As for the text of the book, it has been variously judged. Catherinot was delighted with it; but the author of the 'Menagiana' reproves Tory for manufacturing Latin words after the style of the author of the 'Songe du Poliphile' (see supra, page 55, note 2). We have seen that Tory himself did not recommend such words to the reader.
The Bibliothèque Nationale has a copy of this little book, still in its original binding, with the Pot Cassé.
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SCIENCE POUR SENRICHIR HONNESTEMENT ET FACILEMENT, INTITULEE: LECONOMIC XENOPHON, NAGUERES TRANSLATEE DE GREC ET LATIN EN LANGAIGE FRANCOYS PAR MAISTRE GEOFROY TORY DE BOURGES. [Here the Pot Cassé, no. 4] On les vend a Paris, en la rue Sainct Iaques, devant lescu de Basle, et devant lesglise de la Magdalaine, a lenseigne du Pot Casse.—Avec privilege.
Octavo of 9 sheets (signatures a to i). As in the 'Sommaire de Chroniques' of Egnasius, there are only two signature marks to the sheet (one for the first form and one for the second), and each page is enclosed in a three-line fillet. The title-page alone is set in a border of arabesques of pleasing design.
On the verso of the title: 'At the aforesaid sign of the Pot Casse there be also for sale Thucydides and Diodorus, with several other excellent books translated from Greek and Latin into French. Likewise there be beautiful Hours and Offices of Our Lady, large, medium, and small, illustrated and vignetted in ancient and modern fashion.'
On the second leaf is an explanation of the words 'Economic' and 'Xenophon'; and on the third a dedication, extracts from which follow.
Geofroy Tory of Bourges to his most reverend father in God, Antoine du Prat, Cardinal de Sens, legate in ordinary and Chancellor of France, doth say and proffer most humble greeting.
After the book treating of the meaning of the ancient letters, called 'Champ fleury,' the which I composed in the French tongue, and the 'Table of Cebes,' with thirty moral dialogues, likewise the 'Sommaire de Chroniques,' the which I translated into our said tongue,[236] to confer a benefit on the studiously inclined, most reverend father in God, it hath seemed to me a worthy occupation, if I should employ myself in translating also the 'Economic Xenophon'; and beneath the shadow of your most honourable wing, first presenting the same with humble devotion unto you, I have published the same and placed it in the hands of all virtuous and worthy persons, to pass the time studiously therewith and therein to find good counsel for directing their families worthily and increasing their wealth by honest means.
Wherefore, most reverend father in God, under your venerable favour and blessing, the studious and veritable lovers of goodly reading and fruitful occupation will kindly take this little book in their condescending hands, and all will bear you good will, not for the book alone, but for that you are he to whom all owe honour and service, as to whom all the public welfare and all Christendom are deeply indebted.
I shall continue to be, if it so please you, in your good favour, and I will pray to Our Lord that he will give you his love according to your noble and estimable desire.
From Paris this Wednesday, the fifth day of July, M. D. XXXI.
Following this document, which fills three leaves, comes an epistle from Geofroy Tory of Bourges to 'studious and worthy readers,' by way of preface. It fills two leaves. The eighth leaf is entirely blank. On the ninth, the 'Economic Xenophon' begins, and extends from b to i 4; the fifth and sixth leaves of i contain an 'Epistle from Seigneur Elisee Calense, native of Amphrates, which he sent to Rufinius, guardian of the Emperor Arcadius, replying to him touching the matter of managing his family and of keeping in order his domestic goods and chattels, translated from Latin into French by maistre Geofroy Tory de Bourges.'