Clerical error: a true story.
Robert Blair Kaiser
Continuum, New York, 2003

Copy of letter from Fr Fergal McGrath SJ to Fr Anthony Bischoff SJ concerning the books, following a recent inquiry about them from Dr James Cotter, New York. ‘I gave you the news that I had found five (probably seven) of the books used or annotated by G.M Hopkins, which you so painstakingly located in 1947. You had mentioned that you had found fifteen to twenty such books. I sent you a list of all the books which I had found in the same cupboard, and asked you to let me know whether you could establish a link between any of them and Hopkins. If my letter went astray, I shall be glad to make another copy of the list.’

Correspondence between the Vice-Provincial, Mr Andrew MacErlean (brother of Fr John MacErlean SJ) and J.F. MacCarthy (New York Art Dealer) relating to the shipment of a painting by Mr MacCarthy to the Provincial. The painting is by Sir Thomas Thorpe/Sharpe of London and is thought to be entitled ‘The First College of Dublin’, although there is some confusion over the correct title. The painting thought in Dublin to be of poor quality and incorrect title.

A file relating to Fr William Lockington's collecting/fund-raising tour to the United States of America. A full explanation of how this tour came about is contained in the file.

Letter from Fr Aubrey Gwynn SJ to the Librarian, Pierpoint Morgan Library, New York, concerning Fr Gwynn's inquiries about MS 627 in the Library, ‘commonly known as the Drummond Missal.’ Fr Gwynn wants to get answers ‘to a whole series of questions which need to be answered before I complete my paper…on the history of the Roman Mass in Ireland in the twelfth century’ (10 February 1980, 4pp). Includes two pages of questions concerning the manuscript and covering letter to the Librarian from Fr Brian Grogan SJ, Rector of Milltown Park. Includes copy of a slightly different version of Fr Gwynn's letter (4pp).

Letter from J. E. Walsh, Superior General, Maryknoll, New York to Irish Fr Provincial John R. MacMahon SJ, St Francis Xavier's Church, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin concerning notes sent from China intended for the Irish Province.

Letter from the Maryknoll Fathers, Maryknoll, New York addressed 'Dear Friend' offering the services of the Maryknoll Fathers in Chungking, Free China in forwarding mail to people in China.

Letter to ‘Cullen’ from Edward Boyd Barrett (New York) telling him about his new book 'While Peter Sleeps' which was published in 1929 by Ives Washburn, New York.

Letters about, and reviews of, 'The Jesuit Enigma' published in 1927 by Boni & Liveright, New York. Includes book cover.

A file of letters from Fr Albert Power SJ to Irish Fr Provincial concerning his voyage to Australia via America. Includes letters referring to William Tucker SJ and his health (6 October 1918 & 7 October 1918, 2 items). Includes a letter concerning his journey to San Francisco. Remarks 'At San Francisco there is a Priest (Fr O'Neill) who is Rector of Newman Hall in the University at Berkeley...a Catholic Hall like the one I am going to be acquainted with. I have a letter of introduction to him and hope to get some lights from him. They say he has done a great deal for his Hall...' (21 November 1918, 2pp). Includes a letter concerning his new position as Rector of Newman College. Refers to Fr O'Dwyer SJ. Remarks 'The poor man has had a v. heavy trial over this Newman College affair - and I think he has been dealt with rather unceremoniously.' Refers to an offer by the Archbishop of Perth inviting the Jesuits to establish a see also residence in Perth. Remarks 'I would remind your Reverence that we are very much undermanned out here - and unless you can send us out a good few subjects, it might be better not to extend the frontier that we have to garrison.' (21 January 1919, 2pp). Includes a letter reporting on Newman College after 18 months as Rector of the College (19 August 1920, 4pp). Includes a letter referring to a consult of the mission at which the proposal of Australia becoming a Vice-Province was discussed. Summarises the points raised (13 October 1924, 3pp).

A file of letters from Fr George Byrne SJ to Irish Fr Provincial Thomas V. Nolan SJ concerning the voyage to Australia and his work with the Novices and the community in Loyola, Greenwich Road, Greenwich. Includes a letter concerning a trip to America and refers to a meeting he had with the doctor of Mr William Tucker SJ. Remarks 'I saw the Doctor, his opinion is that, as far as climate etc. is concerned, home was just as good as USA but because of "T(ucker)'s temperament he believed California would be better...I doubt very much whether the man himself really seriously wants to remain in the Society...' (31 May 1919, 3pp).

A file of letters to Irish Fr Provincial Nicholas Walsh SJ. Includes an index/précis to the letters by Fr James Rabbitte SJ.

A file relating to the imprisonment of Frs Patrick Joy and Gerard Casey by the Japanese.

Mission Office material relating to Fr Laurence Kearns SJ, which includes announcement of death, personal record and correspondence between Fr Kearns and Frs Thomas Martin and Vincent Murphy, Mission Office, Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin.

Published pamphlets and articles by Edward Boyd Barrett. Includes:

• reprint entitled ‘ The Education of the Will’ from 'The Irish Ecclesiastical Record' (May 1929, 13pp);
• pamphlets entitled 'Effects of Strikes' (Office of the Irish Messenger, Dublin). One edition is inscribed “To the ‘Loveliest and Best’ of Mothers from her most affec(tionate) Son. E.B.B., S.J.” (1914, 1926, 24pp each);
• pamphlet entitled 'Our Schools and Social Work' (Office of the Irish Messenger, Dublin) (1922, 24pp);
• copy of 'The American Mercury' containing an article by Boyd Barrett entitled ‘The Catholic Church Faces America’ (Vol. XVI, No. 61, pp. 1 - 10) (Jan. 1929, 10pp).

Prayer to Our Lady by E.C Donnelly from the 'Ave Maria', J Schafer Publisher, 23 Barclay St, New York.