MASTER THOMAS BECOMES PROFESSOR
AGAIN--DIES.
[Illustraton: I went on with the printing.]
I therefore went on with the printing, and had a bad time of it, as
also my wife and children; for the children were often obliged to fold
paper till their little fingers bled. But yet my circumstances were
improved; for with the printing alone I was able to gain 200 florins a
year, improve my printing-office and household furniture, and always
found people to advance me money when I wanted it. Notwithstanding,
from various circumstances, I got tired of my business after some
time;--and was also requested from different quarters to become
schoolmaster again: for in a few years they had had I several
schoolmasters, and the school had almost entirely fallen into decay. I
one day called on Mr. Rudolph Frey; he was chief deputy, and constable
in the town. He said, "Pray become schoolmaster; by so doing you will
oblige the council, and serve God and the world." Dr. Grynæus said to
me, "Become schoolmaster! there is no office more heavenly! There is
nothing I would rather be, if only I had not to say a thing twice
over." They went on persuading me, until at last I consented. I got a
salary of 200 florins, of which I had to pay 100 to the assistants; and
thus I turned professor again; but I had to get through a great deal of
disputing with the University, because they did not wish me to be
independent, and to read lectures, the right to which they claimed for
themselves exclusively. When my wife and I had attained a considerable
age, a dreadful sickness came, which spared no age, and also seized us
both. But our heavenly Father allowed us to remain yet a little longer
here below on earth. The Lord grant us grace that it may serve to the
glory of God and salvation of our souls! Amen! And to the glory of God
I cannot conceal, that during the whole of my sickness I did not
experience the least pain; although my wife and others had to bear
great suffering. That also I ascribe to the mercy of God! May he
deliver us all from everlasting torment, through his Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
* * *
The close of this history, which Thomas wrote for his son Felix, runs
as follows: "Now I have, according to your desire, dear son Felix,
written the beginning and continuation of my life up to the present
time, as well as I could remember it after so many years; but certainly
not _all_, for who would be able to do that? for I have often been in
great dangers on the mountains and waters, as on the lakes of Constance
and Lucerne; and others also on the Rhine; likewise on land in Poland,
Hungary, Silesia, Meissen, Swabia, and Bavaria, where in my youth
(besides what is noted in this book) I suffered very much; so that I
often thought, How is it possible that I am still alive, and can stand
or walk so long a time, and have neither broken nor injured a limb? God
protected me by his angels; and however mean my beginning, and however
full of danger my life has been, I have notwithstanding, as you see,
arrived at a tolerably comfortable position; for although I had as good
as nothing of private property, and my wife possessed nothing, still in
time we have arrived at this point, that I, by great application to
business, have acquired, in the town of Basle, four houses, with
tolerable furniture: also, through the blessing of God, possess an
estate with house and farm, besides the official residence at the
school; whilst at first I had not a hut in Basle to afford me refuge.
And, notwithstanding my mean descent, yet God has granted me the honour
of having been now thirty-and-one years professor in the head-school
next the university, in the far famed city of Basle, and of having
instructed the child of many an honourable man, of whom many have
become doctors, or otherwise learned men: several, and indeed not a
few, of the nobility, who now possess and rule over land and people,
and others who sit on the judgment seat, and in the council. Also, at
all times, I have had many boarders, both of noblemen and other people
of consequence, who speak well of me, and shew me all manner of
kindness; so that the worshipful town of Zurich, and other places, have
sent me presents of their wine of honour. Likewise, in Strasburg,
eleven doctors have appeared to my honour, because I brought up my dear
brother Simon, who is preceptor of the second class there. At Sitten,
when they sent me the wine of the city, the curate said, 'This wine the
city of Sitten sends to our dear countryman, Thomas Platter, as to a
father of the children of the province of St. Gall.' What shall I then
say of thee also, Felix, of thy honour and prosperity, that God has
granted thee the honour, that thou hast already lived long and happily
with thy wife, and hast been known to princes and lords, noblemen and
commons. This all, dear Felix, thou wilt acknowledge and own, ascribing
nothing to thyself, but giving God alone honour and glory all thy life
long: thus thou wilt attain to everlasting life.--Written by Thomas
Platter, the 14th of February 1573, the seventy-third year of my age.
God grant me a happy end, through Jesus Christ. Amen."
In the year 1582, the 26th January, my dear father died happily.
Almighty God grant that he may rise again joyfully at the coming of our
Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Dr. Felix Platter.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: Literally "Sharp-Shooters;" but the office is probably the
same as that known still in England by the name of "Fag."]
[Footnote 2: It is still not unusual in Poland, on certain festival
days or public occasions, to strew a sort of reed or coarse grass in
the streets.]
[Footnote 3: The Latin grammar of Ælius Donatus, a famous Latin scholar
and teacher of the 14th century, which was then in general use.]
[Footnote 4: School-Servant in fact.]
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Printed by C. F. Hodgson, 1 Gough Square, London.