“Dear Sir,
“Your note needs no apology—I believe the facts of these unhappy secessions to Rome, to be far more fatal to the Evangelical party, than I at all implied. I am not able to give you a list of the ascertainable and presentable names of Converts, though I am anxious to get it. My belief is, that a very large majority had received a very unsound religious education among the Low Church people (and some among Dissenters), and embraced Popery, in consequence of having no thorough hold on the principles of their own Church.
“Whether in their progress towards Popery, they travelled through our territory as travellers, and not as dwellers, or natives, does not seem very important to me.
“I know that some have gone straight from a Dissenting Chapel to Popery; one case in particular has been brought to my notice; but I do not wish to cast stones at others, on account of these things. I only said what I did, in consequence of the accidental remark of the speaker, and if I annoyed you, I am sorry for it.
“Believe me,
“Faithfully yours,
(Signed) “WILLIAM J. IRONS.
“To Arthur Ellis, Esq., R.N.
“P.S. Mr. Sibthorp was a very low Churchman, Mr. Newman was brought up an Evangelical, and Mr. Pownall’s son, and Mr. Capes. If I get a list I will send it to you. Mr. Capes preached very strongly in my former neighbourhood against High Churchmen, and I said at the time, it is he that is in danger of Popery, and not I.”
“19, Alfred Place West,
“12th December, 1850.
“Sir,