possumus. He refused to recognise their ecclesiastical status in his vicariate, and on November 7 he replied as follows to a further communication from Prior Barber, who had notified that Downside could not accede to the conditions which he had again lately formulated for their acceptance : " Your positive and uncourteous refusal to inform me of the grounds upon which you claim your exemption from my jurisdiction has given me great pain, inasmuch as it compels me to deviate from that line of kindness and conciliation which I have hitherto pursued, and convinces me that further forbearance in the assertion of my authority would be an abandonment of my duty. I distinctly stated to you that in the event of your not acquiescing in the conditions pre- scribed by Cardinal Cappellari I could not possibly acknow- ledge your house as an exempt monastery unless you should produce some valid authority from the Holy See for its estab- lishment. Your rejection of the conditions of that letter and positive refusal to furnish me with that authority leave me no DOWNSIDE SCHOOL alternative. As, however, I wish to allow you an opportunity of altering your determination, I shall at present satisfy myself with withdrawing from every priest residing in your house whatever faculties any of you hold from the Vicars- Apostolic of this District, and by declaring that no priest whatever has power to exercise such faculties within the limits of your asserted jurisdiction. All such faculties cease ipso facto on the evening of the day on which you shall receive this letter." The prior, in acknowledging the receipt of this ultimatum, wrote : " No doubt, my Lord, you act under the influence of conscientious motives in asserting your authority in this matter ; my motives in refusing to receive that authority are not less pure. ... I have referred my cause to the Holy See. Its decision I await with perfect tranquillity. It is unnecessary to say that we shall not presume to exercise the faculties which, as Vicar- Apostolic of the Western District, you have withdrawn." Dr. Baines altogether overreached himself and defeated the purpose he had in view in thus withdrawing the faculties from the priests at Downside, for a few days later the prior wrote thus to Dom Deday : " As the Bp. cannot suspend all at once, and as no one is specified by name, the legitimate conclu- sion is, I presume, that none of us are suspended. We shall not avail ourselves of this discovery except to show up Siganus at Rome, and this I have already done. I have the undoubted authority of a Priest, to whom Dr. B. made it a boast that he had taken away our faculties, for knowing that it was not my uncourteous refusal to give my canonical authorities that caused the suspension. It was my saying that I would not hold my- self responsible for the inferences which Brethren drew from their knowledge of what was passing here. . . . The priest alluded to gave his opinion of the transaction most freely to Dr. B., and told him that it was not only an imprudent and hasty step, but also one which would sink him in the estima- DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 tion of every Catholic : that we were well known to be exem- plary ecclesiastics by all, both high and low, and that what his Lp. had done would disgrace him in the eyes, not only of the District, but of all who would hear of his proceedings. The bishop cried like a child when he found the predicament he had involved himself in. From this same person we have learned that Dr. B. supposed ignorantly that his suspension would deprive us of the power of hearing the students' con- fessions. Hence the blow was aimed at that point : how completely it fails of the mark is obvious. Hinc iilcB lachrymce. . . ." The bishop's ill-judged action tended to alienate sympathy from him, even amongst his fellow vicars-apostolic, and pro- portionately encouraged the Downside monks in their passive resistance and helped to raise their spirits. The suspension brought little inconvenience to them ; for although the bishop had intended this extreme measure to affect their relations with the boys, he was in error ; for the faculties enjoyed by the inmates of an exempt house are granted by the superiors of the order, and not by the bishops. This is what the cure of St. Albin at Douay had to his chagrin found out a century before. Dr. Baines's hostile act being thus ultra vires, affected only the small congregation in the neighbour- hood, and put a burthen on the priest who had to come from a distance to hear their confessions. The injustice of the measure was recognised on all hands, for such a withdrawal of faculties is usually reserved for cases of serious delinquency : and such not even the bishop dreamt of laying to the charge of the Downside fathers. It may here be mentioned that when the news of this suspension reached Rome, the bishop was reprimanded and peremptorily ordered to rescind it. Meanwhile, unable to prevail against the inflexible front opposed to him at Downside, Dr. Baines determined not to wait for the decision of the Roman courts, and purchased the 203 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL estate of Prior Park, with Ralpii Allen's fine house, situated on an eminence overlooking the city of Bath, whither some years before he had strongly urged the transference of St. Gregory's. Here, in the exercise of his undoubted right, he prepared to open his seminary and lay school, thereby shewing that he had abandoned the hope of appropriating St. Gregory's. In order to secure the necessary working staff for it, he had recourse to Ampleforth, and persuaded four of its leading members to accompany him to Prior Park. This defection proved for a period a paralysing blow to Ampleforth, which was saved only by the strenuous efforts of the remaining Laurentian fathers, aided by the temporary loan of two young monks sent from Downside. They were Brs. Bernard Ullathorne and Placid Sinnott. Nor did Downside escape scatheless. The new school commenced its career brilliantly ; and so rapidly did it fill after its opening in July 1830 that for a time it gave a serious check to I3ownside, where the numbers at once fell off appreciably, especially amongst the Irish boys, whose parents were attracted, as was specifically stated at the time, by the glamour of a school presided over by a bishop. A few years of dogged and determined struggle against these adverse circumstances terminated this partial and temporary eclipse in the fortunes of St. Gregory's ; and the rivalry be- tween Downside and Prior Park, in its varying fortunes, has since been of a friendly nature. During the progress of these events in England, Rome was weighing the merits of the two aspects of the case submitted for the decision of the ecclesiastical courts ; and on March i, 1830, the congregation entrusted with the settlement passed a resolution granting a sanaiio for the past (if such were needed) covering any defects that might have occurred in the canonical erection of St. Gregory's Monastery. The Pope signed the formal document on March 7, thus ending the dispute in favour of St. Gregory's. 204 DOWNSIDE, 1814-1830 It may be of interest to record here a signal proof of the entire reconciliation which took place between the parties to the dis- pute. The evening before Dr. Baines's death (which occurred suddenly on July 6, 1843), he had seen some of the Down- side fathers, and had expressed to them his complete friend- ship. He was buried in the cloisters at Prior Park ; but when that estate was sold, the body was removed to Downside, where it has since lain surrounded by many of the monks with whom he had once been in conflict. Requiescat in pace I A memorial of this well-nigh forgotten dispute is enshrined in the name of a portion of the Downside property. A field now called " Bainsbury " was formerly known by several different names : Wansborough, Hansborough^ and Woods- borough occur in different deeds relating to it. The present name was conferred upon it some time about 1830, when Dr. Baines was so confident of getting possession of Downside that he had actually selected this high ground, with its ex- tended view towards the north-east, as the site of his future school and seminary. So the story goes ; and that the pre- sent name commemorates the attempt — and its failure. '05 CHAPTER VII THE DEVELOPMENT OF ST. GREGORY'S DURING THE NINETEENTH CENTURY Increase of boys — Opening of Prior Park temporarily damages prosperity — Old prospectus — Energy in studies — Horarium — Dietary — Exhi- bition programme — Sodality re-established — Downside Discussion — Prior Wilson's term of office— Affiliation to London University — Again need of increased accommodation — Pugin's plans — Hansom's plans — Laying of foundation-stones — Description of new buildings — 1864 Jubilee— Observatory — Further additions to the school— Cere- mony of laying foundation-stones — Description of the additions-- Lord Petre — Old chapel abandoned for the new church — Later events — Queen's Jubilee. Throughout the contest described in the last chapter, the school was enjoying its unwonted elbow-room, partially un- conscious of the turmoil and anxiety in the breasts of its masters, the cause of which was kept, as far as possible, from the knowledge of the boys. The whole of the new building was not occupied at once ; the play-room was not finished, and one dormitory was not fitted up for a year or more ; nor had the brew-house (the present bath and music-rooms) and laundry been commenced. Though the rooms and offices were a welcome advance on the previous acconmiodation, they would not stand the test of modern sanitary requirements. Fireplaces were scarce; and although some apparatus was used for heating the larger rooms and passages, we have Sir John Lambert's testimony that it was altogether insufficient. In the winter the cold in the 206 