THE LIFE OF THOMAS BODLEY

...and the heat and impulse of the soul often cools through lack of use. Yet Bodley’s natural talent was not only unfazed by the passage of time, but even by the misfortune of his parents, the change of land, and the weariness of a long journey. These losses, however, were abundantly repaired by the city of Geneva, which was filled with learned men and an Academy The Academy of Geneva, founded by John Calvin in 1559. established a few years prior. He arrived in that city at the age of twelve; at that age, he was considered a fit listener for Chevalier Antoine Rodolphe Chevalier, a famous Hebrew scholar., Beraldus, Calvin, Beza, and other Professors of that Academy. This is indeed so remarkable that I would neither believe it myself nor commend it to the belief of others, had not Bodley (a man otherwise grave and serious) inserted it into the commentaries on his own life, written in his extreme old age. He modestly attributed this unusual maturity to his father's diligence; yet such success could happen to no one unless they were imbued with a great readiness of wit. By his example, we understand how far those err who think the education of children should be deferred to more robust years. We see how much the earliest age is worth for grasping disciplines, if only it is handled prudently—that is, neither loosened by the indulgence of parents, nor broken by untimely severity, nor corrupted by long periods of idleness. Besides the public lecturers, he also had private teachers who lived with him at the house of his host, Philibert Saracen, a physician of that city. Among others, Robert Constantin explained Homer to him—the man whose name is celebrated for the Lexicon The Lexicon Graeco-Latinum, a massive Greek dictionary. which he compiled with singular industry from Greek authors.

In such a manner did he lay the foundations of literature. While he was zealously and securely devoted to these studies, Queen Mary died. Elizabeth, her sister and heir to the Kingdom, restored the former Religion Protestantism. and opened a safe and pleasant return for the exiles. For it could not be doubted that the Queen would embrace them with a peculiar affection, as she had not only given the clearest signs of her goodwill toward Protestants but had often faced the danger of death in their common cause. Therefore, once this change of affairs was reported, they flew home in swarms; along with the others came John Bodley, his wife, and their household. The eldest son had now reached fourteen years of age, instructed in the experience of things and in literature far beyond his years.

In the following year, having set out for Oxford, he was admitted to the College of the Blessed Mary Magdalene, and committed by his father to the care of Lawrence Humphrey, Doctor of Divinity. For Humphrey, during the reign of Mary, had also lived as an exile in Germany; having returned, he was appointed President of his College on account of his supreme learning and, because of his great merits toward the Church, was made the Regius Professor of Divinity.

Under this Governor, Bodley spent four years in study. After the four-year period, he took the Degree of Bachelor of Arts; in that same year, he was elected a Fellow of Merton College. We mentioned above that he had Constantin as a master in Greek literature. Through Constantin's precepts and his own diligence, he achieved an accurate knowledge of that language. And lest he should seem to have learned it in vain, two years after he was co-opted into that society Meaning the fellowship of Merton College., he began a Greek Lecture in the Public Hall, yielding to the prayers of his friends who best knew how much he could achieve in that field.

At first, he received no reward for his labor except the pleasure of doing good, until the Fellows, having seen his industry, decided that four marks A mark was a unit of currency worth two-thirds of a pound sterling. should be paid to him annually. At the same time, realizing how much utility the youth would receive from that instruction, they willed that the lecture should be permanent, with a respectable salary provided.

In the twenty-second year of his age, he was made a Master of Arts. Then, pursuing private studies, after nearly three years he became a candidate for the office of Proctor.

To which office, in those times, men were nominated from the whole University by the votes of the whole University. He achieved this honor—which usually sought with great contention—with no one resisting him. Thus it appears that his favor and eminence forestalled all others' hopes for this dignity.

Having finished his duty as Proctor, he spent five continuous years in the study of various arts and sciences. He did not devote himself to any one of these outstandingly beyond the others, as if setting his mind toward a single specific profession, but cultivated them all moderately. For he had already decided to place all his effort into the administration of civil affairs. Toward this goal, he judged it would be of great use to him both to cultivate his mind with all more refined literature and to learn the histories of former times. For just as a variety of knowledge commends those entering public life to every kind of person, so in expediting the affairs of the State, the examples of other nations and ages produce wonderful confidence and speed. In the span of five years, he drew from books whatever seemed to pertain to his purpose. When this was finished, although he was of a suitable age for administering affairs (for he had reached his thirty-second year), he nevertheless did not wish to involve himself yet in the public business of the kingdom. I believe this was because he considered himself still insufficiently prepared in the knowledge of men, in modern languages, and in the customs of other nations—all of which are highly profitable. These things, however, not...