CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Introductory Observations — Biography — Summary of Dr. Weedall's Career and Character — His Birth and Early Years — He is sent to School at Sedgley Park — His Character there — His Ode on Sedgley Park 1

CHAPTER II.

Removal from Sedgley Park — History of the Mission of Oscott — Commencement of an Ecclesiastical Seminary there — Beginning of the College at Oscott — Its first Church Students — Weedall's Arrival at Oscott — Other Arrivals — Humble Ceremonial in the Chapel 16

CHAPTER III.

The "New Government" — St. Mary's College, Oscott — Its Superiors — The "Laura" Built — WeedalFs Talents — Drawback from Weakness of his Eyes — The Repository — WeedalFs Excellence in Various Games — Also as a Teacher — Conferences — Prones — Chapel Services — Vestments — Organ — Choir 32

CHAPTER IV.

Mr. Weedall Studies Theology under Mr. Potts — He is Initiated in Holy Orders — Gives Catechetical Instruction to the Children in the Poor School in Birmingham — His Poetry — His Controversy with Cobbett — Is Ordained Priest — His First Mass — First Printed Sermon — Other Exercises of the Holy Ministry 53

CHAPTER V.

Mr. Weedall's Class in Rhetoric — Christmas Exhibition — His Amanuensis — Controversy in the M Orthodox Journal" — Mr. Potts Disabled by Paralysis — Changes in consequence in the College - Mr. Weedall's Occasional Priestly Duties — Sermon at St. Chad's — Events at Oscott — Exhibition Room 74

CHAPTER VI.

Mr. Weedall's Sermon at Sheffield — Decline of Mr. Quick's Health — Mr. Weedall Officiates on Sundays at Vespers — His Catechetical Lectures — Sermon at Liverpool — Death of Mr. Quick — Mr. Weedall becomes Vice - President, Professor of Theology, and Spiritual Director 91

CHAPTER VII.

Mr. Weedall as Professor of Divinity — As Spiritual Director — Death of Mr. Potts — His Funeral — Mr. Weedall's Discourse on the Occasion 104

CHAPTER VIII.

Mr. Weedall meets Dr. Parr at Dinner — Purchase of Holdford Farm — His Turn for Farming — Instance of hu Affection and Kindness — Of his Moderation and Considerateness — Eloquent and Impressive Passage Introduced in one of his Homilies — Mr. Weedall as Prefect of Studies — His Editions of the Douay Grammar 113.

CHAPTER IX.

Mr. Weedall made Acting President of the College — Gives up the Spiritual Care of Students and Congregation — Continues Professor of Divinity and Prefect of Studies — Death of John Payne — Mr. Weedall's Sermon at his Funeral — His Inscription for the Monument — His Extensive Reading — Consecration of Bishop Walsh — Dr. Weedall's Sermon on the Occasion — Sermon at the Opening of the Chapel at Northampton — Vist to Weston Underwood 124

CHAPTER X.

Death of Bishop Milner — Bishop Walsh leaves Oscott — Mr. Weedall President — Chosen a Canon of the English Chapter — Made Vicar General — Handsome Present brought him by a Deputation from the Catholics of Birmingham — His Sermons at the Opening of New Chapels at Wolverhampton and Nottingham — His Health seriously Impaired — Receives his Diploma of DD. — His Installation at the College — His Visit to O'Connell in Birmingham — Letter to the Editor of the " Birmingham Journal" — His Letter to the Editor of the " Catholic Journal" — His Health Improved 141

CHAPTER XI.

Dr. Weedall's Health Seriously Impaired — Retires for a little Excursion - Makes a Tour on the Continent — Mr. Foley President in his Absence — Dr. W.'s Visits to Rome uid Naples — Letters on the Miracle of St. Januarius — His Return to Oscott — Sermons at the Openings of Chapels at West Bromwich and Grantham — Pastoral written by him on Collections for the District Fund — Chapel Openings at Bilston, Lichfield, and Sutton Coldfield 160

CHAPTER XII.

