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584 APPENDIX II which is confirmed by a manuscript chronicle™ of P. C, Bockenberg (1548-1617) in which it is stated that Erasmus entered Steyn in 1487, made his profession in 1488, and celebrated his first mass in 1492. The following dates may therefore be given for this period of his life: 28 Oct. 1466? Born at Rotterdam. 1470? To school at Gouda. To Utrecht as a chorister. 1475-1484. At Deventer. Apr. 1484? Meeting with Rudolph Agricola. 1484-7. At Hertogenbosch. 1487. Enters Steyn. 1488. Makes his profession. A full treatment of this period of Erasmus’ life may shortly be expected in M. Léon Dorez’ Erasme au monastère de Steyn, which is now in the press. APPENDIX III THE LETTERS TO SERVATIUS, FRANCIS, AND SASBOUD Ir is not clear whether these letters are to be regarded as genuine documents or whether they are merely epistolary exercises on simple themes, such as those exhibited in the De Conscribendis Epistolis’, interchanged between Erasmus and his friends for the sake of practice in Latin composition. The latter interpretation is the easier, but if they are taken as genuine, they may be divided into two groups. The first, Epp. 4-9, shows Erasmus under the influence of a sentimental affection for Servatius, and pining for his society, which the regulations of the monastery made it difficult for him to enjoy. Such weakness is hardly consistent with the self-mastery shown in the untiring industry with which Erasmus throughout his life devoted himself to study and to the advancement of good learning. But there is a considerable resemblance in tone between these letters and those to Grey at a later period (Epp. 58 etc.), and a further reason for regarding them as genuine may be found in Erasmus admission made in later life of certain early indiscretions, ‘ voluptatibus, etsi quondam fui inclinatus, nunquam seruiui’; the intention of ‘ voluptates ’ being made plain by the subsequent statement, ‘crapulam et ebrietatem semper horrui fugique?’ It may be noticed that this admission was made in a letter to Servatius, from whom under the circumstances concealment would be impossible ; that the letter was never published by Erasmus; and that when it appeared in print a few years before his death, he endeavoured to disown it*. There is 5 Quoted by H. van R(yn) in Hist. 2 Ep. 296. 53-5 and note. van t Utrechische Bisdom, (1719), ii. 319. 3 Lond. xxvii. 22, LB. 1265 ; see Ep. 1 See Ep. 71. 296 introd.
