Note 434 — Chapter IV

French was widely used in the Spanish Netherlands, and there was hardly any opening for the teaching of any of the Germanic languages in England at this early time, when they were only learnt in exceptional cases. There were no doubt a few such teachers, here and there. We are told that in London "there be also teachers and professors of the Holy or Hebrew language, of the Caldean, Syriack or Arabicke or Tartary Languages, of the Italian, Spanish, French, Dutch and Polish Tongues. And here be they which can speake the Persian and the Morisco, and the Turkish and the Muscovian Language, and also the Sclavonian tongue, which passeth through seventeen nations. And in divers other languages fit for Ambassadors and Orators, and Agents for Merchants, and for Travaylors and necessarie for all commerce or Negociation whatsoever." Buck, The Third Universitie of England, 1619, ch. xxxvii. "Of Languages." The earliest work for teaching Dutch to Englishmen was probably the Dutch Tutor of 1660; cp. F. Watson, Modern Subjects, ch. xv. John Minsheu taught a number of languages in London, and wrote a Ductor in Linguas (1617), in eleven languages.