Pugin’s Illustrations of Newman’s Lives of the English Saints

 From NINS:

Two major pieces of literature on Augustus Welby Pugin (1812–1852), the renowned Gothic Revivalist and Catholic convert who designed Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, six cathedrals, and more, state, in summary fashion, that Pugin illustrated St John Henry Newman’s Live of the English Saints.[1] The late Professor Margaret Belcher, however, provided a great deal of detail on this subject in the second volume of her The Collected Letters of A.W.N. Pugin, published in 2003.[2] This essay republishes, for the first time since 1914, all eleven of Pugin’s illustrations[3] and does so for the first time ever in a single document.[4]

The period in question is mid 1842 through the end of 1844.[5] During this time, Pugin was, among other things, doing his typical traveling (Scotland, Ireland, and the Continent),[6] worked on his home in Ramsgate,[7] and on several churches, including three cathedrals.[8] He also published An Apology for the Revival of Christian Architecture in England (1843) and Glossary of Ecclesiastical Ornament and Costume (1844).[9] For his part during this time, Newman (1801–1890) was in the throes of converting to Catholicism and had relocated from Oxford to Littlemore, a few miles away, in February 1842.[10] Among other things, he was busy drafting An Essay on The Development of Christine Doctrine (1845).

With respect to Newman’s Lives of the English Saints, the first thing to notice is that any and all illustrations were by Pugin, no one else, and they were not attributed to anyone at the time of original publication. Second, Newman himself may not have written any of the Lives.[11] He edited the first two numbers: St Stephen Harding and St Richard.[12] The introduction to the 1900 edition, the first comprehensive edition, stated that the work is described as Newman’s because he initiated the effort.[13]

Here is how the work came about: Newman’s thoughts on the subject started at least as early as 4 April 1841, when he wrote to his friend, J.W. Bowden, about English saints, the “National Church,” and the desirability of someone writing a biography of St Anselm (1033/34–1109).[14] In the summer of 1842, Newman had a conversation with publisher James Toovey about “publishing the Lives of the [English] Saints … thinking it would be useful, as employing the minds of persons who were in danger of running wild, and bringing them from doctrine to history, from speculation to fact; again, as giving them an interest in the English soil and English church, and keeping them from seeking sympathy in Rome as she is”.[15] On 3 April 1843, almost precisely two years since Newman had first written Bowden on the subject, he wrote Bowden again, stating that he intended the work “to be historical and devotional, but not controversial.”[16]

As of 18 May 1843, “Many men are setting to work [researching and writing biographies].”[17] There were 30 such men. A few months later, in early fall of 1843, Newman published a prospectus describing the anticipated Lives.[18] He envisioned a monthly publication written by various authors, each writing independently of the others.[19] He identified 300 saints![20]

At some point in 1843, Newman asked J. R. Bloxam, previously a curate to Newman, to find out from Pugin what he wanted to do about illustrations for Saints Stephen and Richard.[21] Pugin initially declined the work.[22]

In late 1843, Anglican Father and Oxford Professor E. B. Pusey saw some pre-publication proofs of the first Life, that of St Stephen Harding, by J. D. Dalgairns who lived in community with Newman at Littlemore. Pusey’s objections to these proofs caused Newman great anxiety. Newman had wanted the Lives to present facts with total detachment but realized that “miracles, or monkery [monasticism], or popery”[23] would unavoidably seep in. Newman consulted James Hope, a young barrister and William Gladstone, then a Member of Parliament (and future Prime Minister), both of whom shared Pusey’s concerns.[24]

By December, Newman decided to withdraw from the project but desired that individual biographies, many of them in process, would be published one at a time and that enough of them would eventually constitute a series.[25] As soon as the first, on St Stephen, came into print, it was clear that the project of publishing lives of English saints was incompatible with Anglicanism.[26] After the second biography (of St Richard[27]) was published, Newman gave public notice in January 1844 that he was withdrawing as editor.[28] He declared that only those biographies completed or nearly completed would be subsequently published.[29]

There was a flurry of correspondence—28 letters identified and summarized by Belcher—between Pugin, Newman, Toovey, and the new editor Frederick Oakeley (then minister at Margaret Chapel, the predecessor of All Saints, Margaret Street, and the author of the draft life of St Augustine of Canterbury) from the last half of January through November 1844, some of which may have crossed in the mail. The subjects included employing Pugin to illustrate individual lives as well as the design of a “Wrapper,” or frontispiece, that is, a title-page illustration that would be used for every number in the series, Pugin’s fees, the colors of the illustrations, the status of the work of the engraver, Orlando Jewitt, and comments on Pugin’s illustrations. For example, Toovey wrote Newman on February 9 that Pugin had supplied a “beautiful” design for St Augustine.[30] (Read more.)

