Fisher himself was prevented only by age from being of the number.

Erasmus took the degrees of B. D. as incipient in Theology, 1506; and in 1510 was made Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity. He wrote upon all subjects, and in all styles, but always in Latin, and always well his powers of composition being proportioned to the vast riches and variety of his knowledge. With the minuteness of a grammarian, the sagacity of a critic, the subtlety of a metaphysician, and the precision of a logician, he combined the eloquence of a rhetorician, the solemnity of a theologian, the profundity of a philosopher, and the gaiety, and the ease, and playfulness of a poet: for all these different qualities he may be justly praised: but his principal force was in irony, in which he cannot be surpassed; perhaps is not equalled. This machine, supported with his more weighty artillery of solid literature, he played off with admirable effect against the follies, the vices, the superstitions, and ignorance of his age for, having translated some of Lucian's Dialogues, he had caught much of his manner, of which his Colloquies, his Praise of Folly, and Letters on Epistolary Writing, are admirable specimens. In his Adagia, written more immediately for the use of the English Nation, are deposited great treasures of classical literature. He edited many of the Greek and Latin Classics, with some of the Fathers: but his more splendid, elaborate works, are Pliny's Natural History, Aristotle's Works, and an edition of the Greek Testament; and to all of which he has admirable prefaces: the latter was accompanied with a new Latin Translation and Notes. His Commentary, translated into English, was appointed by public authority to be placed in all our churches. In his Treatise on Episto

lary Writing, he not only delivers general rules for epistolary composition, but a most rational plan for acquiring the learned languages: hastily sent forth, as it was, it yet reached many important points. In an Epistle to Nicholas Beraldus, he says, it was written in twenty dayss and that, in consequence of the treachery of a friend, who published it without his consent, he gave an edition himself: but had it been the labour of as many weeks, or months, it would have been labour well be stowed *.

Erasmus's works made ten volumes in folio, and were edited by Le Clerce whence it appears, though he was unacquainted with Hebrew, and never acquired a thorough knowledge of the English language, he may be pronounced the greatest genius, and the profoundest scholar, of his age; not less successful, than indefatigable, in his studies. He was an advocate for free-will, against predestination. Obnoxious as he was to some of the Re formers, for his book de Servo Arbitrio, against Luther, whom he treated somewhat sharply, still his literary authority was appealed to by all parties. He lived at large, for he would be shackled by no theologues; and while some objected to him his conformity, he knew he had to do with men, though Reformers, who were politicians and conformists in various ways themselves t: against their bigotry and intolerance he was as serious as they could be against his temporizing, and love of literary

ease.

After all, he did more in the cause of real reformation ‡, than any man of his age, and carried its spirit up to some points, where no one durst follow him. But, to close all, and to say what is immediately to our purpose, in the wise and critical use of ancient manuscripts, in liberalizing our universities §, and in break.

Linguis

ing the long-riveted shackles of their superstitions and ignorance, by writing, no one did so much as this great

man-and as to other mattersHomo fuit atque humanus Erasmus.

Mr. URBAN, Sept. 3. NOTICED in your last Number, (p. 118.) a very interesting and accurate Architectural description of the fine monastic Ruins at Worksop, and likewise several severe reflections upon the state in which it appeared when your Correspondent's remarks were taken. Doubtless at that time the gateway was in the ruinous condition he mentions; but, having not long since had occasion to pass through that town, I have an opportunity of informing him and your Readers, that within these few months it has undergone a substantial and thorough repair. Great labour has been bestowed to clear the ornaments of the whole, particularly the beautiful and unrivalled porch; and no reparations have taken place which are not consistent with the old work, excepting the roof, which is covered with common house tiling. The room has again been converted into a school, consisting at present of 150 boys, and is, I believe, not to exceed 200. The East entrance of the porch has been walled up for greater security, and the window in front boarded. With respect to the latter, I hope I may be permitted to suggest a restoration of the tracery and mullions: it is the principal feature in the front of the porch and in its present condition is inconsistent with the rest of the building. The fragments left are sufficient to prove what the design originally was; and, with the assistance of some person who has drawn the parts and mouldings with accuracy, it might easily be accomplished, and at a trifling expence ; nor should this work be executed in

