even from the most unfeeling heart, to see religion on the increase
as it is here. _Jan. 23rd._--Much of to-day, it fell out, spent in
conversation of an interesting kind, with Brandreth and Pearson on
eternal punishment; with Williams on baptism; with Churton on faith
and religion in the university; with Harrison on prophecy and the
papacy.... _Jan. 24._--Began _Essay on Saving Faith_, and wrote
thereon. _Jan. 29th._--Dined at Oriel. Conversation with Newman
chiefly on church matters.... I excuse some idleness to myself by
the fear of doing some real injury to my eyes. [After a flight of
three or four days to London, he again returns for a Sunday in
Oxford.] _Feb. 9._--Two university sermons and St. Peter's. Round
the meadows with Williams. Dined with him, common room. Tea and a
pleasant conversation with Harrison. Began _Chrysostom de
Sacerdotio_, and Cecil's _Friendly Visit_. [Then he goes back to
town for the rest of the session.] _Feb. 12, London._--Finished
_Friendly Visit_, beautiful little book. Finished Tennyson's poems.
Wrote a paper on [Greek: ethike pistis] in poetry. Recollections of Robert
Hall. _13th._--With Doyle, long and solemn conversation on the
doctrine of the Trinity.... Began Wardlaw's _Christian Ethics._
_26th, London._--A busy day, yet of little palpable profit.... Read
two important Demerara papers.... Rode. At the levee. House 51/2 -
11. Wished to speak, but deterred by the extremely ill disposition
to hear. Much sickened by their unfairness in the judicial
character, more still at my own wretched feebleness and fears.
_April 1._--Dined at Sir R. Peel's. Herries, Sir G. Murray,
Chantrey, etc. Sir R. Peel very kind in his manner to us. _May
29._--Mignet's _Introduction_ [to 'the History of the Spanish
succession,' one of the masterpieces of historical literature].
_June 4._--Bruce to breakfast. Paper. Mignet and analysis. Burke.
Harvey committee.[61] Ancient music concert. Dined at Lincoln's
Inn. House 111/4-123/4. Rode. _June 6._--_Paradise Lost._ Began
Leibnitz's _Tentamina Theodiceae_. _June 11._--Read Pitt's speeches
on the Union in January, 1799, and Grattan on Catholic petition in
1805. _15th._--Read some passages in the latter part of _Corinne_,
which always work strongly on me. _18th._--Coming home to dine,
found