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removed by the aid of his English friends, he returned to the gay capital. His first book was the "Adagia," a compilation from his journal, comprising quotations, epigrams, popular sayings, anecdotes, and almost anything likely to create amusement or interest. The reception of this work was most enthusiastic, especially among English friends. Warham, prospective Archbishop of Canterbury, sent the author a present of money, and offered him a benefice; but, notwithstanding his straitened circumstances, Erasmus declined the offer, for he could not bear the restraints of the church. The Adagia" had been successful beyond expectation, but still Erasmus could not adapt his expenditure to the limits of his income. It seemed to be a necessity of his existence that he should live in a certain style. He could have found abundant patronage if he would accept a benefice, or office under some great man, but he wished to be free. He also wished to benefit the world by his learning, and therefore determined to issue a new edition of the Bible in the original languages.

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The "Encomium Moriæ," or Praise of Folly, was suggested by Sir Thomas More, and the title is a play upon the knight's surname. In the allegory, Moria or Folly speaks for herself; she is the offspring of Jupiter and Youth, brought up in the Fortunate Islands by Drink and Ignorance. Her companions are Self-love, Indolence and Pleasure. The whole world is her temple, and each of her worshipers is an image of her. By and by comes a diatribe against the divines. They have a bodyguard of definitions, propositions, conclusions and corollaries; they can tell how the world was created, and where sin crept in. The sins of the laity are lightly passed over, but courtiers and courts receive the lash, and the worldliness of bishops, popes and cardinals is held up to derision and contrasted with the simplicity of Christ and his apostles. Notwithstanding the forcible and pointed expressions in this work, the "Encomium Moria" is considered polite and delicate compared with the "Epistolæ Obscurorum" of Von Hutten.

One of the noblest features in the life of Erasmus was the fact, that he never relaxed his industry. Under the disadvantages of ill health, dishonest servants, furious monks, and an income not equal to his expenditure, he toiled on, studied the

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