182 JEROME CARDAN. 



Life of Christ that was completed in 1539 3 after having 

 been three years in progress. That book was never pub- 

 lished; but though not to be read it was abundantly 

 abused by controversialists, who were much scandalised at 

 the one fact of which they were informed by its author, 

 that it set out with an astrological nativity. The notifi- 

 cation added to the Practice of Arithmetic was to the 

 following effect: 



" Charles the Fifth, Roman Emperor, Ever August, 

 &c. Inasmuch as we have considered the petition of 

 Girolamo Castellione Cardano, Physician of Milan, most 

 faithful servant of the most unconquered Emperor, saying 

 that he has prepared the under-mentioned works in divers 

 faculties to be imprinted in succession according to his 

 convenience, of which two little works have already seen 

 the light; and that he might not be compelled to seek 

 imperial privilege as often as he might have one such 

 work to publish, therefore for the works named below 

 existing in his possession, of which some have already 

 been printed, he desires to obtain an universal privilege : 

 We acquiesce in his humble supplication, and require by 

 these letters that fit and needful help shall be afforded 

 him to prevent any one from printing one of the works 

 named below, or introducing such a work elsewhere 

 printed into any part of the Duchy of Milan, or from 

 committing any fraud against any such work until ten 