DEVELOPMENT OF ST. GREGORY'S dormitory was sometimes painfully severe ; and in the summer the atmosphere was often stuffy and unpleasant from inade- quate ventilation. A bath was an unknown luxury, and the lavatory and other sanitary arrangements were of the primitive type prevalent in those days. The only available illuminant was the ordinary tallow candle : a few years ago, while some repairs were being made, one of these candles was found be- tween the floor joists of the old chapel — a unique relic of by- gone days. The number of boys, which was fluctuating about twenty when the new school buildings were entered, began to increase steadily year by year, and at the opening of Prior Park in 1830, had reached sixty; but then for a period the number fell off considerably, owing to the attractions displayed by Dr. Baines in his rival prospectus. This doubling and trebling of the numbers in so few years, together with the better housing, much improved the morale of the school. It introduced more emulation in the studies, more life in the games. The following (before 18 18) prospectus will convey some idea of the education at that time imparted at St. Gregory's : — "A General View of the Course of Education. " In forming the Plan of Education pursued at Downside College, it has ever been the constant endeavour of those en- trusted with the arrangement of the studies, to unite to the knowledge of the English, French, Latin, and Greek Lan- guages, the acquisition of such Sciences as may be either ser- viceable or ornamental in life. With these ideas before them, the Directors of the Establishment do all in their power to teach their pupils a compleat course of History, Ancient and Modern; lay before them a comprehensive system of Geo- graphy, general and particular; conduct them through the practical parts of the Mathematics, and every branch of Arith- metic ; and unfold unto them the admirable order and arrange- 207 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL ment observable through all the works of Nature. Religion, the great object of man's concern, is particularly attended to, and all its duties assiduously explained and enforced. "Terms, 40 Guineas per annum: to be paid half-yearly in advance. Clothing, Medicines, Postage, ''s has always existed as a lay school, nevertheless, besides its own government and its share in that of the English Benedictine congregation, it has furnished the Church at large with no mean number of bishops and prelates. Indeed, this feature is so very marked and conspicuous, that the mere enumeration of the prelates who have been selected from amongst Gregorians forms of itself a notable record. And to make this more emphatic, they will be here grouped together out of strict chronological order. His Eminence Herbert, C\rdinal Vaughan, was at Downside during the years 1849-1851, and he has placed it on record that while there he received the call to the ecclesias- tical state. After pursuing his ecclesiastical studies elsewhere and being raised to the priesthood, he became the founder of Mill Hill Missionar}' College. In 1873 he was consecrated Bishop of Salford, where he remained till, upon the death of Cardinal Manning, he was transferred to the archdiocese of Westminster. He received the Cardinal's Hat in 1892, with the title of St. Gregory's on the Coelian Hill. A very inadequate portrait of him as Bishop of Salford hangs in the boys' Dining Hall. The wish of Downside to its distinguished alumnus may be borrowed from the Falemian poet : Serus in caelum redeas. Most Rev. James Butler (II.) was partly educated at 325 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL St. Gregory's, Douay, which he entered about 1753, partly at St. Omers and Paris. He was appointed coadjutor with right of succession to Dr. James Butler (I.), Archbishop of Cashel, being consecrated on July 4, 1773, with the title of Bishop of Germanicopolis, i.p.i. He succeeded to the arch- bishopric the following year, and died on July 29, 1791, aged 50 years. (Maziere Brady, iii.) Most Rev. John Bede Folding, O.S.B. After completing his school course at Acton Burnell, he there entered the order; and after filling many important posts in the house of his profession, he was selected for the arduous task of organising the Catholic Church in the Antipodes. He was consecrated Bishop of Hiero-Caesarea in 1834, and became in due course first Archbishop of Sydney, N.S.W., and enjoys the proud distinction of being the father of the Catholic Church in Australasia and the founder of its hierarchy. A portrait of him, painted in the early years of his episcopate, hangs in the boys' Dining Hall at Downside. {Diet. Nat. Biog., xlvi. 18; Doivnside Rev., i. 91, &c.) Most Rev. William Bernard Ullathorne, O.S.B. After entering Downside school at a somewhat advanced age, and overcoming the backwardness of his education, he took the habit. He went to New South Wales as Vicar- General of Dr. Morris, Bishop of Mauritius, in whose diocese the whole of the vast continent of Australia then lay. He was there instrumental in ameliorating the condition of the convicts, and later in securing the abolition of the system of transportation. Though he repeatedly refused the mitre, he was at last forced to yield; and, in 1846, became Vicar- Apostolic of the Western District. At the restoration of the Hierarchy in 1850, in effecting which he took the lion's share, he was translated to the newly erected See of Birming- ham, over which he continued to preside till his retirement, 326 GREGORIAN WORTHIES when he was honoured with the titular Archbishopric of Cabasa. He was a prolific writer. His death occurred on March 21, 1889. His portrait, painted by R. Burchett in 1852, is at Downside. (Maziere Brady, iii. 400; Diet. Nat. Bio^.^ xlviii. 19 ; Downside Rev.^ ix. 71.) Most Rev. Roger Bede Vaughan, O.S.B., younger brother of Cardinal Vaughan. He entered the school at Downside in 1850, and in due time was admitted to the habit. He succeeded Dom Norbert Sweeney as the second cathedral prior of Belmont, and in 1873 was consecrated as coadjutor to Dr. Folding, whom he succeeded in due course, becoming the second Archbishop of Sydney, N.S.W. He died suddenly, the day after landing in England, on Aug. 18, 1883. His portrait is at Belmont. {Diet. Nat. Biog., xlviii. 177; Downside Rev., iii. i, &c.) . Right Rev. Michael Philip Ellis, O.S.B., after passing through the school, was professed at Douay in 1670. He was one of the chaplains at Somerset House, and in 1688 was consecrated Bishop of Aureliopolis, /././., and appointed Vicar-Apostolic of the Western District. He left England at the Revolution, and in 1708 was translated to the See of Segni in Italy, and died there in 1726. A beautiful portrait of him, engraved by Meyer from a painting, is prefixed to the Ellis Correspondenee, in 2 vols. 8vo, pub- hshed in 1829 by the Hon. George Agar-Elljs. (Gillow, ii. 161; Dodd, iii. 467; Maziere Brady, iii. 281; Diet. Nat. Biog., xvii. 287; Downside Rev., xvii. 231.) Right Rev. William Lawrence York, O.S.B., was a boy in the school, and later a monk at Douay. Consecrated Bishop of Niba, i.p.i., and coadjutor to Dr. Pritchard, V.A. of the Western District, in 1741, he succeeded in 1750. Resigning in 1764, he retired to Douay, where he died in 1770. His portrait forms one of the series of Gregorian 327 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL bishops at Downside. (Maziere Brady, iii. 295 ; Diet. Nat. Biog., Ixiii. 336.) Right Rev. Charles Walmesley, O.S.B., though a boy in the school at Douay, joined the community of St. Edmund's at Paris. He was a D.D. of the Sorbonne ; and being acknowledged as a brilHant astronomer and savant, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was mainly instrumental in bringing about the change of style in Eng- land by the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar. He was consecrated Bishop of Rama, /././., and coadjutor to Bishop York, V.A. of the Western District, in 1756, and succeeded him on his retirement in 1764. He died at Bath in 1797. A fine and striking portrait of him is in the Downside Dining Hall. The episcopate of the Church in the United States of America is derived from him, he having consecrated Dr Carroll as first Bishop of Baltimore, at Lulworth, in 1790. (Maziere Brady, iii. 298; Diet. Nat. Biog., lix. 157.) Right Rev. William Gregory Sharrock, O.S.B. A Gregorian by education and profession, he became prior of his house, and in 1781 was consecrated Bishop of Telmessus, /././., and coadjutor to Bishop Walmesley, V.A. of the Western District, whom he succeeded in 1797, and died at Bath in 1809. A poor portrait exists at Downside. (Maziere Brady, iii. 303.) Right Rev. William Placid Morris, O.S.B., was a boy at Acton Burnell, and there, too, he joined the community. He was consecrated Bishop of Troy, i.p.i., and appointed Vicar- Apostolic of the Mauritius in 1832. He retired in 1840, and, till his death in 1872, resided at Roehampton near London, where he was well known and much respected. His portrait is at Downside. {Doivnside Rev., \. 