The extra duties of the staff. The public readers every six years shall set forth some new books in print, according to their several professions, and every three years some translation. Twice a year sermons shall be preached in the academy in honor of the founder.” Gilbert points out that gentlemen's sons could only be educated at Cambridge or Oxford. But in those universities they regard learning only. The commodity of the academy. Whereas in the Universities men study onely school-learnings, in this Academy they shall study matters of action meet for present practice, both of peace and war. And if they will not dispose themselves to letters, yet they may learn languages, or martial activities for the service of their country. If neither the one nor the other, then may they exercise themselves in qualities meet for a gentleman. And also, the other Universities shall then better suffice to relieve poor scholars, where now the youth of nobility and gentlemen, taking up their scholarships and fellowships, do disappoint the poor of their livings and advancements. The outcome of such an academy: By erecting this Academy there shall be hereafter, in effect, no gentleman within this realm but good for somewhat, whereas now the most part of them are good for nothing. And yet thereby the Court shall not only be greatly increased with gallant gentlemen, but also with men of virtue, whereby your Majesty's and Successors' Courts shall be, for ever, instead of a Nursery of Idleness, become a most noble Academy of chivalric policy and philosophy, to your great fame. And better it is to have renown among the good sort, then to lord over the whole world. For so shall your Majesty make yourself to live among men for ever (whereas all flesh hath but small continuance), and therewithal bring yourself into God's favour, so far as the benefits of good works may prevail. Mr. C. H. Coote, the writer of the article on Sir Humphrey Gilbert in Dictionary of National Biography, vol. 21, p. 327, says that the above was probably written after Gilbert's return from the Netherlands in 1572. Italian and other foreign editions in Britis. Museum of Castiglione's Courtier (translated by Sir Thomas Hoby): Il libro del Cortegiano del Conte Baldassare Castiglione. Nelle case d'Aldo Romano e d'Andrea d'Asola. Venetia, 1528, fol. Also 1533, 8vo. Another edition was published at Florence, 1528, 8vo. Also 1531. Also 12mo, 1537. Also 1884, 12mo, and 1894, 8vo. Vinegia, 1538, 8vo, 1511, 8vo, 1547, 8vo, 1551, 12mo, 1552, 8vo. Venetia, 1544, 8vo. 1545, fol. Lyons, 1553, 16mo. 1562, 16mo. 1580, 8vo. 1538, 8vo (edited by Dolet). a Cf. Milton: "I call therefore a complete and generous education that which fits a man to perform justly, skillfully, and magnanimously all the offices, both private and public, of peace and war.' Rather a hard judgment on the gentlemen of Queen Elizabeth's reign. English editions of Castiglione's Courtier: The Courtyer of Count Baldessar Castilio divided into four bookes. Very necessary and profitable for yonge Gentilmen and Gentilwomen abiding in Court, Palaice or Place, done into Englyshe by Thomas Hoby. Imprinted at London by Wyllyam Seres at the signe of the Hedghogge, 1561. 4to. (Pages unnumbered.) Other editions: 1577, 4to. 1603, 4to. The Courtier * * done into English by Thomas Hobby. Ital. Fr. Eng. B. L. John Wolfe, London, 1588. B. Castilionis * * 8vo. * de Curiali sive Aulico, libri quatuor, ex Italico sermone in Latinum conversi; B. Clerke interprete. Non ante æditi. * * * don, 1571. 8vo. Also 1585, 1593, and 1603. Lon * Quibus B. Castilionis Comitis de Curiali sive Aulico, libri quatuor additus est in fine Aula, dialogus (G. Insulani Menapii) cum indice locupletissimo, etc. London, 1612. 8vo. Also 1619. Also, at Cambridge, 1713. 8vo. (Recensuit S. Drake.) The Courtier; or, the Complete Gentleman & Gentlewoman—Translated from the Italian original of Balthasar, Count Castiglione (by R. Samber). In four books, London, 1729. 8vo. This edition describes itself as a "Treatise of the politest Manner of Educating Persons of Distinction of both Sexes, and the Qualifications requisite in People of all Ranks from the Prince to the private Gentleman." There is a sumptuous edition giving the Italian text and the English translation by A. P. Castiglione, who proudly adds, "of the same family," London, printed by W. Bowyer, for the editor, 1727. It is beautifully printed. There is a life of the author prefixed, and an excellent engraving of the count from the picture by Raphael. In the Tudor Translations Series (London, David Nutt) appeared, in 1900, beautifully printed text, with a thorough and most carefully written introduction by Prof. Walter Raleigh. A glance at the number of editions of this book shows the vogue and influence which it had. Nor is the list of the British Museum Catalogue by any means complete. The English 1729 edition supplies the following, which may be added (of the Latin translations): Frankfort, 1584, 1606; Strassburg, 1577, 1619, 1639, 1663. The first English edition contains a letter from Sir John Cheke to Mayster Thomas Hoby. It is worth quoting, for much as Sir John praised the use of English we look in vain to find any considerable utterances, of his own at any rate, on education in that language. He is reputed to have written a treatise De ludi magistrorum officio, but this is not now forthcoming, and it clearly was in Latin. Here, however, is a piece of his English: Cheke's letter to Hoby. For your opinion of my good will unto you as you writ, you can not be deceived: for submitting your doings to my judgment, I thank you. For taking this pain of your translation, you worthily deserve great thanks of all sorts. I have taken some pain at your request chiefly in your preface, not in the reading of it, for that was pleasaunt unto