SOME ACCOUNT

OF THE

LIFE AND WRITINGS

OF

SIR THOMAS MORE.*

SIR THOMAS MORE was born in Milk-street, Lon-` don, in 1480, five years before the accession of Henry VII. to the throne. His father, Sir John More, one of the judges of the court of King's Bench, a man of acute wit and sound understanding, took due precautions that the early indications of genius, which he perceived in his son, should not languish for want of cultivation. In the first rudiments of education he was instructed at a free grammar school in Threadneedle-street.

*This life of More is extracted from Macdiarmid's "Lives of British Statesmen." Those who would know more concerning him are referred to the interesting biographies written by his son-in-law, Roper, and his greatgrandson, More. The latest, and on many accounts the best Life of our author, was written by Sir James Mackintosh, and is contained in Lardner's Cyclopedia, Vol. I. of" Eminent British Statesmen."

As a further step in his education, More was afterwards placed in the family of cardinal Morton; and at the age of seventeen, was sent, at the instance of his zealous patron the cardinal, to Oxford. After having passed two years at Oxford, he removed, first to New Inn, and afterwards to Lincoln's Inn, to prosecute the study of the law; and no sooner did he appear at the bar, than he began to practise with flattering prospects of success.

Before he had attained his twenty-third year, More, having been chosen a member of the House of Commons, had an opportunity of still more distinguishing himself. Henry having required from parliament a large contribution, for the marriage of his eldest daughter with the king of Scotland, the demand, whether from its magnitude, or the purposes to which it was to be applied, proved extremely unpopular with the Commons; yet, from a just dread of the king's resentment, the measure seemed likely to pass in silence; when More, incapable of being deterred by any sense of personal danger from executing what he accounted his duty, boldly stood forward to oppose the requisition; and, reasoning with such eloquence and strength of argument as to rouse the courage of his colleagues, finally procured its rejection. This display of patriotism and fortitude, at his first entrance into public life, while it greatly increased his reputation, seemed in danger of drawing down his ruin; for Henry could not hear without the utmost indignation, that his avarice had been disappointed, and his authority thwarted, at the instigation of a youth distinguished by no

rank or hereditary influence. His want of fortune, however, on this occasion proved the safety of the young patriot; for it was a maxim with Henry, to make his revenge, if possible, subservient to his avarice; and, as the present cbject of his resentment had nothing to lose, he was less willing to risk a public clamor by directly violating the privileges of the commons. But, that More might be sensible of his displeasure, and be deterred from a similar opposition in future, he contrived to fasten some groundless accusation on his father, Sir John More, and caused him to be shut up in the Tower, till he purchased his liberty, by paying for his pretended offence a fine of one hundred pounds. Henry was not, however, of a temper to be satisfied with this indirect revenge; and More, although he dexterously eluded the arts practised to draw from him some confessions, which might afford a color for his accusation, yet well knew the folly of openly contending with this implacable tyrant. His first thoughts were, to avoid the danger by going abroad; and with this view he studied the French language: but although he laid aside this intention, be found it necessary to give up his practice at the bar, and live in complete retirement.

The death of Henry the VII. which happened about six years afterwards, enabling him to resume his practice at the bar, his talents and acquirements soon raised him to eminent distinction. His reputation for integrity, ability, and learning, attracted the attention of Henry VIII. who was eager to engage him in his service, and commanded Wolsey to