329.) Right Rev. Thomas Joseph Brown, O.S.B., entered the school while it was located at Acton Burnell, and there took the habit shortly before the migration to Downside, 328 GREGORIAN WORTHIES where he was the first to make his vows. He was a learned theologian and a doughty controversialist. After filling nearly every post at Downside, including the priorship, he was ap- pointed Vicar - Apostolic of the Welsh District, and conse- crated Bishop of Appolonia, /././., in 1840. In 1850 he became the first Bishop of Newport and Menevia, which diocese he continued to govern till his death in 1880. A characteristic portrait of him is on the walls of the Dining Hall. (Gillow, i. 325 ; Maziere Brady, iii. ; Diet. Nat, Biog.j vii. 33 ; Downside Rev,, i. 4.) Right Rev. Charles Henry Davis, O.S.B., boy and monk at Downside, was selected to be the first bishop of Maitland, Australia; and to that See he was consecrated in 1848; but a life of much promise was prematurely closed in 1854. There is a poor portrait of him in the Dining Hall. (Gillow, ii. 31 ; Dr Oliver, Collections.) Right Rev. Arthur Riddell, D.D., Bishop of Northamp- ton, consecrated 1880. Of the family of Riddells of Felton, Northumberland, he was born in 1836, and entered the school at Downside in 1846, where he remained till 1850. Right Rev. Patrick J. Donahue, D.D., Bishop of Wheeling, W. Va., U.S.A., consecrated 1894. He entered the school in 1865. Right Rev. Adelrich Benziger, D.D., O.C.D., conse- crated in 1900 coadjutor to the Bishop of Quilon, S. India, entered Downside School in 1882. May the fruitful labours of these three last named dis- tinguished Gregorian prelates in the Master's Vineyard be continued for many years yet to come. Three Gregorians, first boys, then monks, and each in his time prior of the house, were adjudged worthy of receiving episcopal consecration, though they refused the mitre. As it was through their own act that they remained simple priests, their names deserve to find a place here. 329 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL In 1806, Bishop Gregory Sharrock applied to Rome for a coadjutor ; and Propaganda granted him one in the person of his own brother James Jerome, then prior at Acton Burnell. His Briefs and appointment to the See of Themiscyra in Cappadocia, /././., were actually made out, dated April 19, 1806, but he could not be induced to accept the burden. Dr Peter Bernardine Collingridge,^ O^F., was appointed in his stead. (Maziere Brady, iii.) Dom Luke Bernard Barber was selected for an English bishopric, but though he was urged to accept it, resolutely refused the honour. The correspondence relating to the offer is in the Downside archives. Dom Joseph Peter Wilson was selected in 1842 to be- come the first Bishop of Hobart Town, Tasmania ; but on his firm refusal to accept the nomination, it was transferred to Fr. Willson of Nottingham. The portraits of Frs. Barber and Wilson are in the Downside Dining Hall. While the penal laws were in vigour, small scope was afforded to staunch lay Catholics of either developing or exhibit- ing their powers, every avenue to fame and distinction being barred by the statutory obligation of taking oaths of allegiance containing clauses repugnant to the belief and the consciences of Catholics. Nearly a century and a quarter ago, one who suffered from these manifold disabilities gave expression to the sentiments which he and others entertained on this subject in the following words : " How great soever their natural endowments should be, in acquired abilities they {i.e. Catholics) must be inferior to Protestants, . . . nor in the progress of life do they feel those incitements to application and improve- ment which can alone give superiority to mental talents. In the walks of retirement, I own, they may be informed and able : the genius even of science is here often more propitious GREGORIAN WORTHIES than in the busy haunts of men ; and the muses are known to love the sequestered vale." Elsewhere the same apologist wrote in 1781 : "Catholics for many years back had made too inconsiderable a figure in the drama of human life to attract the notice of the annalist or the historian. In the most crowded narratives of English business they seldom appear, unless where peevish humour brings them forward for an object of censure or of malignant satire." In consequence, the lay element is not so largely represented in our list of Gregorian " wor- thies " as could be wished. It is advisable to sound this note of warning, as it sufficiently accounts for the otherwise seemingly undue preponderance of the ecclesiastical element. The co-founder of St. Gregory's with its first superior, the Venerable John Roberts or de Mer- vinia, was Father Augus- tine Bradshaw, alias White. He stands third in the list of priors of St. Gregory's, and during his term of office the establishment moved out of its temporary quarters in the buildings of the Trinitarians, into suitable ones provided by his energy and the noble munificence of Abbot Caverel : and while he was prior, the school entered on its career. {Did. Nat. Biog., Ixi. 55; Downside Rev.^ xvii. 72.) Dom Leander Jones, alias Scudamore, otherwise best known as Dom Leander de Sancto Martino, was three 331 DOM LEANDER DE STO. MARTINO (/<>. Leander Jones) DOWNSIDE SCHOOL times prior of St Gregory's, and also President-General of the English Benedictines. Dom Cressy says he was "for his piety and universal learning famous throughout Christendom." Being a man of consummate prudence and patience, he was selected as eminently fitted to be entrusted with a special mission to England to negotiate with the Government there, by whom he was trusted, and who granted him a safe con- duct. He was no mean poet, and has left many writings behind him, the most important being the Apostolatus Bene- dictinoriim in Anglia, a joint work of which he was part author. (Gillovv, iii. 660; Dodd, iii. 112; Diet. Nat. Biog., XXX. 123 : Downside Rev., iv. 25 : Taunton, Black Monks, ii.) Dom William Rudesind Barlow, the fifth prior of Douay, was a man of great erudition, and was looked upon as one of the first divines and canonists of his age. Much of the early prosperity of St. Gregory's may be attributed to his energy. (Gillow, i. 136; Diet. Nat. Biog., iii. 224.) Dom David Augustine Baker, formerly a lawyer, was one of the first members of the restored English Benedictine con- gregation. Though a member of the Dieulouard community, he was for some considerable time a conventual at St. Gre- gory's, and so was brought into connection with the school ; and by his saintly life exercised a powerful influence in the formation of the characters of the boys at that time frequent- ing St. Gregory's. He was the author of many much esteemed ascetical writings, besides others on ecclesiastical history, in which he was deeply versed ; and his knowledge of the anti- quities of England brought him into correspondence with those giants of antiquarian research. Sir Robert Cotton, John Selden, Sir Henry Spelman, and William Camden. It was due to his initial labours that the material was collected for the Apostolatus ; and his papers were put into shape and edited by Fr. Clement Reyner. An oil painting of this 332 GREGORIAN WORTHIES saintly and deeply learned monk hangs in the Downside Dining Hall. (Dom Sweeney's Life; Gillow, i. 112; Did, Nat. Biog.^ iii. 2.) Dom Hugh Serenus Cressy, after a brilliant Oxford course, was ordained in the Established Church, and therein rose to the dignity of canon of Windsor and dean of Leighlin. Becoming a convert in 1646, he three years later made his profession at St. Gregory's. He was a noted historian, and his Church History of Brittany^ only the first volume of which was ever printed, is valuable. Many other works came from his pen. In the later years of his life he was stationed at Somerset House, and there died in 1674. Perhaps some readers may recall the high appreciation of him which finds a place in chapter xx. oi John Inglesant, (Gillow, i. 592; Dodd, iii. 307 ; Diet. Nat. Biog., xiii. 72.) Patrick Gary, at first in the school, later a novice but never professed, was a younger son of Lady Falkland, whose life he subsequently wrote. He was also a poet of some merit, as is attested by some fragments which he published. {Diet, Nat. Biog., ix. 251.) Sir Robert Stapylton was the third son of Sir Richard Stapylton of Carleton, Yorks. Dodd says he was " educated with a great deal of care ... in the monastery of the English monks in the University of Douay; where he distinguished himself in human learning, especially poetry, having a par- ticular genius for that kind of study. After his return into England he became a member of the Protestant Church, and so continued till his death." He was a voluminous dramatic poet and translator. It must be added with regret that he was professed as a monk in 1625, but was afterwards dismissed the order, and returning to England, abandoned his religion, as related by Dodd. (Dodd, iii. 253 ; Diet, Nat. Biog., liv. 100.) Dom Arthur Anselm Crowther, alias Broughton, may 333 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL possibly have been one of the earliest boys in St. Gregory's school ; but his profession so early as 1611 makes this doubt- ful. He died a prisoner for the Faith in the Old Bailey. He was a learned spiritual writer, and founder of the Con- fraternity of the Rosary in London, for whose members he wrote a special book of holy exercises and meditationSi (Gillow, i. 664; Diet. Nat. Biog.^ xiii. 236.) Dom JortN CuTHBERT FuRSDON was a pupil and an admirer of Fr. Augustine Baker, who, it is clear, was the means of his being sent to St. Gregory's. He must have been in the school, and one of its earliest members. He became a monk in 1620. Wheti on the mission, he was the instrument of the conversion of the Falkland family. He published three or four works. (Gillow, ii. 342 ; Diet. Nat. Biog.., xx. 334.) Dom Gregory Benedict Stapylton, of the family of Carleton, Yorks, was not only a boy and monk at Douay, but likewise became tenth prior of the house; and in 1661 he was appointed superior of the community at Somerset House, and in this capacity was well known at Court. He died in 1680, being then President-General. Dom John Hudlestone has taken his place in English history as having been instrumental together with the Pendrells in saving Charles H 's life after the battle of Worcester, and also for having reconciled him to the Church on his deathbed. In 1673, when- an order in Council was issued commanding all Catholic priests born within any of his Majesty's dominions to leave the kingdom, special exception was made in favour of Fr. Hudlestone, " who was eminently serviceable to his Majesty in his escape from Worcester." An original portrait of this Father, at the age of seventy-eight, painted by Housman in 1685, is at the ancestral family seat at Hutton John, in Cumberland. (Dodd, iii. 490 ; Gillow, iii. 463 ; Diet. Nat. Biog., xxviii, 143.) 