(Vol. ii., p. 55.)
I have never seen the article in the _Quarterly Review_ to which your
correspondent H.B.C. alludes: he will probably find it by reference to
the index, which is not just now within my reach. The neat London
edition, 1710, of the _Epistolæ_ was given by Michael Mattaire. There
are several subsequent reimpressions, but none worth notice except that
by Henr. Guil. Rotermund, Hanover, 1827, 8vo.; and again, with
improvements, "cum nova præfatione, nec non illustratione historica
circa originem earum, atque notitia de vita et scriptis virorum in
Epistolis occurentium aucta," 1830, both in 8vo.
The best edition, however, is that given by Dr. Ernst Münch, Leipsic,
1827, 8vo., with the following title:
"Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum aliaque Ævi Decimi sexti Monimenta
Rarissima. Die Briefe der Finsterlinge an Magister Ortuinus von
Deventer, nebst andern sehr seltenen Beiträgen zur
Literatur-Sitten-und-Kirchengeschichte des xvi'n Jahrhunderts."
This contains many important additions, and a copious historical
introduction. Both the editors write in German.
That this admirable satire produced an immense effect at the period of
its publication, there can be no doubt; but that it has ever been
thoroughly understood and relished among us may be doubted. Mr. Hallam,
in his _Literature of Europe_, vol. i., seems to have been disgusted
with the monkish dog-Latin and bald jokes, not recollecting that this
was a necessary and essential part of the design. Nor is it strange that
Steele, who was perhaps not very well acquainted with the history of
literature, should have misconceived the nature of the publication, when
we learn from an epistle of Sir Thomas More to Erasmus, that some of the
stupid theologasters themselves, who were held up to ridicule, received
it with approbation as a serious work:
"_Epist. Obs. Viror_. operæ pretium est videre quantopere
placeant omnibus, et doctis joco, et indoctis serio, qui dum
ridemus, putant rideri stylum tantum, quem illi non defendunt,
sed gravitate sententiarum dicunt compensatum, et latere sub
rudi vagina pulcherrimum gladium. Utinam fuisset inditus libello
alius titulus! Profecto intra centum annos homines studio
stupidi non sensissent nasum, quamquam rhinocerotico
longiorem."[8]
Erasmus evidently enjoyed the witty contrivance, though he affects to
disapprove it as an anonymous libel. Simler, in his life of Bullinger,
relates that on the first reading Erasmus fell into such a fit of
laughter as to burst an abscess in his face with which he was at that
time troubled, and which prevented the necessity of a surgical
operation.
The literary history of the _Epistolæ_ and the _Dialogue_ is involved in
obscurity. That Ulrich von Hutten had a large share in their concoction
there can be no doubt; and that he was assisted by Crotus Rubianus and
Hermann von Busch, if not by others, seems highly probable. The
authorship of _Lamentationes Obscurorum Virorum_ is a paradox which has
not yet been solved. They are a parody, but a poor one, of the
_Epistolæ_, and in the second edition are attributed to Ortuinus
Gratius. If they are by him, he must have been a dull dog indeed; but by
some it has been thought that they are the work of a Reuchlinist, to
mystify the monks of Cologne, and render them still more ridiculous;
yet, as the Pope's bull against the _Epistolæ_, and Erasmus's
disapproving letter, find a prominent place, and some other
well-grounded inculpations occur, it appears to me that some
slender-witted advocate of the enemies of learning has here shown his
want of skill in handling the weapons of the adversary.
How much Sir Thomas More was pleased with the writings of Hutten we may
gather from the opening of a letter which Erasmus addressed to Hutten,
giving an interesting account of his illustrious friend, in August,
1519:
"Quod Thomæ Mori ingenium sic deamas, ac penè dixerim deperis,
nimirum scriptis illius inflammatus, quibus (ut verè scribis)
nihil esse potest neque doctius neque festivius; istue mibi
crede, clarissime Huttene tibi cum multis commune est, cum Moro
mutuum etiam. Nam is vicissim adeò scriptorum tuorum genio
delectatur, ut ipse tibi plopemodum invideam."