new stone. Though I am very far from being an advocate for making quarries of our venerable ruias, yet I trust, that a few pieces might be taken for this necessary repair from the relics which adjoin the church, without demolishing any curious frag ment, or offending the zealous antiquary; but on no other account would I have a stone of ancient work removed from the spot in which it was first placed, or had been levelled by merciless and destructive hands at the general wreck; for if, by this trifling innovation, we preserve to posterity the little that devastation has left to admire, the alternative is not painful to our reflection. A farther reparation might be made, which perhaps would be doing as much as propriety and example will admit. I allude to the parapet of the East side of the porch one stone of the old work remains; and that on the West side is entire, with its small decorative battlements. This too should be done in old stone; and two pieces only would be necessary, following in every particular the parapet that is left. These are the only restorations necessary, and sufficient to show its pristine elegance: then may we hope that it will subsist for ages, and excite the admiration of posterity. It is an unexampled remain of novelty and beauty; and, while Architecture continues to be admired, will claim its share of notice. It is but justice to observe that what has already been done in the preservation of this gate way was through the indefatigable exertion of an individual in the neighbourhood, a gentleman of considerable taste, and a real antiquary, one who can discern the beauties, and estimate the value of ancient architecture. To him are our thanks due, and may this example be followed by every one in whose hands power rests to show a like zeal. J. C. B.

Mr.

I

Mr. URBAN,

Aug. 15.

WAS extremely surprized, and I may add, indignant, when I perused the "Strictures on the Laws against Vagrants," as you have been pleased to entitle the communication of your Correspondent W. B. inserted in your valuable Magazine, in the Supplement to vol. LXXXIV. Part I. pages 649, 650, 651, inclusive. Your Correspondent would have acted wisely if he had read before he wrote, and thought before he had made his writing public: since then, perhaps, he would not have committed himself so egregiously as he now has done; nor have misconceived and misrepresented so greatly the subject he undertook to discuss. But, that I may not be thought, like your Correspondent, to deul in unfounded censure, I will first, in his own words, state his objections to what you have called "the Laws against Vagrants," though he himself, except by his general reasoning, has not distinctly mentioned them, and then will proceed to shew how ill-founded are the objections which He has brought against them.

--

"a

After first stating, that "he does not mean" (although he has actually done so, we will suppose without intending it)" to advocate the cause of common beggars, &c." and acknowledging, that "the greater part of them do literally and truly come under that description of Rogues and Vagabonds in which the Law has indiscriminately classed them," (which, however, I shall shew is a direct misconception of the Writer) he " considers it" (by which we must infer, I think, the System of the Poor Laws as now established in England) “ discredit to the Legislature, as far as it" (viz. our Poor Laws, the Laws against Vagrants, or the "Vagrant Act," as it is called) "creates a power to persecute the Poor," (than which assertion nothing can possibly be more unjust or untrue)" and casts, adds he, an indiscriminate imputation on that rejected part of the species,' by supposing criminality inseparably attached to a wandering state of poverty." The Writer adds, "it is a plausible argument, but it is not true, that the legal provisions made for the support and settlement of Paupers, are adequate to the prevention of Vagrants, pr supersede the necessity of their GENT. MAG. September, 1814.

existence." Now, Sir, as the argument of your Correspondent turns upon his broad and unqualified assertion, that "the legal provisions for Paupers are not adequate to the prevention of Vagrants, or do not supersede the necessity of them ;" give me leave to join issue with your Corre spondent on that point, and with equal confidence, and I trust with better foundation for it than his, to assert that these "legal provisions” are fully adequate to this purpose.

From the history of the Poor Laws it appears, that prior to the Reformation there was no regular provision for the poor, but they were in great measure left to such relief as the humanity of their neighbours would afford them. If this, Sir, were the situation of the Poor in England at the present day, I would readily concede to your Correspondent his postulatum; but when I consider the numerous laws which have from time to time been made for their maintenance and provision, and the peculiar care, humanity, and fatherly attention, with which the Legislature has attended to their interests, I am lost in astonishment that such a calumny should be published seriatim by your Correspondent, and I feel myself called upon as an acting Mugistrate to endeavour to repel it.