334 GREGORIAN WORTHIES Dom Richard Wilfrid Reeve was brought up a Protest- ant, and became a schoolmaster. In 1667 he submitted to the Church, went to St. Gregory's to live as a lay convictor, but in 1675 he petitioned to be admitted to the habit, and was accepted : he taught in the school at Douay for several years. Anthony a Wood, who knew him well, says of him : " He was accounted a perfect philologist, admirably well versed in all classical learning, and a good Grecian ; and had been so sedulous in his profession of paedagogy, that he had educated 60 ministers of the Church of England, and about 40 Roman priests." He was, moreover, no mean poet, as verses still extant testify. {Did. Nat. Biog.^ xlvii. 413.) John Steevens was in the school at Douay by February 1675. H^ is best known to fame as a Spanish scholar and translator of several works from that language, as also from the French and Portuguese. He was, moreover, a learned and industrious antiquary. In 17 18 he published a translation and abridgment of Dugdale's Monasticon Anglicanum, and added two additional volumes ; and in the list of subscribers to that work may be recognised the names of many of his old schoolfellows, and of other Gregorians, evidently interested in his labours. The translation which he made of Ven. Bede's Ecclesiastical History formed the basis of that published by Dr. Giles. {Diet. Nat. Biog., liv. 231.) Dom Gregory Greenwood passed through the school, and then took the monastic vows in 1688. In due course he was transferred to the mission, wherein he laboured till his death in 1744. He it was who gave to St. Gregory's its beautiful organ, now in the Church of Notre Dame in Douay. He was a voluminous ascetical and catechetical writer, no fewer than 39 volumes from his pen being still preserved in MS. For close on a quarter of a century he acted as chaplain to the Throckmortons at Coughton Court, Warwickshire ; and the 335 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL long connection of that ancient family with St. Gregory's is probably due to their regard for him, and to his influence. (Gillow, iii. 46.) Henry Carey, poet and musician, was a boy at Douay at the end of the seventeenth or at the very commencement of the eighteenth century. He is best known as the author of " Sally in our Alley " ; and he has also been credited by some with the authorship of " God Save the King." {Diet. Nat. Biog., ix. 71.) Nathaniel Pigott was the son and heir of Adam Pigott, a London merchant, and entered the school at Douay about 1670. He was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1682, and was the last Catholic called to the Bar in 1688, before the statute of William and Mary, enjoining oaths impossible for Catholics to take, shut them out from pleading in the law courts. Alexander Pope entertained a great regard and friend- ship for him, and when he died wrote the following beautiful epitaph for him, which is in Twickenham parish church : "To the memory of Nathaniel Pigott, barrister-at-law ; possessed of the highest character by his learning, judgment, experience, integrity ; deprived of the highest stations only by his con- science and religion. Many he assisted in the law ; more he kept from it. A friend to peace, a guardian to the poor, a lover of his country. He died July 5, 1737, aged 76 years." In 1 7 1 5 he professed himself quite ready to take the oath of allegiance, but was obdurate in refusing the oath of supremacy, or to repeat and subscribe the declaration against transubstan- tiation. He was a great conveyancing lawyer, and a work he wrote on the subject is still a standard authority. His six sons were all at St. Gregory's — namely, Charles, Ralph, Edward, Nathaniel, Francis, and George. Ralph's son, Nathaniel, a noted astronomer in after-years, was also a Gregorian, and entered the Sodality while in the school at GREGORIAN WORTHIES Douay in 1738. He had two sons, Edward and Charles Gregory. The former of these was, Hke his father, a distin- guished astronomer. The younger brother assumed the name and arms of Fairfax, on coming into the Gilling Castle pro- perty.. , l^t is not quite certain whether either of them ever entered St. Gregory's, but various circumstances favour the idea that they were both there between 1770 and 1780. . {Diet. Nat. Biog.^ xlv. 283 ; J. Orlebar Payne's Engl. Cath. Non- jurors of 1 7 1 5 ; and the same author's Records of Engl. Caths.^ 1715.) Giles HussEY, the painter, was born in 17 10 at Marnhull, and was educated, partly at St. Gregory's, partly at St. Omers. Many of his portrait drawings are at - Lulworth Castle, Dorset- shire. (Gillow, iii. 507 ; Diet. Nat. Biog., xxxviii. 328.) Dom John Anselm Mannock is best known to Catholics through the Boor Man^s Cateehism, which " alone stamps his name with immortality," as Mr. Gillow says. Few of his works found their way into print, but many fat volumes of MS. in the archive-room at Downside attest both his industry and his learning. His Christian Saerifiee was edited through the munificence of six gentlemen, to whom he acknowledged his indebtedness in the preface. They had all been boys at Douay, either his contemporaries in the school or his pupils. They were — Sir Robert Throckmorton, Bart.; Sir Charles Browne, Bart.; Sir Richard Moore, Bart.; William Stanford of Salford, Warwickshire, Esq.; Francis Canning of Foxcote, Warwickshire, Esq.; and the last-named gentleman's son Francis. (Gillow, iv. 458 ; Diet. Nat. Biog.^ xxxvi. 76.) Dom John Stourton, youngest son of William, nth Baron Stourton, has been mentioned in the body of this his- tory. He was the twenty-first prior of St. Gregory's, and in that office deserved specially well of his house, and has been enshrined in the memory of all Gregorians on account of his 337 Y DOWNSIDE SCHOOL intrepid defence of the interests of Douay when they were threatened. Dom James Augustine Moore, of the family whose seat was at Fawley, in Berkshire, passed from the school into the community, of which he was prior when he died in 1775. His name will always be associated with the history of music at St. Gregory's, for to him was due the credit of employing the Abbe Faboulier to prepare the chant which has ever since been traditional in the house, the portions best known being those used at the Ofifice of the Dead and at Tenebrae. Philip Howard of Corby, born in 1730, was distinguished even at St. Gregory's " by his moral conduct and religious piety, learning, and taste." He displayed throughout life an intense love for scientific pursuits, and was a pioneer in the introduction of scientific farming. He is the author of works in both French and English. (Gillow, iii. 440.) Dom Richard Peter Walmesley, alias Shirburne, was the elder brother of Bishop Walmesley. At first in the school, he joined the community in 1736, and spent the whole of his long life at Douay, where he is said to have filled the post of prefect of discipline for nearly fifty years. There is no means of verifying this statement with absolute certainty ; but at least a very long tenure of that responsible office gave him the opportunity of creating, or rather of handing on, a tradition which has survived in its main lines to the present day ; and with this tradition is linked the name of Dom Oswald Davis, for many living Gregorians. Dom Peter Walmesley's record of quiet devotion to duty entitles him to a niche amongst Gregorian worthies, by reason of the potent influence for good which he unostentatiously exercised, and which peeps out of the Gregorian correspondence of the eighteenth century. Henry Howard of Corby, born in 1757, entered St. Gregory's school when he was ten years of age, and remained 338 GREGORIAN WORTHIES there till his 1 6- 17th year. After unavailing attempts to enter the English army — closed to him on account of his religion — he threw himself into poHtics, and was held in such estimation that he was offered a seat in Parliament ; but the oath of allegiance required of him before he could take his seat being repugnant to a Catholic, he was forced to decline the honour. When the penal laws were at length relaxed, he received a militia commission, and was even permitted to raise a volunteer corps, of which he eventually became colonel- commandant. Most actively did he exert himself in the cause of Catholic Emancipation. Not only was he a man of considerable scientific attainments, but he was also a good soldier and an excellent man of business, and as a Catholic and a country gentleman bore a high reputation, and was much respected. (Gillow, iii. 427 ; Diet, Nat. Biog., xxviii. 34.) Dom Archibald Benedict MacDonald, of the family of MacDonalds of Lochaber, entered the school at Douay with his brother. Both of them became monks. Dom Benedict, though an active missioner, contrived to devote considerable time and attention to literature, and published some works which in their day attracted favourable notice. An ardent admirer of Ossian, he rendered some of his poems into English verse. In the preface to Some of Ossian's Lesser Poems he quotes some spirited verses from a mediaeval rhymer, and proceeds thus : " As some may think these verses convey no bad representation of the tumult, hurry, and confusion of an engagement, I shall attempt a transla- tion." The original and the translation are here appended : — " Hie capit, hie rapit ; hie teret, hie ferit ; eece dolores ! Vox tonat, aes sonat ; hie ruit, hie luit ; aeta modo res est. Hie secat, hie neeat ; hie doeet, hie noeet ; iste fugatur : Hie latet, hie patet ; hie premit, hie gemit ; hie superatur." 