ABSTRACT

the roman catholic converts of the 1840s faced immediate problems both practical and psychological. Some had to give up their Anglican livings and find alternate means of livelihood. Some enrolled in Catholic seminaries, but for many the priesthood was barred because they were married. These practical difficulties, added to the sense of being adrift in a new world, tended to strengthen the ties of mutual understanding and, in spite of Wiseman’s best efforts, to set them apart from their new co-religionists. There was, however, an additional source of distress: most of them were graduates of one or the other of the great universities and found themselves thrown among men of inferior education, and, indeed, often under their tutelage. The founding of the Rambler may be viewed as an attempt to bolster their spirits in a time of disillusionment. J. M. Capes wrote to Newman in July 1846 of plans for establishing a magazine: “We should write for the present condition of the English mind, entering into all subjects of literary, philosophic and moral interest, treating them as a person would do who believes Catholicism to be the only true religion.” 1 This sounded innocent enough, and indeed was so intended, but Newman with remarkable prescience foresaw danger in a periodical “being written by converts only or principally,” and immediately warned of “collisions with old Catholics.” 2