Notes and Queries, Number 38, July 20, 1850 by Various
page 38 of 67 (56%)
page 38 of 67 (56%)
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"We must not look for the delicate apprehension and tact, which can only be formed in a highly polished state of society, nor for the indignation of insulted morality expressed by the ancients: it is altogether a caricature, not of finished individual portraits, but of a single type;--a clownish sensual German priest, his intellect narrowed by stupid wonder and fanatical hatred, who relates with silly _naïveté_ and gossiping confidence the various absurd and scandalous situations into which he falls. These letters are not the work of a high poetical genius, but they have truth, coarse strong features of resemblance, and vivid colouring." Ranke mentions another satire, which appeared in March, 1520, directed against John Eck, the opponent of Luther, the latter being regarded in the light of a successor of Reuchlin, under the title of _Abgehobelte Eck_, or _Eccius dedolatus_, "which, for fantastic invention, striking and crushing truth, and Aristophanic wit, far exceeded the _Literæ Obsc. V._, which it somewhat resembled." I have not yet been able to meet with this; but such high praise, from so judicious a critic, makes me very desirous to see and peruse it. S.W. Singer. Mickleham, July 3. 1850. [Footnote 8: "Ubi primum exissent _Ep. Ob. V._ miro Monachorum applausu exceptæ sunt apud Britannos a Franciscanis ac Dominicanis, qui sibi persuadebant, eas in Reuchlini contumeliam, et Monachorum favorem, serio proditus: quamque quidam egregie doctus, sed nasutissimus, fingeret se |
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