233 



Mr. Pickermg on the iPronunciation 



^ 



er have called in question the correctness of it, than they would 

 have done that of a Frenchman, or a Grerman, who should have in- 



tructed them in either of their lang 



We find accordingly 



that Erasmus himself, but a short time before he ventured to con- 

 demn the pronunciation of the day, when desirous of obtaining a 



pr®fessor of GPreek for the University of Lourain 

 Lascaris at Constantinople for a native 



Greek 



wrote to John 

 fill that ofGce. 



In his letter to Lascaris, after mentioning the establishment of 

 the College, which was founded at Louvain by the munificence of 

 Busleydeny and informing him, that the Hebrew and Latin profes- 

 sorships were already filled, he adds—" Many persons here are 



seeking for 



Greek professorship. But my opinion has al 



ays been, that we should send for 



Greek, from whom 



the students might at once acquire the genuine pronunciation of 

 the Greek Language ; and this opinion is acceded to by all, who 

 have the management of this business. They have accordingly 



directed me, on their behalf, to send for such 



think qualified for the oflBce 



I should 



Relying, therefore, on your obligf 



disposition towards me, and on your regard for the 



of 



learning, I beg of you, if you know of any person, who in your 

 opinion will do honour to us both, that you would direct him to 

 hasten to this place immediately.'^* 



It will not be uninteresting to the friends of literature, to see the whole of 



this letter; which records, at the same time, the fact I have mentioned, and an 



Illustrious example of liberality in the cause of learning; and, as the collection 



of Erasmus^ Letters is not common in this country, I shall here insert it at large : 



''Joanni Lascari ConstantimpoUtano Erasmus Roierodamus S. D. 



Vir ora 



huj.s r.g„, d.cus i„co,„parabile, in itinere Hispanico moriens, logavit muUa .nil. 

 l.a Uucatorun, ad institutionem novi Collegil apud Lovauiu,n, Acade,niam hac 



