Brownson's letter of the 5th went astray and has just arrived. Had it reached Wolff earlier, it would have saved him from troubling Brownson with several superflous letters. He thanks him for the card to the Congress. He entirely agrees with Brownson's idea of the desirability of having a really lay Congress and sympathizes with him in his disappointment, owing to the fact that bishops take in its preliminary arrangements and in the Congress will prevent its making the impression on the non-Catholics which otherwise it would. But while the Catholic laity as a body are worthy of being trusted by the ecclesiastical authorities, yet there are among them some very rash and restless spirits who force themselves to the front and care little whether their speeches and actions are prudent or imprudent, provided they can make themselves prominent. Wolff is inclined to think that the danger that this might occur, and the success of this first attempt to a Catholic Congress in this country might thus be wrecked, Justifies the precautions that have been taken. In a future Catholic Congress it will not be necessary to give such prominence to episcopal supervision and advice. Brownson will be able to congratulate himself on the results of this Congress for good and not the least of which will be its preparing the way for future Catholic Congresses. :: III-3-c A.L.S. 2 pp. 8 vo.