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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

The present volume of the English Catholic Library introduces to modern readers a treatise by Sir Thomas More, “one of the ornaments of the English nation, one of the wisest, best, and most religious of mankind.”[1] We say introduce, because, with the exception of his most notable Utopia, the works of that eminent martyr are known, save by name, to very few of his countrymen. Whether this has arisen from the cold and depressing influence of a system antagonistic to that faith of which he testified; or whether, from his name being so tragically incorporated with the great historical events of the sixteenth century, all attention to his writings has been absorbed in the contemplation of the man; is a question on which it is needless to speculate. Let us hope that the improving spirit of the present age will repair this disgraceful neglect; and that ere long a complete and satisfactory edition of the works of Sir Thomas More will be as rife and familiar on our shelves as those of Shakspeare and Bacon.

The biography of the virtuous Chancellor requires not to be penned by us anew. The Life by his great-grandson Cresacre, so ably edited by the learned and acute Mr. Hunter, is one of the most charming compositions in that department of literature; and in point of fidelity

and interest is only equalled by that of Wolsey, which

a

  1. ↑ Rev. J. Hunter, South Yorkshire, i. 374.
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