in the Greek and Latin tongues, and in other sciences, as well as in his own profession of medicine, he was esteemed the ornament of his age. By his endeavours Galen speaks better Latin in the translation than he did Greek in the original;[1] and Aristotle shines not more in his Attic than in his Latin garb."[2]
"In private life he had a detestation of everything that was dishonourable; he was a faithful friend, and was valued and beloved by all ranks in life. He showed a remarkable kindness to young students in the medical profession; and those whom he found distinguished for ingenuity, modesty, learning, good manners, or a desire to excel, he assisted with his advice, his interest, and his purse.[3] In short" (to use the words of Dr. Friend) "he was, in his own time, reckoned by the best judges a man of bright genius and a clear understanding, as well as of unusual knowledge in different parts of learning; and his works, which are now extant, will fully satisfy us that he deserved this character. He was one who, both living and dead, by his writings and benefactions, has done great honour not only to his profession but also to his country." Linacre was evidently a lover of nature, and it is reported of him that he first brought into England that prince of flowers, the damask rose.[4]
- ↑ Fuller's Worthies.
- ↑ Letters of Erasmus :— "Tandem apud nos præstare capiy Galenus a Linacro versus, qui mihi supra modum placet. Posthac et medicum fieri juvat. Mitto dono libros Galeni operâ Linacri melius Romane loquentes quam antea Græce loquebantur." (Erasmi Epistolæ apud Froben, p. 363.) "Apud Britannos studio Thomæ Linacri sic nuper disertus cæpit esse Galenus, ut in suâ linguâ parum disertus videri possit, Ejusdem operâ sic Latine legitur Aristoteles, ut licet Atticus vix in suo sermone parem habeat gratiam." (Ibid. Lib. 15, Ep. 17, p. 494.)
- ↑ The anonymous editor of Linacre's translation of Galen de Symptomatibus gives the following encomium of the translator:— "Linacrus—vir ut utriusque linguæ doctissimus ita reconditarum artium cum primis eruditus: qui studiosos omnes [dum vixerat] ad meliorem illam mentem non modo adhortabatur verum etiam maximis muneribus et fovere et alere solebat ut non immerito tanquam alter Mæcenas doctis hominibus haberetur."
- ↑ Hasted's Kent, vol. iv. p. 743 note.
