Brownson, thanks Henry for his letter and is very happy about the fine condition of his health. Fifine was given a full account of Brownson's illness and although he is still improving, nevertheless, his knee and ankle joints are still weak. Grant and Colfax got through although the Democrats made large gains in the House of Representatives. This is a good condition inasmuch it will hold the extreme radicals in check and at the same time not impede legislation but restrain Congressional extravagance. Grant will make a good President but will probably be unable to check the evils in Southern Society. Many in the South kill a negro as they do a dog and Brownson is of the opinion that Grant can do little. Brownson's sickness has worn out his wife and this has been the reason why she hesitated having visitors but since her husband is well once again Henry and Fifine are urged to pay them a visit and to stay as long as they wish. They are told to shape their travel so as not to inconvenience Fifine and Brownson's anxiety is so great that he cannot avoid calling Henry's attention to the necessity of proper timing in connection with the journey. Brownson meant to tell Fifine in his letter to her that it was very hard of the Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere to place her brother Barnest Van Dyke, a delicate priest, on so laborious a mission. It may be a gain to a good priest to die, but it is not quite right for his Bishop to hasten his death by being indifferent to health. A Bishop should be a tender and considerate father to his clergy, but the majority of those Brownson has known have contented themselves with being their lords or masters. Brownson thinks it would be well if our bishops could forget that bishops were once secular princes and temporal lords. The Revolution in Spain breaks up the last wreck of the medieval system and the Church is now thrown back on her own resources as a spiritual kingdom placed in the midst of a hostile world. She has to convert the nations a new to the faith and the proper models for her pastors are those who lived and labored before she had gained a political status. The fewer reminiscences they retain of a secular principality and the more deeply they are impressed with the fact that they are fathers not lords, the more successful will be their missions. Brownson is growing less tolerant of European liberalism each day; he has lost his hostility to the Jesuits and has become quite reconciled to monasticism. The Jesuits and religious are the first that liberals attack on coming to power and this tells Brownson the whole story. Father Isaac Hecker and Brownson have quarrelled but the former has asked Brownson to write again for the Catholic World which he will do if his health permits. Brownson will write two articles for him soon to meet the expenses of his sickness but is afraid that he can never labor again as before. Most unwillingly comes his admission of growing old. Henry is urged to visit him as soon as possible and he is asked to give Brownson's tender regards to his daughter in return for her love. :: III-3-a A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.