me both for the roundness of your sayings and well-speakings of the same, but in changing certain words which might very well be let alone, but that I am very curious in my friends' matters, not to determine but to debate what is best. Wherein I seek not the bestness haply by truth, but by my own fantasy, and show of goodness. I am of this opinion that our own tongue should be written clean and pure, unmixed and unmangled with borrowing of other tongues wherein if we take not a There are 25 Italian editions (besides editions and translations in other countries) from 1528 up to Signor V. Cian's edition at Florence in 1894. heed betimes, ever borrowing and never paying, she shall be fain to keep her house as bankrupt. For then doth our tongue naturally and praisably utter her meaning, when she borroweth no counterfeitness of other tongues to attire herself withal, but useth plainly her own with such shift as nature, craft, experience, and following of other excellent doth lead her unto, and if she want at any time (as being unperfect she must) yet let her borrow with such bashfulness, that it may appear, that if either the mould of our own tongue could serve us to fashion a word of our own, or if the old denisoned could content and ease this need we would not boldly venture of unknowen words. This I say not for reproof of you who have scarcely and necessarily used where occasion serveth a strange word, so as it seemeth to grow out of the matter and not to be sought for: but for mine own defence, who might be counted over-straight a dreamer of things, if I gave not this accompt to you, my friend, and wise, of my marring this your handiwork. But I am called away, I pray you pardon my shortness, the rest of my sayings should be but praise and exhortation in this your doings, which at more leisure, I should do better. From my house in Wood Street the 16th July. 1557. Yours assured, JOAN CHEEK. The Translator, Sir Thomas Hoby (1530-1566), and "The Courtier" are also praised by Roger Ascham. See the Scholemaster, Mayor's edition, 1884, p. 119, where he says: To join learning with comely exercises, Conte Baldesar Castiglione in his book, Cortegiano doth trimly teach: which book advisedly read, and diligently followed, but one year at home in England, would do a young gentleman more good, I wisse, than three years travel abroad spent in Italy. And I marvel this book is no more read in the Court, than it is, seeing it is so well translated into English by a worthy gentleman Sir Th. Hobbie, who was many ways well furnished with learning, and very expert in knowledge of divers tongues. The following is given as the Final end of a courtier. Is to become an instructor and teacher of his prince or Lord inclining him to virtuous practices: And to be frank and free with him, after he is once in favour in matters touching his honour and estimation, always putting him in mind to follow virtue and to flee vice, opening unto him the commodities of the one and the inconveniences of the other: And to shut his ears against flatterers, which are the first beginning of self-seeking and all ignorance. His conversation with women is to be always gentle, sober, meek, lowly, modest, serviceable, comely, merry, not biting or slandering with jests, nips, frumps or railings, the honesty of any. His love towards women, is not to be sensual or fleshly, but honest and godly, and more ruled with reason than appetite: and to love better the beauty of the mind than of the body. Not to withdraw his mistress's goodwill from his fellow-lover with reviling or railing at him, but with virtuous deeds, and honest conditions, and with deserving more than he, at her hands, for honest affection's sake. Final end for a gentlewoman. The final end whereto the Courtier applieth all his good conditions, properties, feats, and qualities, serveth also for a waiting Gentlewoman to grow in favour with her Lady, and by that means so to instruct her and train her to virtue, that she may both refrain from vice and from committing any dishonest matter, and also abhor flatterers, and give herself to understand the full truth in every thing without entering into self-seeking and ignorance, either of other outward things or yet of her own self. The education sketched out is rather æsthetic than intellectual. In fact, all effort of education is to be obscured. The courtier is to do everything as if it were natural rather than learned with study. He is to be well spoken and fair languaged, to be wise and well "seen" in discourses upon states, and to frame himself to the manners of the country where he stayeth. Upon every matter he is to be able to allege good and probable reasons. Of languages he must at least be provided with Italian, French and Spanish. He is to be good company, and not to play dice and cards merely to win money. He is to be more than indifferently well seen in learning in the Latin and Greek tongues." Castilio does not offer any views on methods. The courtier must dance, sing, and play on the lute and 66 viol. He is not to become a jester or scoffer "to put any man out of countenance.” Above all, he is to be skillful in all kinds of martial feats, both on horseback and on foot, and well practiced in them. In these he must bear himself nobly and magnanimously. The education of gentlewomen. The gentlewoman must be taught to do all with a good grace. She is to commit no vice, and not to be had in any suspicion of vice. To have the understanding, so that when married she can order her husband's substance, her house, and children, and play the good housewife. She is to be heedful in her talk, that she offend not when she meant it not. She is not, in her playing upon instruments or in singing, to use "too much division and busy points, that declare more cunning than sweetness." She is to "set out her beauty and disposition of person with meet garments that shall best become her, but as seemingly as she can, making semblant to bestow no labor about it nor yet to mind it." She is to "have an understanding in all things belonging to the courtier, that she may give her judgment to commend and to make of gentlemen according to their worthiness and deserts." She should be learned and "seen in the most necessary languages.” She should draw and paint. She is to dance, and to be able to devise sports and pastimes. Above all, she is to make herself beloved for her deserts, amiableness, and good grace. (It is interesting to notice the importance of printing in these days. The printer offers a greeting to the reader: "Now at the length, gentle reader, through the diligence of Mr. Hoby in penning, and mine in printing, thou hast here set forth unto thee the book of the Courtier. * * Use it, therefore, and so peruse it, that for thy profit, first he, and then I, may think our travail herein well employed. Farewell.") * As to Sir Thomas Hoby (knighted 1565), there is little to say. He died at 36 years of age, in 1566. He had been educated at Cambridge, and had traveled abroad in France, Italy, and other countries. (See Dictionary of National Biography, vol. xxvii, p. 55.) For Life of Castiglione, see edition of Courtier of 1727, by A. P. Castiglione. There is also a biography in Chalmers's Biographical Dictionary, vol. 8, pp. 406-410. He was born 1478, near Mantua; learned Latin and Greek. For the latter he had as master Demetrius Chalcondylas, and for the Latin George Merula. Raphael and Michael Angelo are said to have consulted Castiglione on matters of art, admiring his knowledge and judgment. Engaged in military service and embassies, once coming to England. Completed the Courtier in 1516. Castiglione frequently refers to classical writers, or, as Chalmers puts it, "We may perceive how intimate Castiglione was with the Greek and Latin authors, having here gleaned together the first flowers of their wit, and treasured up as it were in a single cabinet the richest jewels of antiquity." In 1514 he married the daughter of Bentivoglio, who died in about four years after her marriage. Castiglione was sent as a legate of the Pope to Charles V. He accordingly went to Spain, in 1524, and was very successful. He stayed there and became bishop of Avila. It is said that the Pope intended to make Castiglione a cardinal. However, he fell sick at Toledo and died in 1529. Though written in 1516, the first edition of the Courtier was published in 1528 at Venice. The Italians, says Chalmers, call the Courtier "il libro d'oro" (the golden book). Professor Raleigh has given a full account of Castiglione and a particularly valuable life of Sir Thomas Hoby@ in his introduction. He shows the relation of Castiglione's views to the spirit of the age of Elizabeth and traces of its influence in later literature. a Professor Raleigh's account of Hoby is founded on the manuscript autograph diary in the British Museum, entitled "A Booke of the Travaile and Lief of Mr. Thomas Hoby, with diverse things woorth the notinge." The Castel of Memorie: wherein is conteyned the restoring, augmentyng and conserving of the Memorye and Remembrance, wyth the safest remedyes, and best preceptes thereunto in any wise apperteyning: Made by Gulielmus Gratarolus Bergomatis Doctor of Artes and Phisike. Englished by Willyam Fulwod. The Contentes whereof appeare in the Page next the following. Printed at London by Rouland Hall, dwelling in Gutter Lane at the signe of the halfe Egle and the Keye 1563. 8vo. B. L. Also 1573. Gratarolus was born at Bergamo in Italy, 1516, educated at Padua, and became a learned physician. He became a Protestant and had to leave Italy, first to Basle and then to Marburg, where he became professor of physic. He died at Basle about 1562. He wrote many books. Among them was the De Memoria reparanda, augenda, conservanda et Reminiscentia, translated as above. William Fulwood, the translator, lived in reign of Elizabeth. The exact years of his birth and death do not seem to be certain. He was a member of the Merchant Taylors' Company. Besides his translation of the Castel of Memorie, he wrote the Enimie of Idleness. The following are the contents of The Castel of Memorie, referred to on the title page: The i Chapter declareth what Memorye is, where it flourisheth, how profitable and necessary it is, etc. The ii containeth the chief causes, whereby the Memorie is hurt, with their signs and cures. The v comprehendeth certain best approved and chosen medicinable compound remedies, and preservatives greatly increasing the Memory. The vi expresseth Philosophical Judgments, Rules and Precepts of Remembrance. Last of all is put a brief Epilogue of the aforesaid things. Then follows a dedication. in verse, to Lord Robert Dudley, in which Fulwood speaks of Maximilian, King of Bohemia, as having praised the original work, and of Edward VI, King of England, as having accepted a French translation as a right needful thing." The translator then addresses a preface to the reader of the book, and breaks forth afterwards into the following verses: 66 THE BOOK'S VERDICT. A Castell strong I doe present Well furnished and sure: Munited eke with armoure bent Whiche hitherto long tyme hath bene In limbo patrum) hidde But now at last may here be sene, Procurying them a perfecte state, Whereby they may fynde out the gate Of Wysedomes lore. For why? He that hath lost his Memorye, By me may it renewe: And he that will it amplifye. Shall fynde instructions true. And he that will still kepe the same, That it shall not decay: By me must learne the way to frame Lo here ye see my full effecte: The secretes thereof to detecte, That thereby wittes may mende. Then Judge me, As I am werthie. |