BOOTS OF FAME. 287 



larity that they obtained in Ins own day. He was not 

 too much before his time. His intellect was strong and 

 bold ; he dared attempt all themes ; and there were few of 

 the world's mysteries on which he did not reason in his 

 books ; but while his power and originality of mind com- 

 manded universal recognition, learned and unlearned 

 were glad to read the works of a philosopher who shared 

 their weaknesses. He was perhaps loved by many not 

 the less for being in certain respects weaker than them- 

 selves. On all the attractive and delusive pseudo- sciences 

 of his own day, on ghosts, dreams, portents, palmistry, 

 signs in the heavens and wonders upon earth, Cardan 

 reasoned with good faith, and displayed in their discus- 

 sion a profundity that flattered and encouraged shallower 

 believers. Then, too, he wrote upon these and all 

 things not only more profoundly, but more pleasant!}' 

 than the great body of his neighbours. As a writer he 

 was at once learned and amusing. His quick natural 

 wit made him a brisk narrator even when he was most 

 garrulous : there was pith in what he wrote, and his works 

 always sparkled more or less with those well-considered 

 and well-pointed sayings in which learned and unlearned 

 equally delight. Mysteries of heaven and earth thus 

 written about in a credulous and marvel-loving spirit, 

 made the subject of a curious philosophy, would of course 

 yield matter for attractive books. They were not less 

 attractive because they were, or appeared to be, practical. 