Necessity of a New College — The Building Commenced — Pastoral for Collections written by Dr. Weedall — His active Superintendence of the New Building — First Stone of the New Chapel Laid — Bishop Walsh's Journey to Rome — Circular of Dr. Weedall as V. G. on the New Marriage Act — Blessing of the Chapel Bell — Dr. Weedall's Address on the Occasion — Consecration and Opening of the New Chapel — Dr. Weedall's Sermon on the Day of Opening 176

CHAPTER XIII.

First Procession of Corpus Christi at the New College — Dr. Weedall's Sermon on the Occasion — Bishop Milner's Supposed Vision in Dr. Newman's Sermon — Situation of the New Building — The "Beggar's Bush" — Dr. Weedall's New Arrangements — Sermon on the Assumption — State of the Old College — Mr. Foley opens it as a Preparatory School — The Marini library — The College associated to the London University — Presents to the College — Its Prosperity and Fair Prospects 192

CHAPTER XIV.

Dr. Weedall meets with Severe Trials — Is unexpectedly Appointed a Bishop — His Distress of Mind in consequence — Determines to go to Rome to Seek a Release from the Appointment — His Farewell Address on Leaving Oscott — Stops at Lucca — Dr. Baines' Conversation with the Pope, and Success in Dr. Weedall's Behalf — He Goes to Rome — His Letters from Rome detailing the whole Progress of His Affair — His Memorial to Propaganda 202

CHAPTER XV.

Dr. Weedall Presented to the Pope — Uncertainty of His Future Position - Offers Made to Him — Remains in Rome till the end of Spring — Returns to England — Visits Cossey and Oxburgh — Goes to Reside at Old Oscott — Is Invited to Remove to the Eastern District — Relieves and Succeeds Mr. Foley at Hampton - on - the - Hill — Undertakes the Mission at Leamington 219

CHAPTER XVI.

Dr. Weedall on the Mission at Leamington — His Difficulties, Duties, and Habits there — Sermon on Fasting — Decoration of His Chapel — His Converts — Sermon at Northampton — Sermon at Leamington on Confession — Newspaper Correspondence entailed by it — His Address to the Choir — His General Character as a Missioner 281

CHAPTER XVII.

Dr. Weedall's Address at the Instalment of Bishop Ullathorne — He is called to St Chad's, Birmingham, and made Vicar General and Dean of the Cathedral — His Funeral Sermon on Bishop Walsh — He Retires to Handsworth — His Sermon at the Funeral of Lady Throckmorton - Funeral of Dr. Kirk — Dr. Weedall's Memoir of Him — Dr. Weedall appointed Provost of Birmingham — Assists at the First Council of Westminster — Accompanies Bishop Errington on his Visitation — Meets with an Accident — Death of John, Earl of Shrewsbury — Dr. Weedall's Funeral Oration over Him — Death of Earl Bertram, his Successor 247

CHAPTER XVIII.

Dr. Weedall is Reinstated as President of Oscott College — Serious Attack of Illness — Is made a Domestic Prelate of His Holiness — His Letter of Thanks to the Pope — Celebration of this Event, together with his Jubilee 266

CHAPTER XIX.

Dr. Weedall's Active Labours in the College — Exhibition at Midsummer, 1854 — Festival on the Feast of St. Cecily — Proposal to Erect an Academic Hall — Dr. Weedall's Visit to the Manchester Exhibition — Dangerous Illness in Lent, 1859 — Partial Recovery — Visit to Malvern — Return to Oscott — Last Sickness — Death — Funeral — Proposed Chantry to his Memory 285

CHAPTER XX.

Dr. Weedall's Personal Appearance, Physical Qualities, and Habits — Mental Qualities — Tastes — Love of Reading — Neglect of Correspondence — His Cheerfulness and Wit — His Qualities as President — Instances of Benevolence — His Talents and Peculiarities as a Preacher — His Great Virtues — Conclusion 298