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The Triad of Power

 From Tierney's Real News:

Once you put the numbers side by side, you immediately understand why so many mainstream commentators, corporate institutions, and online influencers default to the European Union’s framing or soft-pedal Communist China. The European Union (EU) offers a comforting vocabulary of “rules,” “values,” and managed decline. It flatters an entire class of credentialed professionals who prefer process over outcomes.

Communist China (CCP) offers massive scale, deep pockets, and the quiet promise that American primacy is fading anyway—so the smart play is to hedge, compromise, and accommodate.

Both of these narratives let people sound incredibly sophisticated while ignoring the exact same set of undeniable facts: the United States still holds the largest nominal economy, the highest individual productivity, and the only military capable of projecting devastating power at a distance. The other two blocs know this. They are actively trying to close those gaps on their own terms.

The deeper conflict isn’t just about territory; it is about what the world should actually look like. (Read more.)

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The Knightly Virtues

 From Return to Order:

The Code of Chivalry cannot be assimilated to the Decalogue in the Old Testament consecrated by the New Law, popularized by the Church, a truly divine and universal covenant for all centuries, and adapted to all nations. The rules for the use of knights are necessarily of a more restricted and of a more special character than the sacred Commandments. We will give a striking example. “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” says the sacred text. “Thou shalt keep thy word,” adds the commentator of the Middle Ages. The difference is easily perceived.

It is just the same as regards the precepts and evangelical counsel, and it is not worthwhile to pause and find them word for word in the decalogue of chivalry. It is certain (and here again we wish to take a decisive illustration) that chastity is more than once advised in our old poems to Christian soldiers. Elias of Saint-Gilles expressly enjoined this virtue on his son, and the author of the Ordene de Chevalerie, of that almost mystic work, is as stern and rigorous on the subject as a preacher, and advises the knights to keep themselves pure. This is as it should be, and we have nothing but admiration for those who repulsed energetically any temptations, whether from Saracens or Christians. (Read more.)

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An Irish Halloween

The picture above was painted by Irish artist Daniel Maclise in 1833, inspired by a typical Irish Halloween party. (Click on picture for details.) It was called "snap-apple night." Here is the caption which accompanied the painting:

There Peggy was dancing with Dan/While Maureen the lead was melting,/To prove how their fortunes ran/With the Cards ould Nancy dealt in;/There was Kate, and her sweet-heart Will,/In nuts their true-love burning,/And poor Norah, though smiling still/She'd missed the snap-apple turning.

For the ancient Celts, November 1 was Samhain, their New Year's day. It is not necessary to detail some of the more gruesome pagan customs which accompanied the festivities in pre-Christian times, customs which eventually disappeared as the Faith spread and took hold. Nevertheless, on a more positive note, the Celts believed that on the day in question the veil between the worlds grew thin, and one could easily pass from world to world, from time into eternity.

As Christians, in celebrating the Solemnity of All Saints, the sacred liturgy permits us to glimpse the place where the blessed ones dwell in light. We are led to think of all the dead, of the awe-inspiring realties of death, judgment, heaven and hell. On All Souls' Day we recall those who are still undergoing purgation in the realm beyond time. We, too, through the Mass and through prayer, pass from world to world, for all are present to God.

Here is an article (via A Conservative Blog for Peace) which elucidates on the history of All Hallows' Eve, the pagan versus Christian aspects and how the Irish, French, Germans, and English brought it all to North America. To quote:

Halloween can still serve the purpose of reminding us about Hell and how to avoid it. Halloween is also a day to prepare us to remember those who have gone before us in Faith, those already in Heaven and those still suffering in Purgatory. The next time someone claims Halloween is a cruel trick to lure our children into devil worship, I suggest you tell them the real origin of Halloween and let them know about its Catholic roots and significance. (By Fr Scott Archer)

 More on Irish Halloween traditions HERE.

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Iran Tried to Hold the World’s Oil Hostage

 From Tierney's Real News:

The fake news and the political hacks in Washington are running their usual playbook. They are overreacting about short-term gas prices, calling the White House reckless over Iran, and worrying about low oil stocks.

They are missing the bigger picture.

Alexander Muse just wrote a strong summary titled “Trump Was Right to Take On Iran, and Two Years of Refilling Oil Tanks Is a Bargain.” Muse correctly pointed out that what Trump is doing with Iran is justified, well-timed, and a good deal for Americans. This is not only about stopping a dangerous regime. It is Trump making a smart move to keep America strong for the next fifty years.

1. Defeating Iran’s Financial Warfare: Starving the Beast

For years, past presidents and Washington experts tried to “contain” Iran with weak talks or piles of cash. Meanwhile, the Iranian leaders and their military used oil money and blackmail proceeds to fund themselves, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi terrorists. Trump changed the approach.

By fully blocking Iran’s oil, its crude exports have basically stopped. Shipping trackers show almost no Iranian oil leaving through the Strait of Hormuz since September. No successful shipments have gotten through the blockade. CENTCOM says the operation has already blocked about $25 billion in oil revenue for Iran. Cutting off the money does what years of limited fights could not: it starves the regime’s allies and stops it from building missiles and drones that threaten American friends and ships.

