It was a purely
voluntary act on his part. Henceforward it would seem that, so far from
being prejudiced against Catholicism, Burton was always coquetting with
it; and if he took any religion seriously at all, he may be said to have
taken this one seriously. The following facts also go to prove this
theory. He married a Catholic wife, of whose strong religious views he
was well aware. Before the marriage he signed a paper to the effect that
his children, if any, should be brought up in the Roman Catholic faith.
He obtained and used the following letter from Cardinal Wiseman, with
whom he was on friendly terms:
"LONDON, June 28, 1856.
"DEAR SIR,
"Allow me to introduce to you Captain Burton, the bearer of this note,
who is employed by the Government to make an expedition to Africa, at
the head of a little band of adventurers. Captain Burton has been
highly spoken of in the papers here; and I have been asked to give
him this introduction to you as a Catholic officer.
"I am, dear Sir,
"Yours sincerely in Christ,
"N. CARD. WISEMAN.
"COLONEL HAMMERTON," etc., etc., etc.
He habitually wore a crucifix, which his wife had given him, next his
skin; he championed the cause of the Catholic converts in Syria; and
when staying with his wife's family, he would frequently attend a
service in a Roman Catholic church, and behave in all things as a
Catholic worshipper.
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