339 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL These lines are thus Englished by Fr. MacDonald : — " Now hacking and thwacking, now slashing and gashing they close ! Swords batter, shields clatter ; what wailing, what dealing of VjIovvs ! - This rushing, this pushing ; this bawling, this falling ; this slain : .That hiding ; that chiding ; that dying, that flying amain." (Gillow, iv. 369 ; Diet. Nat. Biog., xxxv. 30.) Rev. John Chetwode Eustace entered St. Gregory's school about 1772, and was admitted to the Sodality on August 15, 1774. He tried his vocation as a monk but failed ; and later was ordained as a secular priest. He is noted as a classical antiquary, and his Tour through Ita/y, or Classical Tour through Italy., was a great success, and is sometimes still referred to. This is only one of many works that proceeded from his facile and graceful pen, but on its appearance it created such a sensation that, though the writer had hitherto been unknown, it brought him into immediate prominence, and his acquaintance was eagerly sought by most persons distinguished in England by rank and talents. To Gregorians he will ever be a subject of interest, for though passages in his writings were tinged with so liberal, not to say uncatholic, a colouring as to raise protests, yet it is clear that he never repudiated his religion in the slightest degree, and he ever remained warmly attached to his Alma Mater. (Gillow, ii. 182; Diet. Nat. Biog., xviii. 52.) Ernest Engelbert, Prince d'Arenberg, son of the famous Comte de la Marck, entered the school at Douay in 1789. Following the traditions of his illustrious family, he entered the Austrian service, and became such a pro- ficient in at least the theoretical portion of his adopted profession, as to publish in 1824 L^Art de la Fortifieation. He proposed to endow a Christian medical school, because he wished to see doctors trained as religious men ; and he 340 GREGORIAN WORTHIES begged Rosmini to help him in carrying out his charit- able project. His plans and ideas were laid before the Congregation of Bishops and Regulars, but no answer was vouchsafed for some years ; and then, before alternative suggestions could be formulated and discussed, the Prince died. The D'Arenberg family afterwards consented that the funds thus set apart for a specific purpose should be diverted towards founding an Orphanage near Lille, whence many vocations to the priesthood have emanated. {Downside Rev.^ xviii. 150, 214.) Daniel French entered the school at Douay in 1776, and died at a good old age in 1846. He was called to the Bar; but his principal claim to remembrance was a great facility for turning English verse into Latin or Greek ; his controversial pamphlets are numerous. {Dozvnside Rev.^ vi. 139.) Charles Dolman, the well-known Catholic publisher, born in 1807, entered Downside school in 181 7, and there he completed his studies. He died in 1863. After severing his connection with the Catholic periodical press, he de- voted his attention to the publication of works of a costly character, many of them richly illustrated, and several still valued as specimens of typography. (Gillow, ii. 87 ; Diet, Nat. Biog., XV. 199.) Joseph Louis Tasker, a talented and promising linguist and traveller, came as a boy to Downside in 1836. His death occurred at Shiraz in Persia, August 27, 1848, after an absence of five years from England. Possessed of a wonderful memory, it is said of him that what he had once seen, or read, or heard he never forgot. His enterprise as an ex- plorer and his knowledge of the principal languages, ancient and modern (including the power of deciphering the cunei- form inscriptions), made his early death the more to be regretted. Some years later, a collection of his letters was 341 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL published, under the title Travels in Eiii'ope and the East, {Downside Rev., iv. 216.) Richard More O'Ferrall, born in 1797, died in 1880. He entered St. Gregory's when it was at Acton Burnell, about the year 1806, and there he was confirmed on July 24, 1808. From an early age he joined in the struggle in Ireland to secure civil and religious liberty. When Catholic disabilities had at length been almost entirely abolished, he sat for many years in Parliament, and also held various offices under the Melbourne Administration. In 1847 he was appointed Governor of Malta, a post he resigned in 1851, in protest against the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, on the ground that he declined to serve under Lord John Russell, the Prime Minister who carried it. He was made a Privy Councillor in 1847; ^"dj ^t his death, was the oldest member of the Irish Privy Council. {Diet. Nat. Biog., xlii. 2.) Sir John Lambert, K.C.B., P.C, a very distinguished civil servant, and one of the drafters of important Parliamentary bills, who, though strongly radical and democratic in his private opinions, was nevertheless so loyal to the chiefs in office that he was highly esteemed and trusted by such opposite men as Lord Beaconsfield and Mr. Gladstone. It was Lord Beaconsfield who w^as instrumental in bestow- ing upon him the K.C.B. His life and life's work are too full of detail to allow of even the slightest sketch here. He was an ardent musician, and did much for the revival of Plain Song in England. He entered Downside in 1823, and to the end of his life (1892) was a most devoted Gregorian, and a constant contributor to the pages of the Downside Revieiv. His article on the " Days of Auld Lang Syne" — school reminiscences written for that periodical — obtained the warm approval and praise of so com- petent a literary critic as Mr. Gladstone, whose only complaint 342 GREGORIAN WORTHIES about it was that it was too short. (Gillow, iv. 97; Diet. Nat. Biog., xxxii. 18 ; Downside Rev., viii. 17 and xi. i.) James Vincent Harting, F.S.A., was in the school at Downside from 1825 till 1828, after which he studied at the London University. He was an able and distinguished solicitor. He died in 1883 at the age of seventy-one. (Gillow, iii. 157.) Dom James Norbert Sweeney was St. Gregory's thirty- eighth prior, and also first cathedral prior of Belmont; and some time after he vacated that dignity was elected titular Abbot of St. Alban's, which position he adorned till his death in 1883. He was known far and wide in the English- speaking Catholic world as a preacher, lecturer, and spiritual writer. His portrait is at Downside. Stephen Joseph Mackenna entered Downside in 1849. After serving with distinction in the army, wherein he rose to the rank of captain, he exchanged the sword for the pen, and became a novelist of some repute, and especially a writer of pure literature for boys. He died in 1883, aged forty- four. He had inherited his literary instincts from his father, Theodore Mackenna (himself also a Gregorian), who left behind him many published works. With these may be associated the names of two other Gregorians who, in recent times, have swelled the ranks of novelists and have succeeded in securing an audience. They are Edmund Randolph and Malcolm Laing-Meason. (Gillow, iv. 386.) Denis Caulfield Heron, Q.C, LL.D. (Mr. Sergeant), was, at the time of his death in 1881, one of the leading Counsel for the Crown in Irish State trials. He entered Downside school in 1834, and there went through the ordinary course of studies, and afterwards proceeded to Trinity College, Dublin. He was the author of some legal works. {Downside Rev., i. 211.) 343 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL ■Richard O'Gorman came to Downside in 1835. He took a too prominent part in the Irish Rising of 1848, and therefore found it necessary to emigrate to the United States. There, in his adopted country, he so prospered as a lawyer as to obtain a judgeship of the Supreme Court, which he held till his death. Llewellyn Mostyn entered the school in 1861, and thence passed into the office of an old-established firm of solicitors. Unknown to the world at large, he was neverthe- less chiefly known to Gregorians as a very staunch supporter of his old school, whose interests were always near his heart He became the first Treasurer of the Gregorian Society at its restoration in 1877, and remained in that post sufficiently long to see the Society through all its initial difficulties, and to secure its safe and sound establishment. So fully was it recognised that this happy result was due to his untiring efforts that, on his untimely death, which occurred at Down- side, where he was taken ill while on a visit, the Council of the Society erected a memorial brass in the Abbey Church to commemorate him. {Dow7tside Rev..^ vii. 50.) Dom Joseph Jerome Vaughan, the brother of Cardinal Vaughan, Archbishop Roger Bede Vaughan, and several other brothers, all but one Gregorians, and himself belong- ing to Downside by education and monastic profession, is best known as the founder and builder of the Abbey of Fort Augustus, N.B. (^Downside Rev.^ xv. 291.) The Right Honble. and Right Rev. Mgr. William Joseph Lord Petre's benefactions to St. Gregory's have been already noticed in the body of this history. He received a mark of the Church's recognition of his labours in the interests of secondary education by being made a Domestic Prelate to His Holiness, Leo XIII. The Petre Library possesses a fair portrait of Lord Petre, but it is. merely an enlarged photo- 344 GREGORIAN WORTHIES graph. His portrait in oils is surely one of the wants which should soon be supplied. {Downside Rev.^ xii. 89.) Right Rev. Mgr. Francis Weld, entered the school in 183 1, and on the termination of his career there, tried his vocation unsuccessfully. He was, however, always a devoted friend to St. Gregory's ; and at his death, which occurred on September 26, 1898, gave practical proof of his abiding interest in the home of his school-days, by leaving a sub- stantial legacy to be devoted specifically to the completion of the monastery. During his life he generously gave the funds needful for the erection of the east cloister joining the refectory block with the church, with the special objects — first, of securing greater privacy and quiet for the monks ; secondly, of providing the boys with a shorter and more convenient route from the school to the church. He also built the monks' present refectory. {Downside Rev.