RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C.C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 224, 10 September 1878, Page 2

RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C.C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

-4 Third Course—General Subject : Great Teachers and Systems of Education. Lecture IV. —Subject — Education under the Tudors. The Florentine Schools and their influence on English education. Savonarola, Erasmus, Colet, More. The starting point for the present lecture was stated to be the capture of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453, an event which, though thought at the time to be a great disaster to Europe, proved the greatest possible benefit. The monksibeing compelled to leave their monasteries in Constantinople, as the Turks had no sympathy with Christianity, migrated westward, carrying with them long buried valuable MSS., and Greek scholars settled in all the chief European cities. Soon these hidden manuscripts became

better known through the art of printing, and no longer did the complaint exist of want of materials for teaching. Florence became greatly benefited by the capture of Constantinople; and when Italy became divided, together with Venice, it formed a great republic. Venice became a very aristocratic, and Florence a democratic com. try. During the period when the family of the Medici rose to such great power in Florence, Florence became the home of science and art Here was founded the Platonic Academy, having at its head Ficino, the most renowned Greek scholar of the day, with Pico and other celebrated scholars associated with him. About this time flourished Savonarola. Born at Ferrara, in 1452, disappointed in youth, he became a monk, and entered the Dominican Monastery at Bologna. Seven years later he entered Florence, became a fervid, popular preacher, and attracted great attention by his exposition of the Book of Revelations. The great Cathedral of Florence became filled with attracted worshippers, and so great was his influence that shops were closed while he was preaching to crowds in the streets. He inveighed fearlessly and boldly against popular abuses and errors, and preached what were then thoroughly radical views of religion. At that time vice abounded in high places. The Pope, Alexander VI, was a very wicked man, whose character was stained by every species of crime, and who, to silence Savonarola, tried, but without success, to influence him by the offer of Cardinal's hat. Savonarola's influence in Florence was very great. Urging the populace to vow a renunciation of the wicked world, he persuaded them to bring out to him their valuables, which he condemned to the flames He was brought to , trial by Pope Alexander VI, who demanded that he should deny Christ. He first refused, then consented, but afterwards came to a better mind, and died by fire. He was a man of extremely excitable temperament, and in the work of education of the people was carried away by enthusiasm. Florence became a great centre of attraction to English students, who, while there drank deeply of the spirit of Savonarola, and returned home resolved to effect a reformation in Church affairs. Among the most famous of these students were Grotius, Linacre, and Colet. Grotius became tutor to Prince Arthur, son of Henry VIII. Linacre studied medicine, and introduced the same study in the University of Oxford. Colet was the most remarkable. He was the son of Sir J. Colet, thrice Lord Mayor of London. He was born in 1466, and was the youngest of twenty-two childrdn, all of whom, excepting himself, died in early years. Saddened by the loss of his brothers and sisters, he refused opportunities of advancement in the Church, and went to Florence to study, having an utter contempt of English monastic learning. He afterwards diligently pursued his studies of Greek and English. His great object was to overthrow the scholastic teaching, and persuade men to study the bible for themselves, urging , that salvation is there clearly revealed. He condemned the dog Katin of the Monks, tried to improve it, and wrote in English instead of Latin. Colet returned to Oxford in 1796, and lectured upon the Epistle to the Romans, contending that it should be understood in its plain sense. One of the pupils at this time was Master Thomas More, son of Sir John More, a London merchant, a lad of great abilities. With Master More was associated a Dutch scholar, Erasmus, who, at one time longed to go to Florence to learn Greek. He could not afford the expense, and by advice, went to Oxford, where he found all he wanted. In 1505 Colet was appointed Dean of St. Paul's, after which St. Paul's became very influential. Here he founded St. Paul's school, under his own supervision, for the purpose of inaugurating at better system of education.