perfect and finished for the times of Colet, in this
country; especially if we may judge from the rules to be
observed in completing a public one, just about the period
of Colet's death: "Md. couenawntyd and agreid wyth Comell
Clerke, for the making off the dextis in the library, (of
Christ Church College, Oxford) to the summe off xvi, after
the maner and forme as they be in Magdalyn college, except
the popie heedes off the seites, this to be workmanly
wrought and clenly, and he to have all manner off stooff
foond hym, and to have for the makyng off one dexte xs.
the sum off the hole viii. li. Item: borowd att Magdaleyn
college one c. off v. d nayle, a c. off vi. d nayle, dim. c.
x. d. nayle."--_Antiquities of Glastonbury_; edit. Hearne,
p. 307.

[Illustration]]

LIS. Pray don't make such tantalizing appeals to me! Proceed, proceed.

LYSAND. Of this amiable and illustrious character I will only further
observe that he possessed solid, good sense--unaffected and unshaken
piety--a love towards the whole human race--and that he dignified his
attachment to learning by the conscientious discharge of his duty
towards God and man. He sleeps in peace beneath a monument, which has
been consecrated by the tears of all who were related to him, and by
the prayers of those who have been benefitted by his philanthropy.

Of SIR THOMAS MORE,[296] where is the schoolboy that is ignorant? He
was unquestionably, next to Erasmus, the most brilliant scholar of his
age: while the precious biographical memoirs of him, which have
luckily descended to us, place his character, in a domestic point of
view, beyond that of all his contemporaries. Dr. Wordsworth[297] has
well spoken of "the heavenly mindedness" of More: but how are
bibliomaniacs justly to appreciate the classical lore, and
incessantly-active book-pursuits,[298] of this scholar and martyr! How
he soared "above his compeers!" How richly, singularly, and
curiously, was his mind furnished! Wit, playfulness, elevation, and
force--all these are distinguishable in his writings, if we except his
polemical compositions; which latter, to speak in the gentlest terms,
are wholly unworthy of his name. When More's head was severed from his
body, virtue and piety exclaimed, in the language of Erasmus,--"He is
dead: More, whose breast was purer than snow, whose genius was
excellent above all his nation."[299]

[Illust