^ xvii. 291.) While commemorating the dead, it behoves us not to be unmindful of those who, still happily living and striving amongst us, are debarred from receiving the meed of praise which is justly their due. First in order of rank, as being so closely connected with Downside by every tie of filial and fatherly affection, comes the Right Rev. Abbot Gasquet, D.D., forty-third prior of St. Gregory's, now titular Abbot of Reading and Abbot- President of the English Benedictines, widely known by his historical writings. The Right Rev. P. W. Raynal, titular Abbot of St. Alban's, is known to every Gregorian as having had the chief hand in the monastic formation of the majority of living members of the English Benedictine congregation. Mr. Wilfrid Ward, partly educated at Downside, is a philosophical writer who has taken a recognised position in 345 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL the literary world ; with him may be mentioned Sir J. P. FiTZPATRiCK, whose book on The Transvaal from ivithin made the true causes of the late Boer war clear to English- men, and received public commendation from Lord Rosebery and Mr. Chamberlain. In diplomacy St. Gregory's is represented by Sir Henry Howard, K.C.B., England's Minister at The Hague; while Sir Francis Fleming, K.C.M.G., takes rank as one of Great Britain's proconsuls. Politics may be said to be worthily upheld by The O'Conor Don, P.C, formerly M.P., who although not at present appreciated at his true worth in Ireland, is numbered amongst his Sovereign's Privy Coun- cillors. On Mr. Childers' death, he became Chairman of the important Royal Commission on the Financial Relations between Great Britain and Ireland ; and at the Coronation of King Edward VII., he bore the Standard of Ireland. It may not be inopportune to mention in this place, that before the obstructive policy introduced by the late Mr. Parnell, there was hardly a Parliament during the last cen- tury which did not include amongst its members more than one Gregorian sitting for some Irish constituency. Names that come readily to hand, for example, are those of The O'Conor Don, his brother Denis O'Conor, Hon. Charles French, Sir John Talbot Power, The O'Donoghue, and Sir Rowland Blennerhasset. The Right Honble. Sir John Day has now, it is true, re- tired from the Bench ; but this devoted son of Alma Mater, during his long tenure of office as judge, was selected to sit on two of the most difficult inquiries of recent times : the Belfast Riots Commission, and the Parnell Commission ; and has lately received the honour of being included in his Majesty's Privy Council. Mr. George Paul Taylor has also won early distinction as a City Magistrate. Mr. 346 GREGORIAN WORTHIES John Mulhall is an important member of the Executive as vice-President of the Irish Prisons Board ; and Sir Rowland Blennerhasset, LL.D., Principal of Queen's College, Cork, holds a foremost position in educational work in Ireland. Court officialdom has claimed the services of the Earl of Kenmare, who held the post of Lord Chamberlain to Queen Victoria. Science and Natural History are ably represented by Mr. Edmund Harting, F.L.S., F.Z.S. ; and Lt.-Col. Randolph Kilkelly, R.A.M.C., has been prominently before the public on account of his excellent work at the late seat of war in South Africa, More than thirty Gre- gorians took their share in the late struggle; and of these, five lost their lives. It is worthy of note, too, that the Abbot of Downside was the first to recognise that the duty of supplementing the over-taxed energies of the secular clergy in affording spiritual succour to the Catholic troops in the field was one that appealed to the patriotism of the regular clergy. He accordingly placed four monks from St. Gregory's at the disposal of the War Office, and his lead was followed by others. The oldest living Gregorian is a distinguished soldier of a generation that has passed away, Comte Henri EsPiNEVET DE LA ViLLEBOiSNET, who entered Downside in 182 1. He is now residing in Paris in hale old age, is a General de Division, and Grande Croix de la Legion d'Honneur. Art is not unworthily represented by Hector Caffieri ; and Sport has its votaries known 'to the public in the persons of the cricketers Sir T. C, O'Brien and Capt. Glennie Greig ; and Bernard Turnbull finds a place as a hockey " International." The lives of many of the Gregorians referred to in the foregoing pages must bring home to us in a forcible way that it was only by dint of strenuous effort and much self-sacrifice 347 DOWNSIDE SCHOOL on their part that we enjoy the inheritance that is ours to-day. The lessons this reflection teaches us are summed up in two words : Noblesse Oblige. And since the living generation of Gregorians owes so much to the men who have preceded them, and forms but a link in a long chain, the right way to shew a true appreciation of the obligations which have been be- queathed to us is to deserve from those who shall succeed an esteem like to that which has been won by our fore- fathers. FINIS. 348 APPENDIX APPENDIX. , PRIORS OF ST. GREGORY'S MONASTERY, OR HEADMASTERS OF THE SCHOOL. {N.B. — Until 1891 the headmastership of St. Gregory's School was merged in the priorship of the monastery. From 1S91 to 1900 the head of the school was called "rector," since when that official has been termed "headmaster." It is doubtful whether the first two on the list ever had charge of a school.) Venerable John Roberts, or de Mervinia . I 605- I 606 Nicholas Becket . . I 607- I 608 Augustine Bradshaw, alias White . . 1608- 1612 Leander Jones, or de Sancto Martino 1612 2-1614, 1621- 1625, 1629-1633 Rudesind Barlow 1614- 1620, 1625- 1629 Francis Antrobus 1 620- 1 62 1 Joseph Frere . 1633- 1641, 1662-1666 John Meutisse, alias Northall . 1641-1653 Bernard Palmes (of Naburn) . . 1653-1657 Benedict Stapylton (of Carleton) . 1657-1662 Goderic Blount (of Fawley) . . I 666- I 667 William Hitchcock (of Knitely) 166 7-1673, 1675- 1677, 1685-1693 Alexius Caryll (of West Grinstead) . 1673-1675 Augustine Howard (of Corby) 1677-1681 Jerome Hesketh (of Whitehill) 1681-1685 John Philipson . 1693- 1 701 Michael PuUein (of Killinghall) 1701 ■ 1705 1710-1713 Cuthbert Tatham . - 1705-1710 Sylvester Metham (of Metham) . 1713-1715 John Chorley . 1715-1717 John Stourton (of Stourton) . 1717-1721 William Philips, alias Pestell 1721-1723 Anthony Ord . 1723-1725 Lawrence York 1725-1729 Basil Warwick (of Warwickhall) I 729- I 732 Thomas Nelson 1732-1737 Benedict Steare 3^ t9 1737-1745 APPENDIX Alexius Shepherd Augustine Moore (of Fawley) Gregory Sharrock Jerome Sharrock Peter Kendal . Augustine Lawson (of Brough) Bernard Barber George Turner Joseph Brown . Peter Wilson , Norbert Sweeney Cuthbert Smith Alphonsus Morrall Ildephonsus Brown Bernard Murphy (held office for a few months in Aidan Gasquet Edmund Ford (became prior again in 1894 ; abbot in Clement Fowler (created headmastership in 1891) Wilfrid New ..... Aidan Howlett .... Leander Ramsay .... 19CX)) 1745-1755 1755-1775 1775-1780 1 7 80- 1 808 1808-1814 1814-1818 1818-1830 1 830- 1 834 1 834- 1 840 1 840- 1 8 54 1854-1859 1859-1866 I 866- I 868 I 868- I 870 1870- 1878 1878-1885 1885- 1888 I 888- I 894 1891-1900 I 900- I 902 1902- 350 INDEX Abingdon Debating Society, 287 Abram, Br. Ignatius, on Downside in 1814, 158 Account Books of old St, Gregory's, 68 Acton Burnell : school recommenced there, 130 accommodation for boys at, 131 enlarged for Gregorians, 145 chapel described, 136 activity at, 132 bat-and-ball at, 139 departure from, 155 celebration of jubilee of departure from, 225 Affiliation to London University, Charter of, 216 Agents, Gregorian, in London, 68, 69 Albert, Archduke, befriends English monks, 26 Albums, Gregorian, of portraits, 313 "Alkestis," Euripides', 273 Allen, Card., founds Douay Secular Coll., I Altar at Downside, description of, 186 Ampleforth : Laurentians settle at, 129 scheme to unite Downside with, 175 Journal.^ 106 Anne, Queen, and St. Gregory's, 52 Appeal for funds in 1814, 153 Archgeological Club, 311 Architects of Downside, 183, 221, 231 Architecture of Downside, 184, 185 Archives of St. Gregory's, fate of, 7 Armorial stained glass at Downside, 186, 233, 234, 247 Army chaplains, 347 Arras, Abbey of, undertakes repairs at Douay, 31 Athletic sports established, 231, 311 records, 311 Athy, Edm., 210, 212 Baines, Dr., sketch of, 194 estimate of, by Dr. Marsh, 195 becomes coadjutor, 195 letter to Prior Lawson, 161 plans for new school at Down- side, 161 desires to join Downside com- munity, 164 assists at opening of old chapel, 188, 190, 196 his dispute with Downside, 194 sqq. proposes to take over St. Gre- gory's, 196 to exchange Ampleforth with Downside, 196 works against Downside at Rome, 197 breaks with Benedictines, 197 relations with Prior Barber, 198 interview with him and Dr. Brown, 200 withdraws faculties from priests at Downside, 202 end of dispute, 204 founds Prior Park, 204 reconciled with Gregorians, 205 memorial of his dispute with Downside, 205 re-interred at Downside, 205 " Bainsbury," origin of the name, 205 Baker, D. Augustine, 332 at Douay, 14 Bannester, D, William, 315 Barber, D. Maurus, 36 Barber, Br. Joseph, prisoner at Doul- lens, 108 351 INDEX Barber, D. Bernard, account of, i8o goes to Douay, 169 becomes prior, 179 describes opening of old chapel, 188 selected to be a bishop, 330 Barker, Br. Thomas, prisoner at Doul- lens, 108 Barlow, D. Ambrose, martyr, 322 Barlow, D, Rudesind, account of, 332 remarks about the school in 1624, 9 