Page:Elizabeth Elstob - An English-Saxon homily on the birth-day of St. Gregory.djvu/26

 of a Daughter, ascribed to the Author of Telemachus''. And it is no wonder that he, who is so well skill'd in Primitive Antiquity, shou'd in this likewise imitate the Practice of the Primitive Fathers, who were very zealous to encourage good Learning amongst the Ladies: as may be seen by the Epistles of St. Jerom, St. Augustin, St. Chrysostom, and our St. Gregory, to the learned and virtuous Ladies of their times. A Catalogue of such Epistles to excellent Women, by the Holy Fathers, was made and presented to Mr. Astley, by Mr. Roger Ascham, Tutor to the most Illustrious Queen Elizabeth, and born in the same Place that gave Birth to my most learned Friend: as if there were something peculiar in the genius of that Place, not only for the Production of great and learned Men, but such also as have been remarkable for encouraging Learning in our Sex. Mr. Ascham, in recommending this Catalogue, makes this Observation. That by his Enquiry into Matters of that kind, he perceived that Age to have been both most learned, and most happy: in which there were more Women, than there are now Men, celebrated for their Learning.''

But, to come to the Homily upon St. Gregory''. When I had read it over, and transcribed it, I''