His enthusiasm inspired them with a love of artistic excellence, which, neither in his own work, nor in that of his pupils would tolerate anything commonplace.

Before coming to Thornbrook, he had written "The Truce of God," first published as a serial in the _United States Catholic Magazine_, established by John Murphy of Baltimore, and which under the editorship of Bishop Martin John Spalding and the Rev.Charles I.White achieved a national reputation.

Two other tales, "Loretto," and the "Governess," had also been published and were extremely popular.

Like "The Truce of God," they were of the purest moral tone, elegant in diction, the work of a thorough literary craftsman.

In 1850, the American actor, Edwin Forrest, offered a prize of $1,000.00 for the best drama written by an American.