53. LEGERE] When the narrator is an eyewitness, the present infinitive is usual, even of past time. 80. RHOMPHAEA] a sword; the Septuagint word. 97. OMNIIUGA] This word is not classical; but _multiiugus_, 'manifold' (literally, of many yoked together, cf. _biiugus_, _quadriiugus_), is common. 110. QUID] 'for what purpose?' 129. ID GENUS] An adjectival accusative, equivalent to genitive of quality; cf. virile secus. 133. CULMI] The stalks of Cain's fine crops. VIII [A letter to an English friend, Robert Fisher, who had been a pupil of Erasmus in Paris in 1497 and had then gone to study law in Italy.] 4. IN EA...REGIONE] Italy was at this time regarded as being, and in fact was, more advanced than the rest of Europe in classical learning and refinement. In consequence to visit Italy was the ambition of every scholar. SIS] In classical Latin when two reasons are given, of which one is denied and the other affirmed, the verb in the affirmation is usually in the indicative. 26. Wm. Grocin (c. 1416-1519) was one of the first to teach Greek in Oxford. He was now resident in London. 28. Thos. Linacre (c. 1460-1524) was an Oxford scholar who had recently returned from Italy and was now in London. He afterwards became one of the first physicians of his age. IX [A letter describing Erasmus' journey to Paris on his return from England in 1500. On 27 Jan. he was at Dover, whence he crossed to Boulogne. He went then to Tournehem Castle and after spending two nights with Batt set out for Paris. He reached Amiens in the afternoon of 31 Jan., started on with horses the same evening and slept at an unnamed village. On 1 Feb. he passed to the west of Clermont and slept at St. Julien (?), reaching St. Denis and Paris on 2 Feb.] 2. VIGILIAS] Writings, composed doubtless by the 'midnight oil'; in which Erasmus rightly considered his wealth to lie. 7. LUSIMUS] 'met.' 8. CRETIZAVIMUS] 'We behaved like a Cretan.' Cf. the English saying 'to give tit for tat'. Erasmus means that he gave the messenger full measure of conversation in return. 9. ANGLICA FATA] when preparing to leave England Erasmus had £20 in his pocket. But a law of Edward III, re-enacted by Henry VII, forbade the exportation of silver and gold; and in consequence all but £2 was taken from him in the Dover custom-house. This very real calamity he had of course related to Batt at Tournehem. 13. AEOLUM] Cf. III. 5 n. 21. Mercury was the god of traders and thieves. Cf. Ovid. _Fasti_ 5. 673 seq. QUOQUE] _quo[*]que_, not _quo[*]que_. [* i.e. long 'o', not short. Transcriptor.] 26. DIVO IULIANO] There is no village of St. Julien which satisfies the required conditions. Juilly (Iuliacum) between Dammartin and Meaux is perhaps intended. 44. IUGULOS] _iugulum_, neuter, is the common form. 45. VICTIMAE] Predicative Dative of purpose. 51. _obolere_ is only used intransitively in post-Augustan Latin. 55. MECUM] _sc_. reputo. CICERONIANUM] _Brut_. 80. 278.