zeal, unless they were united
in a sort of individuality? Now, first, we had no unity of place. Mr.
Rose was in Suffolk, Mr. Perceval in Surrey, Mr. Keble in
Gloucestershire; Hurrell Froude had to go for his health to Barbadoes.
Mr. Palmer was indeed in Oxford; this was an important advantage, and
told well in the first months of the Movement;--but another condition,
besides that of place, was required.

A far more essential unity was that of antecedents,--a common history,
common memories, an intercourse of mind with mind in the past, and a
progress and increase in that intercourse in the present. Mr. Perceval,
to be sure, was a pupil of Mr. Keble's; but Keble, Rose, and Palmer,
represented distinct parties, or at least tempers, in the Establishment.
Mr. Palmer had many conditions of authority and influence. He was the
only really learned man among us. He understood theology as a science;
he was practised in the scholastic mode of controversial writing; and, I
believe, was as well acquainted, as he was dissatisfied, with the
Catholic schools. He was as decided in his religious views, as he was
cautious and even subtle in their expression, and gentle in their
enforcement. But he was deficient in depth; and besides, coming from a
distance, he never had really grown into an Oxford man, nor was he
generally received as such; nor had he any insight into the force of
personal influence and congeniality of thought in carrying out a
religious theory,--a condition which Froude and I considered essential
to any true success in the stand which had to be made against
Liberalism. Mr. Palmer had a certain connexion, as it may be called, in
the Establishment, consisting of high Church dignitaries, Archdeacons,
London Rectors, and the like, who belonged to what was commonly called
the high-and-dry school. They were far more opposed than even he was to
the irresponsible action of individuals. Of course their _beau ideal_ in
ecclesiastical action was a board of safe, sound, sensible men. Mr.
Palmer was their organ and representative; and he wished for a
Committee, an Association, with rules and meetings, to protect the
interests of the Church in its existing peril. He was in some measure
supported by Mr. Perceval.

I, on the other hand, had out of my own head begun the Tracts; and
these, as representing the antagonist principle of personality, were
looked upon by Mr. Palmer's friends with considerable alarm. The great
point at the ti