Brownson's note got mislaid in the rush of things. Ward will be glad to give his best attention in the Herald to the Life of Columbus when it reaches him. The Transcript and the Literary World, both of Boston, should have copies of the book, which would be likely to receive appreciative notices. Ward agrees about the necessity of religious instruction in the public schools, but it is hard to bring about. Boston is in the hotbed of the discussion, and Ward is not allowed to write on the subject in the Herald. The policy is that the public schools are state schools and that the state is not appointed to teach religion. Many Catholics, as well as Protestants, are not satisfied—and Ward is not, but he does not see the way out. The several religious parties show no disposition to come to agreement, and here the Roman Church stands as a menace on the one hand and the Protestants of the extreme sort are constantly spoiling for a fight on the other. Ward hopes Brownson is making headway with the Life of his father Orestes A. Brownson. Father Walter Elliot, C.S.P. is doing well in writing the Life of Father Isaao T. Hecker and Brownson's father frequently crosses his path. Ward's wife and daughter wish to be remembered to Brownson, and his daughter Mary is now his emanuensis. He met Archbishop John Ireland recently in Boston and was much pleased with him. He also had a long talk with James Cardinal Gibbons in Baltimore last spring on soon church matters. He hopes he will soon have the pleasure of entertaining Brownson. :: III-3-d A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.