New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-23
SOCIAL LIFE OF slR TaOs. MORE.
a LECTURE,
BY Rev. C c. Pssr. of Brooklyn.

night IL the StuyFeSGht institute before an atten-
tive and respectable audience. by Rev. c. c. Pise
of Brooklyn-subjeet The Social lie Of Sir
Thomas More The reverend lecturer on being
presented proceeded to deliver his lecture, of
which the following IS On abstract: BE said the
subject of this discourse will present an exquisite
model of domestic virtues, the character OF per
feet father as exhibited in his household relations
Sir Thomas More very name is fraught with inter
est and hallowed by allthe virtues which bartender
sacred the memory OF man. he was distinguished
no less for his virtues than for his extraordinary
accomplishments and genius which shed around
him the halo OF Immortality. He comes down
to our own times admirable for his piety, wit,
learning, genius and eloquence. poet, phi
losopher g statesman, Christian and martyr it
will be my purpose in this present lecture to dwell
on those great abilities and virtues which ob.
tanned for him these justly deserved titles. My
object is to hold up to your view the model Of
truly great and good man possessing ali the quail
ties of pure and lofty character which elevate
him to closer resemblance to celestial beings.
1t was in the year of our Lord 1910 that this
extraordinary man was born. His father, iSr
John More is thus described by his own pen;
"a man courteous and pleasant in his manners,
gentle and full of compassion, just, uncorrupt.
Through the influence of his father, SIR Thomas
More, he became an inmate in the house of Car
dnal Morten, the most highly valued and favored
Minister of Henry VII. This illustrious eccle-
siastic is thus described by More:
He was not less venerable for his wisdom and
virtue than for the high character he bore He
Ct ONE
SAGE in speech he was firm, eloquent and learn
ed Of law he had profound knowledge; IN
wit he was Incompatible, and In memory pro-
digious'
On the demise of Elizabeth More, though but
sixteen years of age, gave high promise of
poetical excellence in poem written on the oc'
cason, entitled A Ruefu Lamentations 1t is
said that he was one of the greatest wits that
England has ever produced; and it affords me 40
small pleasure to have it in my power to INFORM
Won that this great man did not deem it unworthy
of his high position to stand before public
audience in the character OF lecturer, tor history
tells US that he delivered a series of lectures on
the immortal work of st. Augustin, entitled " The
City of Goo"
The lady whom Sir Thomas More selected for
his wife vas the eldest daughter of Sir John Cole
Her name was Jane, and it is more than probable
that to her, under the appellation OF 6 Eliza, he
addressed Ii attn poem, pronounced by Judges
the most elegant production OF the Slxteenth Cen
tury. She lived but seven years after her mar
riaee leaving a son and three daughters, OF whom
Margaret seems to have been the favorlte de
afterward married a widow with one child. me
hours not employed in the dull and rlgld duties OF
his professional life were occupied In studying
the French language, and at times he amused
himself in playing on the violin. lie also devoted
much of his time to Arithmetic Geometry, AS
tronomy and History, all of which he easily &C
ouired a knowledge of with the aid OF wonder,
fully retentive memory. would had as good
wit and as much learning as | have memory, tor
that never taileth me, said he. During his leisure
hours he also composed several excellent works
A little volume of epigrams which he published,
were widely circulated and greatly praised They
are worthy of the fame of the most accomplished
classical scholar of the present day. One iudi-
crous poem excited extraordinary sensation
it was entitled How Sergeant may become
Friar"
Erasmus describes his mansion neither mean
nor calculated to excite envy, but magnificent
withal His hosptabe door was ever open, III.
yiting the weary and the poor to enter and par
take of bis liberal charity. There was nothing IN
the world that pleased him so much as doing good
to bis neighbour either with his counsel or his mo-
new His great delight was to reconcile those VINO
were at variance with each other lie would
sometimes ramble through bye.lanes, giving aims
and comforting the needy. His house was the re-
sort of the most learned men OF his time, and by
none. saws Erasmus, is friendship more readily
formed, more diligently cultivated, and more
steadfastly maintained.
An enemy to all gaming and other low amuse
noents. his leisure hours were sometimes passed
in conversation with circle OF friends, throughout
which his own poteness ditfused itself. In one
word" SAWS Erasmus. if you seek perfect
nattern Of a friend YOU may find it in More. With
what gentleness he exclaims, does my Trend
More regulate his household He never lnttlcted
coruoreal chastisement on his servants II there
was occasion for Gliding them 1t was done IN so
mild manner as to make hm more beloved
Erasmus though devoid of his tender senslbllty
and more prone to smile than sigh at the tolles OF
men could not but be touched by the conduct OF
More in his domestic relations
The reverend lecturer here read eulogy oil
Sir Thomas More by Erasmus, after which ne
smoke of the recreatons III which he INDUCED.
70 his honse was attached an extensive garden,
where he amused himself like some of the great
eat men of antiquity y portion OF this garden
was allotted to each OF his servants, when
thew cultivated and the profits OF which were
literally bestowed on them by their generous
master As proof of their attachments 70 MN
when the intelligence OF his deatn reacheu 'u9u'
"their quarters as it is quantity written
sounded with lamentations" 1t IS related OF MIN
that although singulary inattentlye TO ms own Owl
comfort and convenience, he was extremely SON
citous with regard to the wants OF others s None
knew better than he how to give wei timed re-,
buke or sautary advice. IL must ho' oo -
ed the that he was o1er sbe
to his religious da s household %sf The prevailing
tb6ngbt with which his mind was ABSORBED III sLe
n4 3s5 of T his wordy Occupations was his duty to
a ans t[gaos the business of the day with
s h: s, +, aas s e9 sasRs'9 PSALM, Has
mo!nn5 SEE DC. rsed from book into which they
F.d haan neatly copied During Holy week it was
b hau variable custom to have the passion Of
tals onportunity to explain portions of it to his
children. In the evening he retired with his
household to his chapel, where they all partlclpat'
ed in devotional exercises.
CO He L. never undertook any business of import
enre-for instance, when he was sent as Am
a-.. - - s..a;r-ui.hn first receiving the