Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/752

738 we may add some further account of MARGARET ROPER, her mother, who, under her maiden name, has been too slightly mentioned; and first,

Erasmus says, "More hath built, at Chelsea, a commodious house, where he converseth affably with his family, his wife, son, and daughter-in-law, his three daughters, and their husbands, with eleven grand-children: there is not any man living so loving to his children as he: and such is the excellence of his temper, that whatsoever happeneth that could not be prevented, he loveth it so as though nothing could happen more happily. You would say, there was in that place Plato's academy; but I do the house an injury, in comparing it to Plato's academy, wherein there were only disputations of numbers and geometrical figures, and sometimes of moral virtues, I should rather call the house a school or university of Christian religion; for there is none therein but readeth or studieth the liberal sciences; their especial care is piety and virtue; there is no quarrelling nor intemperate words heard, none seen idle: which houshold discipline that worthy gentleman doth not govern by proud words, but with all kind and courteous benevolence; every body performeth his duty, yet is there always alacrity: neither is sober mirth any thing wanting, &c."

Mrs. Roper had a ready wit, a quick conception, tenacious memory, a fine imagination, and was very happy in her sentiments and way of expressing herself upon all occasions. Under the tuition of learned masters, she became a perfect mistress of the Greek and Latin tongues, and well acquainted with philosophy, astronomy, physic, arithmetic, logic, rhetoric, and music. The