Bat-and-ball, 71, 304 at Acton Burnell, 139 Beaconsfield, Lord, and Sir J. Lam- bert, 342 Bell, Fr, Francis, martyr, 323 Bellew, Fr. Luke, account of, 142 correspondence of, 142 sqq. Benedict, St., 14th centenary of, and its memorial, 240 Bennet, D. Bede : London agent, 69 no bookman, 133 Benziger, Bp. Adelrich, 329 Bicycle Club, 311 Billiards in 1682 and 1706, 70 " Black Hole " of Doullens, 109 Blennerhasset, Sir Rowland, 346, 347 Blount family and Alex. Pope, 31/ Bodenham, Charles, 73, 77, 320 Bonfire, Queen's Jubilee, 244 Books in use in school, 78 Boul^, Mons., sentiments aljout return of St. Gregory's to Douay, 145 instructed to repair Douay pre- mises, 169 Boxing, 310 Bradshaw, D. Aug., account of, 331 founds St. Gregory's, 3 founds St. Lawrence's, 15 Vicar-General of missioners, 25 on the mission, 25 Brasswork in old chapel at Down- side, 187 Bredall, Chas. Edw., 77 Brewer, Dr., calls an extraordinary chapter, 173 Brown, D. Ambrose, 39, 40 Brown, Chas., of Kiddington, 320 Brown, Dr. T. J., account of, 328 value of, to Downside, 198 helps on backward boys, 210 and the Downside Discussion, 212 becomes prior, 214 lays foundation - stone of new monastery, 234 Brown, D. Ildephonsus, prior, 231 Brown, Wm. {alias the Bull), and an escapade, 94 Bruning, family of, 19 Brussels, profession of Gregorians at, 100 Buckley, D. Maurus, 40 Buckley, D. Sigebert, last survivor of pre-Reformation monks, 2 Buildings : additions to in 1625, 9 as they were in 1769, 54 sqq. stopped by law, 59 in 1823, 183 in 1853, 221 interruption of schemes of, 173, 220 in 1873, 231 additions to in 1883, 239 Bulbeck, D. Anthony, 270, 273 Burton (Hants), St. Gregory's almost transferred there, 181 Butler, Archbishop James (H.), 325 Butler, Charles, 319 Cabinet of King's Court, 88 Cadet corps, 136, 310 Caffieri, Hector, 347 Cambridge University and Downside, 246 Canterbury, province of, 6 Captains of the School, list of, 313 Carafa, the nuncio, befriends English monks, 26 Carey, Henr}', 336 Carmen Jubilceum, 35 Carmen Panegyricum, 35 Carpentry, 311 . ;. Carteret, D. Joseph, 41 Cary, Patrick, 333 Carylls of Ladyholt and Alex. Pope, 316, 317 Catholic Magazine, 109 Catholic Miscellany on the opening of the old chapel at Downside, 188 Caverel, Philip de, promises to build a house for English monks, 26 builds St. Gregory's at Douay, 5 gives country house, 31 founds burses, 31 death of, 29 heart buried at Douay, 29 memorial tablet to, at Douay, 29 Centenary of settlement at Downside, 24, 228 352 INDEX Chandler, Br. Paul, 39 Chapel at Acton Burnell, 136 sqq. at Downside in i8i8j 178 account of, 187 account of opening of, 188 Charlton, Mr., expenses incurred over his leaving school, 83 Charterhouse School compared with St. Gregory's, 42 Chelles founded, 3 Chorley, D. Edw., 36, 39, 40 Christinas at Douay, 87 sqq, Christmas Kings, 90 Christmas Kings' Court customs, 90 Church, opening of portion of, at Downside in 1882, 239 Circular, begging, of 1817, 176 Clarke, Dom C, 273 and music, 277 Class names, old, abolished, 243 Clifford, Bp., and Downside, 226 lays foundation-stone of tower, 234 speech about the new church, 240 Cloister, East, built in 1897, 247 Cloister, Monastery, donation of, 233 "Club Day," 298 Clubs: Archaeological, 311 Bicycle, 311 Cricket, 231, 303 Harriers', 312 Natural History, 311 Cluniac system of dependence of houses, 5 Collections towards building in 1769, 56 CoUingridge, Bp., and St. Gregory s, 150 opens old chapel at Downside, 188 Colonnade or piazza at Douay, 60 Concerts, 277 Congregation, English, of St. Bene- dict, 3 revived, 5 Coombes, Dr., preaches at opening of old chapel at Downside, 189 his testimony to the work there, 218 Council book, 36 sqq. Coupe, Abraham Maurus, and Thos. Jerome, 18 Court of St. Gregory's, 88 sqq.^ 256 Cowper, Wm., and Throckmorton family, 317 Cox, D. Bede, and music, 277 Cressy, D. Serenus, 333 Life of Fr. Baker, 14 Cricket, early, at Douay, 72 Club founded at Downside, 231, 300, 303 Crowther {alias Broughton), D. Anselm, 333 Dancastles and Alex. Pope, 315, 316 Dancing, 79 Dangers of going to school in 17th cent., 10 D'Arenberg, Prince Auguste, 99 D'Arenberg, Prince Ernest Engelbert, 99. 340 Davis, Bp. Charles, 273, 329 Davis, D. Oswald, prefect, 217, 338 Davis, Professor J. P., 238 Day, Sir John, 213, 346 " Day" Greek Prize, 292 Debating societies, 286 Dependence of houses, Cluniac sys- tem of, 5 Derbaix, Mons., murder of, and dan- ger of his son, 104 Dietary in 1720, 47 in 1823, 211 of school, 239 Dieulouard (St. Lawrence's), founda- tion of, 3 Dining Hall at Downside, description of, 234 Dinners, Gregorian, 289, 292 Dolman, Chas., 341 Donahue, Bp. P., 329 Douay: sieges of, 51 permission to leave obtained, 121 disposal of property there, 172 attitude of citizens towards St. Gregory's, 143, 144 condition of buildings at, 144 left, 122 becomes factory, 169 restoration of, 165 return to, contemplated, 166 arranged for, 168 objected to, 169, 170 objections overruled, 170 return to, abandoned, 171 customs in church, 138 DouUens : Gregorians sent to, 108 horarium at, no mass in prison at, 113 353 7. INDEX Doullens : treatment at, 109 escape of prisoners from, 114, 115 petition for relaxation of rigours at, 115 departure from, 118 Downside : Abbey, 248 altar, 186 " Discussion," 212 protestant thanksgiving chapel, 214 " Magazine," 284 " Miscellany," 284 organ, 185 " Review," 283, 286 stained glass, 186, 233, 234, 247 property purchased, 151 cost of, 152 arrival at, 156 old manor house, 157 accommodation at, in 1814, 153 chapel in i8i8, 178 chapel, account of, 187 leave to build at, granted, 181 foundation-stone laid in 1820, 184 chapel brass-work, 187 chapel, account of opening. 188 half jubilee of, 214, 225 fifty years' development, 228 Drawing, 80 Dress, 46, 84, 192 Drilling, 310 Dublin Review and Downside, 219 Dunn, Archibald, architect, 231 Durrant, Geo., gives statue of St. Gregory, 223 Edmund's, St., Paris, founded, 3 numbers at, in 1700, 33 resuscitated at Douay, 172 Eldridge, Br. J., 108, 134, 137 Election riots, 242 Ellis, Bp. Philip. 327 Emancipation, Gregorians and, 320 Englefield, Edw. and Thos., 20 Englefield of Whiteknights, 316 Errington, Jos., 14 Errington, William (escapade), 94 EscapeofGregorians at Revolution, 103 Esmonde, Mrs. EUice, 81 Esmonde, Sir Thos., 320 Esquerchin, gift of, 31, 74 becomes prison of Gregorians, 106 attempted escape from, 107 Eustace, Rev. J. Chetwode, 146, 149, 340 Examinations, 46, 238 . Exhibition in 1829, 211 Eyston, Geo., 320 Farces, comedies, and minor plays, 274 Farm-buildings, Downside, 220 Farnworth, D. Cuthbert, 36 Feast, Kings', 89, 259, 263 Feinaigle, and his system of teaching, 164 Fencing, 80 Fenwick, Sir Wm., 22 Fermour family and Alex. Pope, 317 Ferris, Rev, Mr., and Douay property, 165 Finances of St. Gregory's, precarious, 37 Fire-brigade, Downside, 296 Fires at Downside, 212, 296 " First Thursday," 252 Fishing at Douay, 73 Fitzherbert, Robt., and fishing, 73 Fitzpatrick, Sir J. P., 346 Fitzwilliams, Br. Geo., 36, 39 Flanders, towns in, desirous of re- ceiving St. (Gregory's, loi Fleming, Sir F., 346 Football, 305 at Douay, 73 Mr. Pips on, 306, 308 Ford, D. Edmd., 242, 245, 246 Fortifications of Douay, plans of, 70 Foundation-stones, laying of, 57, 58, 184, 220, 234 Fowler, D. Clement, 245, 246, 273 Frankland, D. Hugh, 39 French, Hon. Chas., 346 French, Daniel, 341 Frere, D. Joseph, 35 Fursdon, D. Cuthl)ert, 334 Games, 300 minor, 309 Gascoigne, Fras, 14 defensions in philosophy, 75 Gascoigne, Sir Thos., and fishing, 73 and bees, 74 Gasquet, Abbot, 345 Introduction to Monks of the West, 4 prior, 237, 241 Sketch of the Life and Missioti of St. Benedict, 240 George HI. and French refugees, 12^ 3M INDEX Gervaise, D. George, 322 Gladstone, Mr., and Sir J. Lambert, 342 Goodrich, Mr. H. E., architect of Downside, 183 Gown, college, at Downside, 193 Grace, " W. G.," and Dr. G. F., 304 Greaves, Br. Bernard, 36 "Grecians," list of, 292 Greek prize, " Day," 292 Green, D. Thomas, 12 Greenwood, D. Gregory, 36, 167, 335 Greenwood, D. Paulinus, 13 Gregorian medal, 290 Medallists, 291 Gregorian Society, 288 Gregorians and emancipation, 320 imprisoned in Doullens, iii released, 118 embark for England, 122 and Laurentians together at Acton Burnell, 128 Gregory XVI. and Downside, 199 makes Dr. Brown a bishop, 214 Gregory's, St., library, 119, 120 organ at, 167 music at, 79, 133, 276 Queen Anne and, 52 Duke of Marlborough and, 52 besieged, 51 Court, laws of, 258 supplies master to Gateau Cam- bresis, 39 in 1720, 46 in 1736, 49 in 1769, 57 compared with London Charter- house School, 42 and St. Vedast's under one roof, 28 confirmed by Papal decree, 16 starting-point of school lost, 7 archives, fate of, 7 primarily a lay-school, 17 entertains Cardinal Howard, 35 privileges challenged, 47 boys transferred to Dieulouard, 64 collapse of school, 61, 65 admits French boys, 66 list of inmates in 1793, 103 republicans make domiciliary visit, 105 invited to settle in many towns, lOI Gregory's, St. : escape of boys at Rev- olution, 103 search for treasure at, 114 return of members to, from Doullens, 119 condition of buildings at, 144 finances precarious, 37 common house for studies, 37 numbers at, 33 at Acton Burnell, 129 scheme to unite with Ampleforth, 175 building limited in 1814, 166 chapel in 1818, 178 almost leaves Downside, 181 leave to build granted, 181 foundation-stone of 1820, 184 Dr. Baines' plans for school, 161 centenary of settlement at Down- side, 24, 228i Greig, Capt. Glennie, 304, 347 Gualterio, Cardinal, 45 Gymnastics, 310 Haberdashery and hosiery, 85 Hadleys, Edw., John, Joseph, 17 Haggerston, D. Placid, 40 Hairdressing, 86 Handball, 60, 71, 309 Hanmer (or Starkey), James, Joseph, 18 Hansom, Chas., 221 Hansom, Edward, 231 Harriers' club, 312 Harrison, D. Aug., visits Douay, 17b Harting, Edmund, 347 and the museum, 281 Harting, J. V., 343 on proposed buildings, 220 Headmasters, list of, 349 Headmastership created, 245 