Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/85

 Germany before the Protestant Revolt 47 The prosecution and trial of Reuchlin created a great deal of excitement in Germany among literary men. In March, 15 14, Reuchlin had published a collection of the letters of sympathy which he had received, under the title, Letters of Distinguislied Men, addressed to John Reuchlin. These suggested to Crotus Rubeanus, a famous humanist at Erfurt, and his friends a method of attacking the theological party by means of a series of letters purporting to be written to the above-mentioned Ortuin Gratius by his simple admirers and disciples. The modest title, Letters of Obscure Men, recommended itself as antithetical to that of the boastful collection of the letters of distinguished contemporaries which Reuch- lin had issued. The first series was published in 15 15, and the second series, in which Ulrich von Hutten doubtless had a hand, in 1 5 1 7. •The bad Latin, the fruitless quibbles, the naive con- fessions of habitual looseness of life, and the hate which the theologians bore towards Reuchlin and the whole tribe of humanists, form the chief interest and the ever- recurring themes of the letters. The wit is in turn good, bad, and indifferent. The general conception of the work is perhaps its most delicately humorous feature. Henricus Schaffsmulius to Master Ortuin Gratius, many salu- 238. Ex- tations: amples of ii the Letters oj When I first went to the Curia you told me that I should obscure Men. write to you frequently and address any theological ques- tions to you, for you wished to answer them more satisfac- torily than could those about the papal court at Rome. I, therefore, wish now to ask your opinion in the case of one who should on Friday, which is the sixth day, or upon any other fast day, eat an egg in which there is a chick. For we were recently dining at an inn in the Campo Fiore, and were