Publisher's Synopsis
THE Practical Reflections may be called one of our standard books of pidy. During the space of little more than a century, ten editions have been published; and it is now in more general use, and meets with more universal approbation than at any former period. The concise manner in which the subjects are treated, renders it particularly useful for those who have not time for much reading; and the quantity of matter which is compressed into that small compass, makes it beneficial to those who have time to protract their meditations. The name of the pious author has hitherto been concealed. From the following account, however, sent to the editor by that learned and persevering investigator of Catholic biographical history, &c., the Rev. J. Kirk, of Lichfield, it may be presumed that the author was the Rev. Robert Lane, alias Bowes: "Robert Lane, alias Bowes, educated at Douay, lived at Hatherop, (the seat of the Webb family, near Fairford, Gloucestershire, ) died at Bath, December 17, 1735. He was author, says Mr. Eyre, of Ushaw, in a letter of January 6, 1791, of the Practical Reflections. The late: Mr. John Lee, of Hammersmith, declared to me in the year 1815, and to the Rev. Mr. Hodgson, frequently, that his original MS. was at Hatherop, w hen he lived there. On the other hand, Mr. Darell, of Calehill, being asked by Bishop Poynter, (at my request) May 6th, 1821, whether he knew of any tradition in his family of the Practical Reflections being the work of Father Dorrell, answered, that he knew of none."
