The Colloquies of Erasmus. in Two Volumes. [All the Familiar Colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus, of Roterdam, Concerning Men, Manners, and Things, Translated into English.]

xxvi, 464; 467 pp. 8vo. Original purple cloth, blind-stamped borders and decorations, gilt titles and rules on spine. 63 colloquies translated from the original Latin by N. Bailey with a preface and a life of Erasmus. This text is taken from the 1725 edition and edited with notes by the Rev. E. Johnson, M.A. One of the many works of the philosopher and Catholic theologian known as the 'Prince of Christian Humanists.' Published in 1518, the pages 'held up contemporary religious practices for examination in a more serious but still pervasively ironic tone' (Coffin/Stacey, Western Civilizations). Christian Humanists viewed Erasmus as their leader in the early 16th century. Erasmus' works had greater meaning to those learned few who had a larger knowledge of Latin and Greek. Colloquies in Latin means a formal written dialogue, thus in his book Erasmus explores man's reaction to others in conversations. The Colloquies is a collection of dialogues on a wide variety of subjects. They began in the late 1490s as informal Latin exercises for Erasmus' own pupils. In about 1522 he began to perceive the possibilities this form might hold for continuing his campaign for the gradual enlightenment and reform of all Christendom. Between that date and 1533 twelve new editions appeared, each larger and more serious than the last, until eventually some fifty individual colloquies were included ranging over such varied subjects as war, travel, religion, sleep, beggars, funerals, and literature. All of these works were in the same graceful, easy style and gentle humor that made them continually sought as schoolboy exercises and light reading for generations.