The English Catholics, who contributed something handsome 'to the Pope's
necessities, have received from him a very grateful answer, in which he recalls that he is the successor of that Pope Gregory the Great who first sent a mission to England, and by whose affection for the English his Holiness will not admit that his own is surpassed. " St. Gregory," he said, " is my superior in science and virtue, but as to love for England, I am equal to -St. Gregory." He had prayed to St. Gregory to suggest to him the words by which he should reply to the deputation, and possi- bly St. Gregory answered the prayer ; but if he did, the answer was common-place. The Pope had only to entreat the English 'Catholics to be at one with their bishops,—to have union and -courage. St. Gregory did not repeat (through the Pope) his kindly though not very brilliant pun on the affinities of Angli with Angeli,—English with Angels ;—probably the history of the last twelve centuries would have entirely dispelled that amiable illusion.
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