Stopping a dangerous regime by cutting its money is just as effective as stopping it in a fight. (Read more.)

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The Masculinity Paradox

 From Unlicensed Punditry:

What follows is opinion and theory, but something that I think worth considering.

Unarguably, there is a peculiar contradiction developing across the Western world, and I have been turning over a theory that may explain at least part of it. For decades, Western feminism has treated traditional masculinity as a problem to be solved. Men were too aggressive, too competitive, too dominant, too protective, too determined to lead. The solution was supposedly to make men less masculine, to dismantle traditional expectations of male authority, and to construct a society in which distinctions between the sexes became increasingly irrelevant. Yet at precisely the moment Western civilization began congratulating itself for taming its men, it also began embracing large-scale migration from societies where traditional male authority remains considerably more pronounced. Perhaps these developments are entirely unrelated. Perhaps not.

The first step in understanding this contradiction is recognizing that equality and sameness are not interchangeable concepts. Men and women possess equal human worth and should enjoy equal protection under the law, but they are not biologically identical, nor are their average dispositions, preferences, and physical capabilities identical. Rather than accepting those differences, progressive ideology increasingly demanded that society compensate for them. Equality of opportunity gave way to equity of outcomes, and equity required intervention. Where men predominated, the presumption increasingly became that something discriminatory had occurred. Masculinity itself became suspect, particularly when expressed through leadership, competition, assertiveness, or the traditional obligation to protect women.

Western men responded in different ways. Some resisted, some adapted, and others simply withdrew. Generations of boys were increasingly taught that the characteristics once associated with responsible manhood were potentially toxic. The ideal man became less assertive, less confrontational, less traditionally masculine, and more deferential to female expectations. Meanwhile, women acquired unprecedented educational, professional, political, and economic influence. None of that necessarily required diminishing men, but influential strands of modern feminism often seemed unable to celebrate female achievement without treating traditional male authority as an obstacle to be overcome. (Read more.)

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Dragons and Other Monsters

 
From Smithsonian:

The dragon resting on its golden hoard. The gallant knight charging to rescue the maiden from the scaly beast. These are images long associated with the European Middle Ages, yet most (all) medieval people went their whole lives without meeting even a single winged, fire-breathing behemoth. Dragons and other monsters, nights dark and full of terror, lurked largely in the domain of stories—tales, filtered through the intervening centuries and our own interests, that remain with us today.

As Halloween approaches, we’re naturally thinking about scary stories. Though horror today is most often about entertainment—the thrill of the jump scare or the suspense of the thriller—it hasn’t always been that way. In the European Middle Ages, monster stories served as religious teaching tools, offering examples of what not to do, manifestations of the threats posed by the supernatural and the diabolical, and metaphors for the evil humans do to one another. (Read more.)

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Four Fake Polling Firms Rigged the 2026 Primaries

 From The Enterprise:

A voter who already suspects the polls are rigged against him will not be surprised by a bogus 22-point deficit. It will discourage him, and a discouraged voter stays home. In a primary, a fake poll ends candidacies, while in a general election it drains turnout from exactly the voters who had learned to distrust the polls in the first place.

Pollster Nate Silver insists the damage was small, and he has a number to back him up. Pulling Wedgewood out of his Michigan average moved El-Sayed’s lead by 0.6 points, from 3.6 to 3.0. The figure is accurate and also beside the point, since the average was never what the forgers were aiming at. The donor was. So was the reporter who asked McMorrow when she planned to drop out.

Deleting a fraudulent poll from an average cannot undo the campaign decisions and public perceptions it helped create. McMorrow cannot un-withdraw. Crowley’s donors cannot get back the week they spent hedging, and no correction on a polling tracker returns the money a Mississippi Democrat raised on a lie. Real money changed hands, real decisions were made, real markets moved, and harm like that is exactly what criminal law exists to address. (Read more.)

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Nostalgia Is the Past Made Powerless

 From The Wardrobe Door:

Any TV show or movie that was remotely popular in previous decades is being rebooted, remade and re-marketed to old and new fans. An IMDb list highlights upcoming sequels, prequels, remakes and spinoffs. It currently sits at 426 projects in some stage of development.

Of the top 10 domestic grossing movies of 2025, four were sequels, two were live-action versions of animated movies, two were adapting some of the most iconic comic book characters of all time, and one was a video game adaptation. Only one was an original movie. Many of the same types of movies are dominating the 2026 box office so far.

Filmmakers and studios assume, most often rightly, that someone who grew up watching a character will pay to see them again, even though significant time has passed and there’s no guarantee it will live up to the previous incarnation.

But why do we buy the tickets? Why are we not clamoring, as we do in most other avenues of life, for something new? Why is nostalgia ruling our entertainment?

It’s the only place we feel it’s safe to allow the past to visit the present. (Read more.)

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