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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 learn¬
ing. 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 admis¬
sion made in later life of certain early indiscretions, ‘ voluptatibus, etsi
quondam fui inclinatus, nunquam seruiui’; the intention of ‘ volup¬
tates ’ 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.