The Dialogue (Mire Festivus), which in the edition of 1710 occurs
between the first and second parts of the _Epistolæ_, bears especial
marks of Hutten's manner, and is doubtless by him. The interlocutors are
three of the illustrious obscure, Magisters Ortuinus, Lupoldus, and
Gingolphus, and the first act of the comedy consists in their
observations upon the promoters of learning, Reuchlin, Erasmus, and
Faber Stapulensis, who afterwards make their appearance, and the
discussion becomes general, but no impression can be made upon the
stupid and prejudiced monks. The theme is, of course, the inutility of
the new learning, Hebrew and Greek and correct Latinity. One short
passage seems to me admirable:{122}
"_M. Ging_. Et Sanctus Ambrosius, Sanctus Augustinus, et alii
omnes zelossimi doctores non sciebant ipsi bene tot, sicut iste
Ribaldi? _M. Ort_. Ipsi deberent interponere suis. _M. Lup_. Non
bene indigemus de suo Græco. _M. Ging_. Videtur eis, qui sciunt
dicere _tou, tou, logos, monsotiros, legoim, taff, hagiotatos_,
quod ipse sciunt plus quam Deus. _M. Ort_. Magister noster
Lupolde, creditis, quod Deus curat multum de iste Græco? _M.
Lup_. Certe non, Magister noster Ortuine, ego credo, quod Deus
non curat multum."
Ranke, in his _History of the Reformation_, has very justly estimated
the merits and character of these remarkable productions:
"We must not look for the delicate apprehension and tact, which
can only be formed in a highly polished state of society, nor
for the indignation of insulted morality expressed by the
ancients: it is altogether a caricature, not of finished
individual portraits, but of a single type;--a clownish sensual
German priest, his intellect narrowed by stupid wonder and
fanatical hatred, who relates with silly _naïveté_ and gossiping
confidence the various absurd and scandalous situations into
which he falls. These letters are not the work of a high
poetical genius, but they have truth, coarse strong features of
resemblance, and vivid colouring."
Ranke mentions another satire, which appeared in March, 1520, directed
against John Eck, the opponent of Luther, the latter being regarded in
the light of a successor of Reuchlin, under the title of _Abgehobelte
Eck_, or _Eccius dedolatus_, "which, for fantastic invention, striking
and crushing truth, and Aristophanic wit, far exceeded the _Literæ Obsc.
V._, which it somewhat resembled." I have not yet been able to meet with
this; but such high praise, from so judicious a critic, makes me very
desirous to see and peruse it.
S.W. Singer.
Mickleham, July 3. 1850.
[Footnote 8: "Ubi primum exissent _Ep. Ob. V._ miro Monachorum applausu
exceptæ sunt apud Britannos a Franciscanis ac Dominicanis, qui sibi
persuadebant, eas in Reuchlini contumeliam, et Monachorum favorem, serio
proditus: quamque quidam egregie doctus, sed nasutissimus, fingeret se
nonnihil offendi stylo, consulati sunt hominem."--_Erasm. Epist._ 979.]
_Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum_.--Your Querist H.B.C. (Vol. ii., pp.
55-57.) will find, in the 53rd vol. _Edinb. Rev._ p. 180., a long
article on these celebrated letters, containing much of the information
required. It is worthy of remark, that in page 195. we are told
"In 1710 there was printed in London the _most elegant_ edition
that has ever appeared of these letters, which the editor, Mich.
Mattaire, gravely represents as the productions of their
ostensible authors."
Now this edition, though neat, has no claim to be termed most elegant,
which is hardly to be reconciled with what the reviewer says in a note,
p. 210., "that the text of this ed. of 1710 is of no authority, and
swarms with typographical blunders."
The work on its first appearance produced great excitement, and was
condemned by Pope Leo X. See _Dict. des Livres Condamnés, &c._, par
Peignot, tom. ii. p. 218.
Many amusing anecdotes and notices are to be found in Bayle's _Dict_.
See particularly sub nomine Erasmus. Burton, in his _Anatomy of Mel._
pt. i. sec. 2. Mem 3 sub 6. citing Jovius in Elogiis, says,
"Hostratus cucullatus adeo graviter ob Reuchlini librum qui
inscribitur, Epistolæ Obscurorum Virorum dolore simul et pudore
sauciatus, et scipsum interfecerit."
See also _Nouv. Diction. Historique_ in the account of Gratius, O.
There is also a good article on these letters in a very excellent work
entitled _Analectabiblion_, or _Extraits Critique de divers Livres
rares, &c., tiréz du Cabinet du Marq. D. R. (oure)_. Paris, 1836. 2
tomes 8vo.