226 JEKOME CABDAN. 



learned and most competent. But I affirm that he would 

 not know how to solve these seven problems which he 

 sent for me to work out by the general rule. Because if 

 his excellency does not know how to solve that of the cosa 

 and cube equal to the number (which you have besought 

 of me with so much entreaty), how could he know how to 

 solve the greater part of these, which conduct to opera- 

 tions of a much stranger kind than that of the cosa and 

 cube equal to the number; so that if he knew how to 

 solve all these problems, much more easily would he know 

 how to solve that of the cosa and cube equal to the 

 number, and if he knew it I am sure that he would not 

 go begging and seeking for it. 



ZUAN ANTONIO. I know not how to answer you, 

 because I do not understand these things, but whenever 

 you speak with him I believe that he himself will know 

 what to reply. However, let all those matters pass, and 

 that I may not have lost my pains in coming, give me at 

 any rate the simple copy of the thirty cases that were 

 proposed to you by the said Master Antonio Maria Fior, 

 and if you can also give me a copy of the thirty questions 

 that were asked by you of him you will do me the 

 greatest favour. 



NICOLO. Of his (though I can ill spare time) I will 

 make you a copy, but mine I cannot let you have, be- 

 cause I have no copy at hand, and I cannot exactly re- 