Helme, D. Gregory, 17 Hemsworth, D. Benedict, 36 Heron, Denis Caulfield, 343 Hesketh (or Hanson), D. Ildephonsus, 323 Hesketh, D. Joseph, 36 Hesketh, D. Jerome, protests against injustice, 37 Hesketh, D. Gregory, 17 ' ' Hi-Cockalorum ! " 73 Higginson, James, John, 19 Hippisley, Sir John Cox, and Down- side, 182 History, Natural, Club, 311 3S5 INDEX Hitchcock, D. William, adroitness i of, 51 Hodgson, Fr., and Gregorians, 109, III Holford, Peter, 125 ' Horarium in 1720, 48 about 1823, 210 I Hornyholes, 309 Hosiery and haberdashery, 85 1 Howard, Cardinal, at St. Gregory's, I 35 j Howard, D, Aug., 75, 265 ! Howard, Sir Henry, 346 j Howard, Henry, of Corby, 72, 338 Howard, Philip, of Corby, 338 Howard, D. Placid, 41 London agent, 69 Hudlestone, D. John, and Charles , II., 334 Hussey, Giles, 337 Hussey, John (of MarnhuU), esca- pade, 94 Hutton, D. Cuthbert, 18, 36 Hutton, Frank, and fishing, 73 Hutton (or Salvin), family of, 18 Inventories, 10, 32, "I spy," 307, 310 33 James H. and English Benedictines, 52, "Jaunts, ' or journeys, 93 " Jeu de paume," 60, 71 "John Inglesant " and D. Cressy, 333 "Johns," 256 Johnson, Dr., and English Benedic- tines, 84 Jones (alias Scudamore), D. Leander de Sto. Martino, 331 Journalism at Downside, 283 Journeys ; to Shepton Mallet, 261 Jubilee of Queen Victoria, 244 Jubilees of Downside, 214, 224 Jumping walks, 312 Kaye, Chas. and John, 131 Kendal, D. Nicholas, and Queen Victoria's coronation, 214 began museum, 279 Kendal, D. Richard, 77 letter of, 126 purchases Downside, 151 death of, 155 Kengelbacher, D. Bruno, 240 Kenmare, Earl of, 347 Kennedy, D. Joseph, 40 Kilkelly, Lt.-Col. Randolph, 347 Kings, of Christmastide, 90 Feast, 89, 263 Card, 282 list of, 264 Knight, D. Bede, 40 Knowles, D. Gilbert, 36, 39 Lacon, "R.," Ric, Rowland, 18 Laing-Meason, Malcolm, 343 Laity's Directory, 131 Lambert, Sir John, 342 reminiscences, 192, 206, 211 Lambspring founded, 3 numbers at, in 1700, 33 Langley, Gilbert : his school recollec- tions, 41, 75, 82, 94 Latin plays, 40 Lawrence's, St., founded, 3, 15 numbers at, in 1700, 33 and the Revolution, 128 helped by Sir E. Smythe, 128 and by St. Gregory's, 146 Lawson, family of, 21, 22 Lawson, D. Aug., prior, 155 dislikes Downside, 159 wishes to return to Douay, 159, 160 gets back Douay, 166 visits Douay, 169, 170 views on Feinaigle's system, 164 Leander, D. de Sto. Martino, on the school, 10, 331 Leo XHL and Downside, 248 Leveaux, Dom, 155, 156 Libellus Precuni, 212 Liber Graduum, 13 Library of St. Gregory's, size of, 119 fate of, 120 Petre, 281 Junior (2), 287 Sodality, 287 Subscription, 287 Literary Magazine, 285 " Longleat," 294 Lord, Simeon, 108 Lorymer, D. Michael, London agent, 69, 132 prisoner at Doullens, 108 Ludlow, suggested site for St. Gre- gory's, 146 Mabbs, D. Laurence, 324 MacDonald, D. Benedict, 339 356 INDEX Mackenna, Stephen, Theodore, 343 Magnus, Professor, examines Down- side, 238 "Manners and customs," 261, 299, 306, 307 Manning, Cardinal, and Downside, 234 Mannock, D. Anselm, 39, 337 Marbles at St. Gregory's, 72 Marcel, Abb^, and St. Gregory's, 49 Marchienne College and St. Gregory's, 7 Marck, Ernest de la, 100 Marlborough, Duke of, and St. Gre- gory's, 52 "Marriage Feasts," 293, 294 Marsh, Dr., and Downside, 181 estimate of Dr. Baines, 195 Martene, Dom, at St. Gregory's, 33 Mass in prison of Doullens, 113 Mazzinghi, Count, 189, 193 Medal, Gregorian, 290 Medallists, Gregorian, 291 Megalesia Sacra, 35 Merville, Mons., Douay architect, 57 Methods, of teaching, English and Continental, 42, 43 Meynell, Geo., Roger, 21 "Microcosm," the, 211, 284 Middleton (of Stockeld), family of, 22, 23 " Mile Road," the, 311 Minor games, 309 Mivart, Dr. St. George, and the museum, 280 Moore, D. Aug., prior, 53, 60, 338 Moore, Wm. (of Fawley), 35 Morrall, D. Aiph., priorship of, 230 Morris, Bp., 159, 169, 174, 180, 328 Mostyn, Llewellyn, 344 Mulhall, John, 347 Murphy, D. Bernard, prior, 231, 245 Museum, 278 Music, 79, 133, 276 " Natives," 255 Natural History Club, 311 Nelson, D. Thos., 39 " North-west Passage," 231 Numbers, school, 9, 32, 33, 63, 135, 207 O'Brien, Sir T. C, 304, 347 Observatory, 229, 279, 297 O'Conor Don, 1 he, 346 O'Conor, Denis, 346 O'Donoghue, The, 346 O'Ferrall, Ric. More, 342 "Officers' Feast," 259 Officials, school, in 17th cent., 36 sqq. O'Gorman, Ric, 344 Oliver, Dr. Geo., 215 Organ, 167, 185 Owen, Lewis, 8 Paien, D. Nich., gets master from St. Gregory's, 39 " Palace," 223 Parker, D. Henry, 143 Paul, C. Kegan, and Dow fi side Dis- cussion, 213 Pensions, school, 36, 46, 132, 135 Petition for relaxation of rigour, Gre- gorians', 115 Petre Library, 281 Petre, Mgr. Lord, 235, 344 Philipson, D. John, prior, 37 " Philosophers," 243 Philosophy, study of, at Douay, 76 Photography, school, 313 Piazza, or colonnade, 60 Pickering, Br. Thos., martyr, 324 Pigott, Nathaniel, and family, 336 Pigott, Geo., escapade of, 94 Pips' diary, Mr., 261, 299, 306, 307 Playroom, " old," 224 Plays, list of, 273 Latin, 40 teachers of, 273 incidents connected with, 270 Plumpton, John, Robert, 23 Pocket-money, 89, 90 Polding, Archbp., 169, 198, 212, 273, 326 " Poor Man's Catechism," 39, 337 Pope, Alexander, 315 ; and the Dancastles, 316 and the Bloiints, Carylls, Fer- mours, 317 and Nath. Pigott, 336 Powel (Morgan or Prosser), D. Philip, martyr, 324 Power, Sir John Talbot, 346 Prefect's Feast, 254 Prior Park, founded, 204 cricket matches against, 302-4 Priors, list of, 349 Provinces, ecclesiastical, 6, abohshed, 7 Provincial, title of, 6 357 INDEX •Prospectus, in 1799, 131 in 1818, 207 of examination in 1829, 211 Pugin, Augustus Welby, and Down- side, 185, 218 Pullein, D. Micliael, 39, 40 Kackett, Henry and Jolin, 315 escapade, 94 Radcliffe, D. Ralph, 106, 107 Randolph, Edmund, ^^43 " Rape of the Lock," 317 " Raven," the, 283, 285 Raynal, Aljbot, 239, 345 Records, athletic, 311 Recreation days, 251 " Rector" of the college, Douay, 12 of Downside, 245 Reeves, D. Wilfrid, 35, 36, 335 Refectory, or Dining Hall, in 1622, 10 Returns, parliamentary, about houses abroad, 33 Return to France contemplated, 139 " Review," Downside, 283, 286 Revolution, French, escape of boys during, 103 Rich, D. Francis, 39 Riddell, Bp. Arthur, 239, 329 Riddell, D. Gregory, recommended as bishop, 45 Riddell, Thos., on xhe ^atid tour, 84 Rifle-shooting, 310 Rintelin founded, 3 Road books, 158 Roberts, or de Mervinia, Ven. John, 3, 25, 322 Rounders, 309 Ruinart, Jean, 112 " Running Register" on St. Gregory's, 8 Salvin (or Hutton), family of, 18, 21, 36 Schoolbovs, arrival and departure of, 80' Scot, D. Maurus, martyr, 322 Scott, D. Dunstan, London agent, 69 Selby, family of, 21 Sharrock, D. Greg, prior, 60 bishop, 64, 328 Sharrock, D. Jerome, prior, 64 wishes to resign, 66 summoned before the Directory, bhnrrock, D. Jerome, protects Douay, 107 sent to Doullens, 108 petitions fqr relaxation of rigours, 115 writes to Lady Smythe, 128 goes to Acton Burnell, 129 views on future prospects, 129 on return to France, 140 helps Laurentians, 146 selected to be bishop, but refuses, 330 Sickness, records, of, 96-98 Singing, 79, 277 " Sir John's," 311 Skating at Douay, 73 at Downside, 310 Skelton, D. Gregory, 36 Smith, D. Cuthbert, prior, 230 Smith, F'rancis, 125 Smythe, Sir Edward, jy and marbles, 73 details about, 124 offers hospitality to Gregorians, helps St. Lawrence's, 128 conditions thereof, 129 receives militia commission, 136 and Douay customs, 138 enlarges Acton Burnell for Greg- orians, 145 death of, 150 Snow, Abbot, on the Observatory, 228 on " tucks," 293 Sod fights, 312 Sodahty of Our Lady, 265 founded, 17 refounded, 212 qualifications for admission, 267 Book, 17 Library, 287 Sodality of St. Benedict, 268 .Soldiers, British, maintenance of, at Douay, 34 Southcote, D. Thos., 36, 45 St. Malo convent founded, 3 "Stag-warning," 310 Stage at St. Gregory's, 70; 268 Stained-glass armorial, 186, 233, 234, 247 Stapylton, D. Benedict, 334- Stapylton, Dr. (ireg., 121 Stapylton, Sir Robert, 333 Starkev (Hanmer), J as. and Joseph, 18 358 INDEX Stear, D. Benedict, 41 Steevens, Jolin, 335 Stourton, D. John, 36, 39, 45, 337 Stourton, Dowager Lady, and Douay, 58 Stourton, Lord, 320 Stratton-on-the-Fosse village church, 152 Studies at Douay, 74 Study room, 223 Sumner, D. Chas., 36 Sweeney, D. Norbert, 217, 230, 343 Swimming-bath, 277 Swinburne, Wm., 20 Taaffe, Henry, 77 Tasker, Joseph Louis, 341 Taunton, Dr., on Downside dietary, 211 Taylor, D. Edmund, 36, 40 Taylor, George Paul, 346 Tennis, 71, 305 Terry, R. R., 273, 277 Theatricals, 268 Thornton, family of, 20, 21 Throckmorton and Wm. Cowper, 317 family of, 318, 319 Thuribles for Acton Burnell, 138 Tichborne, Henry, and early cricket, 72 Tottenham, Rev. Edw., 213 Tour, grand: instance of, 84 Tour through Italy, 149 Transvaal from Within, 346 Treaty of Navigation and Commerce, lOI "Tucks," 292 TurnbuU, Bernard, 347 Ullathorne, Archbp., 204, 208, 326 Universities, old, and Downside^ 246 University of London, Downside affiliated to, 215 Vaast's, St., of Arras, and buildings at Douay, 55 sqq. Vaughan, Cardinal, 249, 325 Vaughan, D. Jerome, 344 Vaughan, Archbp. R. B., 327 Victoria, Queen : accession, 214 jubilee, 244 Vigor, St., 152 Villeboisnet, Comte Henri de la, ^47 ' Vir, 255 "Voyage Littdraire," 33 Walmesley, Bp. Chas., 328 Walmesley, D., Peter, 333 Ward, Wilfrid, 345 Warwick, D. Basil, 36, 39 "Wash-house," old, 224 Watmough, D. Francis, recommend- ed for a bishopric, 45 Webb, D. Dunstan, and Joseph, 19 " Wednesday Mail," 284 Weld, Mgr. Francis, 247, 345 Whitby, D. Bernard, 39 "Wild Flowers," 285 Wilford, D. Boniface, 324 Wilson, D. Joseph Peter, 157 prior, 215 Downside under, 217 selected to be a bishop, but re- fuses, 330 Witham, Roger and William, 23 Woburn Park School, 237 Wright (of Kelvedon), John, 125 Wyburne, Henry and John, 19 Wyche, D. Joseph, 40 Wythie. D. Bernard, 40 York province, 6 York, Bp. Lawrence, 39, 40, 327 THE END. Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson &" Co. Edinburgh <5r^ London