As, however, we have no direct record of the connection between George Halluin and Busbecq, the probabilities, which in this case seem to amount to certainty, must be set before the reader. (1) Busbecq was born at Comines, and passed his earlier years at his father’s house, two miles from Comines. (2) Though Jean Despauteres was dead, the school at Comines under his pupils maintained its high reputation. (3) George Halluin was a great patron of scholars, and had the finest library in Flanders. (4) The Busbecq family, as has been already shown, had made constant alliances with the Halluins; moreover, not only were they their nearest neighbours, but they had also been brought into close relations by the positions that George and Gilles Ghiselin and Jeanne de la Clite had severally occupied in the Burgundian Court. (5) Busbecq’s father was on intimate terms with George Halluin, hawking and feasting with him (see _infra_, page 39). Taking all these points into consideration, is it probable that Busbecq’s father, the neighbour, relative, fellow seigneur, and intimate friend of George Halluin, would fail to consult him as to the education of his scholar son? Erasmus, it is to be remembered, writing of these days, says that all the noblemen were anxious to give their sons a good education, but that George Halluin was the only member of the Court circle who was himself a scholar. Is it likely, therefore, that Busbecq’s father, having such a man at his door, went elsewhere for advice? Then there is the other side. Busbecq’s writings will show that he was formed in the mould of George Halluin. A Latin scholar of exquisite taste and wide reading, a student of many different subjects; in religion a reformer within the pale of the Church, desiring comprehension and objecting to schism; in short, a follower of George Halluin and a follower of Erasmus. At the end of Busbecq’s fourth Turkish letter will be found a distinct reference to the life which George Halluin led, as his _beau idéal_ of earthly happiness. His wants are summed up thus—a quiet home, a good garden, a few friends, and plenty of books. This was the lot which George Halluin deliberately chose: this the life which Busbecq would fain have led. The following epitaph was engraved on George Halluin’s tomb:— Munera qui sprevit aulæ fumosa superbæ Pro dulci Aonidum ludo et sudore Minervæ, Nec tamen abstinuit regum, si quando vocatus, Conciliis, gravibus consultans publica dictis, Nec patriæ duros sudanti Marte labores Defuit, et neutram contempsit tempore laudem. Qui, quos antiqua populos ditione tenebat, Legibus instituit, fuerant ut tempora, sanctis. Comminii genetrix, Halewini cui pater arcem Jure dedit prisca majorum laude regendam, Ejus habes clausos cineres hoc marmore, mentem Pronus ei precibus commenda, siste viator, Æternum cineres faciat qui vivere rursus. Of which the following is a free translation.