CHAP. XII. This was the Institutio Principis Christiani' of 6 was writing his Utopia,' but printed in August 1516, V. MORE COMPLETES HIS UTOPIA '—THE INTRODUCTORY More's Introduction was still unwritten, and the 2 1 On August 5 he seems to On August 17 he writes from again on August 22. Eras. Epist. 2 Erasmus to Ammonius: Epist. Probably, however, it was arranged between them CHAP.XII. that it should be completed and printed with as little A.D.1516, delay as possible at the same press and in the same type and form as Erasmus's work. sent to the The manuscript was accordingly sent after Erasmus ‹ Utopia' in October, and by him and Peter Giles at once placed in the hands of Thierry Martins for publication at Louvain.2 6 This long delay in the completion of the Utopia' had been caused by a concurrence of circumstances. More had been closely occupied by public matters, in addition to his judicial duties in the city, and a large private practice at the bar-a combination of pressing engagements likely to leave him but little leisure for literary purposes. Even when the daily routine of public labours was completed, there were domestic duties which it was not in his nature to neglect. He was passionately fond of his home, and reckoned the enjoyment of his family a necessary part of the business of the man who does not wish to be a stranger in his own house.'3 Nor did the Utopia' itself suffer from the delay in its publication. Instead of losing its freshness it gained in interest and point; for, as it happened, the introductory book was written under circumstances which gave it a peculiar value which it could not otherwise have had. On More's return to England from his foreign mission, he had been obliged to throw himself again into Eras. Epist. lxxxvii. App. and ccxviii. Brewer, ii. 2409. 2 Erasmus Ægidio: Epist. cccxlv. November 18, 1518. The mention (see Epist. ccxviii; Brewer, 2409), 3 Letter from More to Peter of St. Jerome as not yet finished | Giles, prefixed to 'Utopia.' press. CHAP. XII. the vortex of public business. The singular discretion A.D. 1516. and ability displayed by him in the conduct of the delicate negotiations entrusted to his charge on this and another occasion, had induced Henry VIII. to try to attach him to his court. More declines to Royal service. Hitherto he had acted more on behalf of the London enter the merchants than directly for the King. Now Wolsey was ordered to retain him in the King's service. More was unwilling, however, to accede to the proposal, and made excuses. Wolsey, thinking no doubt that he shrank from relinquishing the emoluments of his position as undersheriff, and the income arising from his practice at the bar, offered him a pension, and suggested that the King could not, consistently with his honour, offer him less than the income he would relinquish by entering his service. More wrote to Erasmus that he had declined the pension, and thought he should continue to do so; he preferred, he said, his present judicial position to a higher one, and was afraid that were he to accept a pension without relinquishing it, his fellow-citizens would lose their confidence in his impartiality in case any questions were to arise, as they sometimes did, between them and the Crown. The fact that he was indebted to the King for his pension might make them think him a little the less true to their cause. Wolsey reported More's refusal to the King, who it seems honourably declined to press him further at present. Such, however, was More's popularity in the city, and the rising estimation in which he was held, that it was evident the King would 2 3 1 Roper, pp. 9, 10. Eras. Op. iii. pp. 474, 476. 2 More to Erasmus: Eras. Epist. ccxxvii. 3 Roper, 10. A.D. 1516. not rest until he had drawn him into his service-yes, CHAP. XII. dragged,' exclaims Erasmus, for no one ever tried 'harder to get admitted to court than he did to keep ' out of it.' 1 Introduc to explain sons. As the months of 1516 went by, More, feeling that Writes the his entry into Royal service was only a question of tory Book time, determined, it would seem, to take the oppor- his reatunity, while as yet he was free and unfettered, to insert in the introduction to his unfinished 'Utopia' still more pointed allusion to one or two matters relating to the social condition of the country and the policy of Henry VIII.; also at the same time to make some public explanation of his reluctance to enter the service of his sovereign. The prefatory book which More now added to his description of the commonwealth of Utopia was arranged so as to introduce the latter to the reader in a way likely to attract his interest, and to throw an air of reality over the romance. ment. More related how he had been sent as an ambassador More's imaginary to Flanders in company with Tunstal, to compose some story. important disputes between Henry VIII. and Prince Charles. They met the Flemish ambassadors at Bruges. They had several meetings without coming to an agreeWhile the others went back to Brussels to consult their prince, More went to Antwerp to see his friend Peter Giles. One day, coming from mass, he saw Giles talking to a stranger-a man past middle Meets Raphael. age, his face tanned, his beard long, his cloak hanging carelessly about him, and wearing altogether the aspect of a seafaring man. Erasmus to Hutten: Epist. ccccxlvii. Eras. Op. iii. p. 476, B. CHAP. XII. More then related how he had joined in the conA.D. 1516. Versation, which turned upon the manners and habits Why Ra phael will not enter into Royal service. of the people of the new lands which Raphael (for that was the stranger's name) had visited in voyages he had recently taken with Vespucci. After he had told them how well and wisely governed were some of these newly-found peoples, and especially the Utopians, and here and there had thrown in just criticisms on the defects of European governments, Giles asked the question, why, with all his knowledge and judgment, he did not enter into Royal service, in which his great experience might be turned to so good account? Raphael expressed in reply his unwillingness to enter into Royal servitude. Giles explained that he did not mean any servitude' at all, but honourable service, in which he might confer great public benefits, as well as increase his own happiness. The other replied that he did not see how he was to be made happier by doing what would be so entirely against his inclinations. Now he was free to do as he liked, and he suspected very few courtiers could say the same. Here More put in a word, and urged that even though it might be against the grain to Raphael, he ought not to throw away the great influence for good which he might exert by entering the council of some great prince. Raphael replied that his friend More was doubly mistaken. His talents were not so great as he supposed, and if they were, his sacrifice of rest and peace would be thrown away. It would do no good, for nearly all princes busy themselves far more in military affairs (of which, he said, he neither had, nor wished to have, any experience), than in the good arts of peace. They care a great deal more how, by fair means or foul, |