A sore wrist prevented Brownson from writing sooner to his son. He hopes that Fifine, Henry and the baby are getting on well but since he has not heard from Fifine in same time he is afraid that his letter to her, when Henry was in Virginia, was not taken in good part. Chicago is a better place than Detroit to practise law but is by no means a better place to live, especially for a Catholic. Society, especially the Catholic society, is far less refined but if Fifine can bear it Henry should be able. Chicago copies New York and rivals it in vice and immorality. Brownson was last in Chicago in 1863 and remembers meeting a brother of Bishop William H. Elder . He had already known the Bishop's father and one brother in Baltimore, another brother in New Orleans, a fourth in Bayou Tech? and a fifth brother in St. Louis. They were all good friends of Brownson and he asks Henry to remember him to them. Brownson asks to be remembered to James Y. Scammon, a Swedenborgian and formerly a lawyer, as well as to his brother Dr. Scammon. In case Mr. Arnold, Congressman from Henry's district is at home and Henry meets him, he is to pay the compliments of his father who knew Arnold in 1862, 1863, 1864 in Washington. Henry is also to become acquainted with Fathers Rolles, Mullin, Butler, and Thierry of Ottawa, who was a real friend to Brownson when his friends were few. There are many more of the clergy he knows and esteems but he cannot recall their names or places of residence. Of Catholics, Brownson can hardly name any. If Healy, the artist, is in Chicago Henry should see him. A Miss Starr from Boston, is worth knowing. Mrs. Braxton entertained Brownson and Norris on one of his visits to Chicago, and he is very anxious to find out if this old woman is still alive. At the time Brownson visited Chicago she owned Briggs House and was a great friend of Bishop Anthony O'Regan. If alive she can give Henry a history of every body in Chicago. A cousin of Brownson, Lucius B. Delano, lives in Ottawa and while once a rich man is now a well-to-do mechanic. His daughter Cornelia visited the Brownsons once in Elizabeth. Ibray and Caulfield are the only two Catholic lawyers that Brownson knows in Chicago and both are successful. If Henry expects to go into the law business in Chicago he must make as many acquaintances as possible and not mind if some of them are in humble life. Also get acquainted with the Catholic laity through the clergy and not be too stiff with them. Henry should also get acquainted with the Germans, who form an important element in Chicago and may be worth something to him since he has lived in Germany and knows German. Father Thomas C. Foley of Baltimore is, Brownson understands, to be consecrated Bishop in partibus and to be the administrator of the Chicago diocese. Brownson knows him pretty well, but is no favorite of his. He is rather an able man, good-looking and very amiable. Henry will find him very Baltimorist and intensely Southern. Foley was higly esteemed by the late Archbishop Francis P. Kenrick, and is esteemed perhaps still more highly by Archbishop Martin John Spalding. Very Rev. Dr. Francis J. Pabisch is most likely to be Bishop of Detroit. He is a German, and a man of ability and rare learning. He belongs at present to Cincinnati, and is no doubt recommended by Archbishop John B. Purcell. Henry presumably knows the Jesuits in Chicago. If Father Michael J. Corbett is there, Henry is to remember Brownson to him. Father Arnold Damen Dahmen and C. T. Smarius were once friends of Brownson, but he supposes they have excommunicated him. Father Isaac T. Hecker has gone to the Council as procurator for Bishop Sylvester H. Rosecrans, and Father Augustine T. Hewit edits the Catholic World during his absence. Mrs. James Sadlier is likely to continue in the firm. Denis talks very amiably, and is, dating from last July, paying Brownson fifteen dollars a week instead of only $10, Brownson means Sadlier shall pay him twenty dollars next January. Brownson's book is passing through the press. The title is "Conversations on Liberalism and the Church". The Sadliers publish it. It will be out he hopes in season for the holidays. He inquires whether Henry can get it announced in the Western Catholic. If Henry does not get the Tablet, Brownson will send it to him. Mrs. Denis Sadlier and her daughter remember Henry's and Hill's visit. Denis has a very fine place in Wilton ? just beyond Harlem. Pere Hyacinth, or rather Charles Loyson, has made a fool of himself and there is little hope of his return to his obedience. He says he is a Catholic, but holds that he and Protestants all belong to the same brotherhood of faith. Brownson is afraid there is a woman in the affair. At any rate, Brownson regards him as lost. Father Hecker, his former friend, has him frightened and has become conservative, almost, if not quite, a papist. Brownson desires to know what he can do to get Henry retired. Brownson cannot go to Washington gefore his book is through the press, but asks if he should write. Orestes Brownson Jr. has become a dramatic author. Brownson is afraid his mind is disordered. He asks Henry to be as easy with him as he can. Sarah Brownson's health and temper are much improved. Henry's mother is as well as usual and sends her love to him, Fifine and the baby whom Brownson shall call Vandyke. His own health is pretty good, only he is weak in the ankles and knees. :: III-3-a A.L.S. 7 pp. 12 mo. 10