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If, in the Encomium Moriae or Praise of Folly, which Erasmus wrote at about the same period , the vices and follies of the Church were lashed with a mockery still more unsparing, we have to note, first, that the great scholar drew his picture less from England than from the Continent; next, that it had no injurious effect on his appointment to the professorship of Greek at Cambridge.

He thought of Thomas More, whom he was now to see again that most witty and wise of all his friends, with that curious name Moros, the Greek word for a fool, which so ill became his personality. Anticipating the gay jests which More's conversation promised, there grew in his mind that masterpiece of humour and wise irony, Moriae Encomium, the Praise of Folly.

I wonder that so much time and cost should have been expended upon a work which might have borne a title like the Encomium Moriae of Erasmus; and yet it is such a wonderful museum of the productions of the squinting brains belonging to the class of persons commonly known as cranks that we could hardly spare one of its five hundred octavo pages.

The more artistic aspects of Erasmus's talent come out most clearly though they are everywhere in evidence in those two recreations after more serious labour, the Moriae Encomium and the Colloquia. But just those two have been of enormous importance for his influence upon his times.

At the close of this interesting book of travel, which is a guide for pilgrims, the author promises to all those who say a prayer for him a share in whatever heavenly grace he may himself obtain for all his holy pilgrimages. See Literature of the South of Europe, II, 400 ff. His Encomium Moriae was sketched on a journey from Italy and written while he was the guest of Sir Thomas More in London.

Moriae Encomium, The Praise of Folly: 1509, as a work of art Folly, the motor of all life: Indispensable, salutary, cause and support of states and of heroism Folly keeps the world going Vital energy incorporated with folly Lack of folly makes unfit for life Need of self-complacency Humbug beats truth Knowledge a plague Satire of all secular and ecclesiastical vocations Two themes throughout the work The highest folly: Ecstasy The Moria to be taken as a gay jest Confusion of fools and lunatics Erasmus treats his Moria slightingly Its value

I wonder that so much time and cost should have been expended upon a work which might have borne a title like the Encomium Moriae of Erasmus; and yet it is such a wonderful museum of the productions of the squinting brains belonging to the class of persons commonly known as cranks that we could hardly spare one of its five hundred octavo pages.

It seems to me that perfect justice has been done in this case. The Praise of Folly is his best work. He wrote other books, more erudite, some more pious some perhaps of equal or greater influence on his time. But each has had its day. Moriae Encomium alone was to be immortal. For only when humour illuminated that mind did it become truly profound.

Amongst the moderns we may reckon the "Encomium Moriae" of Erasmus, Barclay's "Euphormio," and a volume of German authors which my ingenious friend Mr. Charles Killigrew once lent me.

But why do I run over these things to you, a person so excellent an advocate that no man better defends his client, though the cause many times be none of the best? Farewell, my best disputant More, and stoutly defend your Moriae.