bore his suffering was no less than heroic: I don't think anyone ever heard him even admit that lie was ill; he was always cheerful, always had a jovial remark on his lips, always seemed to be enjoying life. But illness forced him to spend much time in rest: yet he used this time for wide and deep reading. Theology, particularly mystical theology, was a lasting interest: St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila were always among his bedside books. This was reflected in the sermons he prepared so thoroughly; he really enjoyed preaching and - this is rare - his people enjoyed his sermons even more than he did. No doubt his own experience made him aware of the needs of the sick: his care of them was assiduous. lie was a wise counsellor, always at the disposal of all who wanted him; a kindly humour put people quickly at their case with him, and few could have found approaching him anything but easy. Not surprisingly he was greatly loved and he is greatly missed. May he rest in peace.

W A Doran

CANON ROBERT HENRY NICHOLSON (1919-1922)

Robert Henry Nicholson came to Cotton in 1919 and, after successfully completing his studies, went to the Venerable English College in Rome. There he joined several other Cottonians, including the late Cardinal Griffin, Monsignor Cregg and Canon William Burrows. He was a goad student and obtained his degrees in Philosophy and Theology. Apart from the academic life, lie was an enthusiastic tennis player and a keen swimmer. I well remember that lie was one of a small party who swam across the beautiful Lake Nemi. Above all, he was a -,real walker and anyone who has accompanied him on any of those long distance 'hikes' will never forgot those short, quick steps reminding one of the marching pace of the Italian Bersaglieri Regiment..

After completing his studies at the Venerabile, he joined the Staff at Cotton in 1929. After a year at Cotton, he was appointed as curate to Burslem and while there he entered with great enthusiasm into the work of the Potteries Catholic Evidence Guild. In 1943 lie was appointed Professor of Philosophy at Oscott. In those days we ran the Catholic Evidence Guild at Cotton and we had many volunteers for a licence to speak on a public platform. For several years Canon Nicholson and the late Cardinal Griffin, before he was raised to the Episcopate, came over (luring the Summer Term and spent almost an entire day subjecting the examinands to some thorough but kindly 'heckling'. lie always remained an enthusiastic supporter of the CEG.

From 1933 till his death he was in charge of the Ecclesiastical Education Fund. lie also did great work in the Catholic Social Guild, the Diocesan Guild of Catechists and was 'Defensor Vinculi' in the Marriage Court. It often amazed me how he coped with all the demands on his time. In 1948 he was appointed to St Catherine's in the Horse Fair. There I stayed with him a number of times and was able to see the demand that this very busy parish made on him and his curates. I could see especially at the Annual Christmas Parish Party how universally beloved he was by his parishioners.

lie was remarkably even-tempered and I have never really known him to lose his temper. This general ease

of approach made him generally loved, and I have met a number of people who met him only casually, but went out of their way to say how much they were impressed by him. After his hard work at St Catherine's he would enjoy to the full relaxing at the sea, swimming and enjoying the sun. lie loved reading and was especially fund of historical novels, on which we often compared notes. lie always retained his love for Cotton and was very pleased to be elected President of the St Wilfrid's and Parkers' Society in 1956, and later to become one of the College Governors.

Before his last illness he was obliged to spend some weeks at Aston-by-Stone, and from there he was very pleased to come over to Cotton for a swim, a talk and a welcome break. His last illness came on him just before he was to take his annual seaside holiday with us. lie had been looking forward to this, and one of his anxieties was that his illness would upset our holiday arrangements. He had made many friends on these holidays, especially among the Sisters for whom lie said Mass even' morning, and all were veil, greatly concerned by the news of his illness. Wherever he served he was universally loved - at Burslem, St Catherine's, Nazareth House, St Brigid's, Northfield and finally at

the Convent at Selly Park. In his death I and many others lost an ideal priest and a great friend, and Cotton one of its most devoted sons.

LWIW

CANON MARTIN POWER (College Governor)

'Give me but six-foot-three (one inch to spare) Of Irish earth, and dig it anywhere; And for my poor soul say an Irish prayer

above the spot.'

When the present writer came to know Canon Martin Power at close quarters, the ravages of time and physical pain had already dented his mighty spirit to such an extent that the above lines of Sir William Butler express with suitable poignancy his final earthly ambition. He had wrestled so long and so successfully with life that he saw death as the final victory, supplying at one and the same time a vindication of his Herculean labours and the trophy necessary to every mortal to win recognition from an Eternal King.

Martin Michael Power was born on the eleventh of November 1889 in Mooncoin, County Kilkenny - a distinction he shared with 'Lovely Molly', fanned in song as the Rose of that beautiful spot. However, it was not to be roses all the way for the young Martin, as the family soon moved to Limerick and he started on his studies with the Jesuits at the 'Crescent', graduating in due course from that notable academy to Belcamp College, Dublin, and finally to Oscott College, Birmingham where he completed his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1915, the second priest of the family (there was a third to come) to join the Birmingham Diocese.

Having sensed as Assistant Priest at St Mary's, Walsall until 1922 and St Joseph's, Nechells until 1923, he was sent to open a new parish at Birches (lead in that year. There, where a perpetual pall of industrial gloom mercifully screened some of the sores inflicted oil the

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