the extreme expression of a temper which was rapidly spreading, and which
gave occasion, among other things to the following reflection in Erasmus.
"Oh, strange vicissitudes of human things," exclaims he. "Heretofore the
heart of learning was among such as professed religion. Now, while they for
the most part give themselves up, _ventri luxui pecuniæque_, the love of
learning is gone from them to secular princes, the court and the nobility.
May we not justly be ashamed of ourselves? The feasts of priests and
divines are drowned in wine, are filled with scurrilous jests, sound with
intemperate noise and tumult, flow with spiteful slanders and defamation of
others; while at princes' tables modest disputations are held concerning
things which make for learning and piety."

A letter to Thomas Cromwell from his son's tutor will not be without
interest on this subject; Cromwell was likely to have been unusually
careful in his children's training, and we need not suppose that all boys
were brought up as prudently. Sir Peter Carew, for instance, being a boy at
about the same time, and giving trouble at the High School at Exeter, was
led home to his father's house at Ottery, coupled between two
foxhounds.[56] Yet the education of Gregory Cromwell is probably not far
above what many young men of the middle and higher ranks were beginning to
receive. Henry Dowes was the tutor's name, beyond which fact I know nothing
of him. His letter is as follows:--

"After that it pleased your mastership to give me in charge, not only to
give diligent attendance upon Master Gregory, but also to instruct him with
good letters, honest manners, pastyme of instruments, and such other
qualities as should be for him meet and convenient, pleaseth it you to
understand that for the accomplishment thereof I have endeavoured myself by
all ways possible to excogitate how I might most profit him. In which
behalf, through his diligence, the success is such as I trust shall be to