ONE THOUSAND FAMOUS THINGS 207
likes to have Ms time to himself. He Is a true friend. When he
finds a man to be of the wrong sort he lets him drop, but he enjoys
nothing so much as the society of those who suit him and whose
character he approves. Gambling of all kinds (bails, dice, and
such like) he detests. None of that sort are to be found about him.
In short, he is the best type of companion.
His talk is charming, full of fun, but never scurrilous or malicious.
He used to act plays when young ; wit delights him, though at Ms
own. expense ; he writes smart epigrams ; he can make fun of any-
thing. He is wise with the wise, and jests with fools—with women
especially, and his wife among them. He is fond of animals of all
kinds, and likes to watch their habits. All the birds in Chelsea come
to him to be fed. He has a menagerie of tame beasts, a monkey, a
fox, a ferret, and a weasel. He buys any singular thing which is
brought to him. His house is a magazine of curiosities, which he
delights in showing off.
He controls his family with the same easy hand : no tragedies,
no quarrels. If a dispute begins it is promptly settled. He has
never made an enemy nor become an enemy. His whole house
breathes happiness, and no one enters it who is not the better for
the visit. He is indifferent to money. He sets apart so much of his
income as will make a future provision for his family ; the rest he
spends or gives away.
More has been never known to accept a present. Happy the
commonwealth where the magistrates are of such material! Eleva-
tion has not elated him or made him forget his humble friends, and
he returns whenever he can to his beloved books. He is always kind,
always generous. Some he helps with money, some with influence.
When he can give nothing else he gives advice. He is Patron-
General to all poor devils.
He has a fine intellect and an excellent memory, information all
arranged and pigeon-holed to be ready for use. He is so ready in
argument that he can puzzle the best divines on their own subjects.
Colet, a good judge on such points, says More has more genius than
any man in England. He is religious, but without superstition. He
has his hours for prayer, but he uses no forms, and prays out of his
heart. He will talk with his friends about a life to come, and you
can see that he means it and has real hopes.
Such is More, and More is an English courtier, and people fancy
that no Christians are to be found outside monasteries. The I£ing
not only admits such men into his Court, but he invites them, forces
them, that they may be in a position to watch all that he does, and
share his duties and his pleasures. He prefers the companionship
of men like More to that of silly youths or girls, or the rich, or the
dishonest, who might tempt him to foolish indulgences or injuri-
ous courses. If you were here in England you would leave off
abusing Courts. A galaxy of distinguished men now surrounds the
English throne. Erasmus in England to a friend on the Continent