Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/136

 124 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE of mind and his eloquence ; and the zealous Church reformer, Christopher von Utenheim. The theologian, Johann Matthias von Gengenbach, who, in the year 1474, was called to occupy the first chair of poetry and the fine arts in Germany, was also a member of this circle. The archdeacon, Johann Bergman, from Olpe, in Westphalia, proved himself the disinterested and generous protector of Heynlin and his Humanistic friends. At his own expense he started a printing press for bringing out popular editions of the works of Brant, Eeuchlin, and Wimpheling, beautifully got up, and in many cases illustrated with excellent woodcuts. In this undertaking he was seconded by the printer, Jean Amerbach, who in turn received much valuable assist- ance from Heynlin, formerly his teacher in Paris. After a busy career Heynlin retired to the Carthu- sian monastery of St. Margarethenthal, in the valley of St. Margaret, in 1487, and spent the last nine years of his life in prayer and literary work. In this period of seclusion he published editions of nearly all the works of Augustine, Ambrose, and Jerome, be- sides introductions to and summaries of several of Cicero's works. His treatises on the philosophy of Aristotle show his familiarity with the system of Stagirites, for the better general understanding of which he was solicitous. A work of his on the Mass went through twenty different editions in the course of twelve years, in Eome, Cologne, Strasburg, Basle, Leipsic, and elsewhere. ' Like a brave crusader,' writes Wimpheling concern- ing him, ' he was always ready armed for the fight, and he fought man) 7, a hard battle, but his heart was ever inclined for peace. His work was abundantly blessed.