Cardinal Hinsley receives honorary degree of Doctor of Civil Law at 'Oxford

J. G. Barrington-Ward, M.A., Public Orator, made the following speech (In Latin) at the ceremony:
The bestowal of honours on the most illustrious leaders both of Church and State has always beer, a joy to us. But on none, I think, have we bAstowed th,411 more gladly than on those Who, holding the highest place in dignity, have never ceased both to keep their own gaze fixed on the greatest and noblest realities and to make these known to others. For who can better hold office either in State or Church than he who first manifests in himself and then presents for our mutation the plan proceeding from the Divine Mind, impelling to right action and retitraining from evil? To-day. therefore. how much longer will you hesitate before conferring the highest degree honoris causa which it is in your power to give? For here you have a man raised to so great eminence, whom you know to have been outstanding during the time of war among his fellow-leaders and teachers, not only of his own Church but also of the whole State, continually and with all his power sustaining and helping the most ancient of all causes, that of liberty and humanity. When he has castigated the malice and injustice of enemies, he has done this always with such gravity and moderation of
language that he has' never appeared to he puffed up with an exaggerated love for his country. And when he has been strengthening and exhorting the minds of the pimple, his words have been directed to making them consider the greater and more sublime things rather than side-issues and matters of little moment.
Why should you hesitate longer? Do you ask about his virtue? What more do you require of him? Before he reached the highest Vivify, in the course of a lime and honourable life, he taught Catholic young men an the schools of his own country, he guided the destinies of the English College at Rome, and lastly carried out an Apostolic mission to the natives in Africa. Already HUM as master, as rector, as legate, he both diligently observed himself Maio same precepts of virtue and justice and, with the utmost fidelity; by word and example, enjoined them on others, present to you therefore the most eminent man. Arthur Hinsley, Cardinal, Archbishop of Westminster, truest leader of his Church as of his country, interpreter and exemplar of the British spirit, so that he may be granted our highest title and admitted honoris causa to the degree of Doctor in Civil Law.