Thurles, Ireland, Jan. 20. 1851.
_Erasmus and Farel_ (Vol. iii., p. 38.).--In my _Life of Calvin_, p. 46., I
mention that Erasmus named Farel, _Phallicus_; and infer that he probably
did so from some manifestation of amorous propensities on the part of that
reformer.
A querist in your last number (J.C.R.) points out that D'Aubigné, or his
translator, spells the word _Fallicus_, and refers it to the deceitful
character of Farel.
_Phallicus_ is a Greek word, and has a meaning--[Greek: phallikos], of or
belonging to the [Greek: phallos]. _Fallicus_, to the best of my knowledge,
is neither Greek nor Latin, and has no meaning. Erasmus, in his epistles,
constantly spells the word _Phallicus_. (See _Epp._ 698. 707. &c. Leyden,
ed. 1706.) And that I was justified in drawing from it an inference which
is in analogy with its meaning, the following passages, in the last of the
epistles just cited, will establish:--
"Hunc stomachum in me concepit (Phallicus) quod in _spongia_ dubitem de
Lutheri spiritu: præterea quod scripserim, quosdam sordidos, et _impuræ
vitæ_ se jactitare nomine Evangelii."