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 compactness will add to the effect and influence of our writings more than anything else, and I think that we three would get on famously together. An increase of numbers would, I fear, introduce a considerable risk of disagreement or at least a certain indefiniteness and vagueness of opinion which would be ruinous. As to Ward's refusal, provided he continues to wish us well, I regret it only because I fear it will prevent the increase in the size of the Rambler which you proposed. I strongly doubt whether the scholastic formal theology of Ward and others, pace Dr Todd, is what is wanted in our time. In the only country where there is great intellectual activity joined to great learning, in Germany, Catholic theology has taken a different line and with wonderful fruit. The adversaries of religion in England are the disciples of its adversaries in Germany, and I conceive that Catholic divines here cannot do better than follow the example of those who have so successfully combated every form of error in the country where the van is of the great fight. I am not disposed to accept the paradox about the necessity of ignorance in England, and I think any man so much inclined to despair and give up the con- test is better out of the Rambler. But he [Ward] is a good fellow, and might still be made to render good service.

You see that I speak with the confidence and openness of an old friend. The confidence you have placed in me makes it incumbent upon me to tell you my