During the existence of the Monasteries, Priories, and Hospitals, they supported and fed a very numerous and idle Poor, who depended for sus tenance upon what was daily distributed in Alms at the gates of such religious houses. In the reign, however, of Hen. VIII. when these Monasteries were suppressed, and their very aimple revenues were confiscated, the inconvenience and mischiefs of supporting the Poor in habits of indo-lence and beggury were felt quickly throughout the Kingdom; and many statutes were made in the reign of that King for providing for the Poor and impotent, which have been altered, improved, and greatly multiplied, since that period. The Poor have been, with great propriety, by these laws, divided into two principal classes

the old, sick, and impotent, who were totally unable to work; and the idle and sturdy, who were well able but unwilling to work, or to exercise any lawful employment whereby they

might

might be enabled to gain an honest livelihood. The existing laws, which are in force at this day, have, in the kindest and most effectual manner, provided for the necessary maintenance and support of the former class of honest and meritorious poor persons: and the "Vagrant Act," which your Correspondent so severely condemas, has provided an adequate punishment, for the "idle and disorderly" persons, the "Rogues and Vagabonds," which are the pests of society, and the terror of sober and worthy men.

With regard to poor persons, who are merely such from old age, sickness, or any other calamity, and not from any vice or fault of their own, so far is the Law from either "classing them indiscriminately with rogues and vagabonds," or "creating in any case a power to persecute them," that they are expressly under the protection of the Law, and of the Justices of the Peace, who are the adminis 'trators of the Law; and who are armed with very sufficient powers, in the most prompt and effectual manner, both to protect and relieve them. No honest poor person, who in the days of his health and vigour, has been sober, industrious, and of good report, and such the courtesy of our English Laws will consider him to have been if nothing be proved to the contrary, needs to “beg his bread,” or can want any of those necessaries and comforts which the exigencies of his case may require. The Magistrates are furnished with the most complete power of doing right to every poor person, by the provisions and clauses of existing Statutes; and, by the tenour of their commission, they are sworn "to do equal right to the poor and to the rich" and, consequently, the bold but unfounded assertion of your Correspondent falls to the ground. Allow me to cite an instance in point, which may be applied, I think, in every case that can occur, and which, unless I am mistaken, will bring very complete conviction to your m nd, and to the mind of every unprejudiced Reader of your useful Miscellany. A few days ago, an inhabitant of the immediately adjoining parish came before me, and, on his oath, complained that his son, by trade a blacksmith, was now, and for some time past, violently afflicted with

sickness, and, as he believed, with an incurable and painful bodily disorder. Medical advice, &c. were under these circumstances absolutely necessary; and the present allowance of the parish, which he stated to me, and which the Overseers had refused to increase, was insufficient. I therefore cited the Overseers to appear before me at a certain time and place, together with the Complainant and on their appearance convinced them that a farther relief was necessary, which they consented to give, and with which the Complainant declared he was content. Had not the Overseer agreed to what under existing circumstances I thought reasonable, authority was vested in my hands by the Statute, to make an order upon him for the payment, and to punish him if he had not obeyed it.

The above case had an easy and speedy remedy, and in every case remedies equally effectual and prompt may be applied. We will suppose, for instance, a case which frequently occurs, that a person, born beyond the Seas, or who has not any legal parish to which he belongs, by some of those casualties to which all men are subject, becomes poor, and sick, and wants relief. If, on a legal examination before a Magistrate, no parish can be discovered, he must be relieved by the parish where he falls sick and “impotent: and the same speedy and effectual remedy, if the Overseer refuses assistance, will be given him on applying to a Magistrate, and making his necessities known. This relief, which is left to the discretion of the Magistrate on a due consideration of the circumstances of the case, will be continued to the pauper while he or she is incapable of working; so that none need, through necessity, “ lawfully beg their bread from door to door:" and if they do, from a roguish and unprincipled motive, presume to do so, they become, if in the parish to which they of right belong, by such begging, idle and disorderly;" if it be in another parish, they are properly styled "Rogues and Vagabonds.

un

The Laws of England, Sir, in the true spirit of the Gospel precept, are made for the protection and "reward of those who do well," and also where it is necessary, as in the cases we have just mentioned, “for the punishment of evil-doers." What would become,