1895. The following lectures were published as delivered by Froude at Oxford in 1893-1894. The aim of this work is to lead historical readers to a study of Erasmus' own writings than to provide an abbreviated substitute for them. Erasmus advises students to read only the best books on the subjects with which they are occupied. The best description of Europe in the age immediately preceding the Reformation will be found in the correspondence of Erasmus himself. The author promises the reader that if they will accept Erasmus for a guide in that entangled period, they will not wander far out of the way.