Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/132

120 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE perverted facts and evidence that no solution of a case was arrived at till both parties were ruined by costs. 'Such advocates,' he complains, 'poison judgment, mock at justice, seek to entangle administration, and are hateful to God and man.' His remarks on the dignity of the degree of ' doctor of laws ' show the respect in which he held the science of jurisprudence. ' This degree is not conferred in order to enable a man to inscribe himself among the followers of courts, or to wear their livery, or to soil his conscience with the mud of the tribunal or consistory, but in order to have the privilege of speaking and teaching the law, of deciding what is doubtful, and of protecting the State. This is the aim of the true LL.D. He who is sincere serves the State, he who is not destroys it.' As a university professor Zasius enthralled his hearers by the clearness of his arguments, the warmth of his sentiments, and the fervour of his eloquence. Not one among his contemporaries, either in Germany or Italy, excelled him in oratorical power, so his dis- ciple Fichard asserts. Another pupil writes as fol- lows : ' When we received our Zasius in the lecture hall or accompanied him to his home he seemed a very angel to us. How often I used to say to myself, "It is time to go and hear Zasius' lecture, to drink in his teaching," or, if doubts assailed me, "Go to Zasius and ask his counsel." On feast days it was our delight to accompany him to church, and then see him home.' The deep faith which was the foundation of his conduct, his sincerity, honesty, and simplicity, attached to him all who came in contact with him. Erasmus, writing to Wilibald Pirkheimer, says : ' Zasius is a rare