JEROME CARDAN. 



before his father's death, in the year 1529, the bishopric 

 of Modena. 



Giovanni Morone, who was both able and liberal, 

 prospered in the Church. He after a time resigned his 

 see, and was engaged in the negotiations preceding the 

 establishment of the Tridentine Council ; then he was 

 made a cardinal, appointed the Pope's legate in his second 

 capital, Bologna, and was selected, in 1545, to preside 

 over the Council of Trent, then opened. Such was his 

 rank and standing in the world in the year 1546. In 

 later years his liberal dislike of the new Roman Inquisi- 

 tion exposed him to the enmity of one bigoted Pope, 

 and even to imprisonment. The shadow, however, 

 quickly passed over his life, and in his last years he was 

 again to be found effectively using his ability and mode- 

 ration to promote the peace arid real well-being of the 

 Church. Once he was almost elected Pope, having re- 

 ceived twenty-eight votes in the conclave. This Cardinal 

 Morone then, who was eight years younger than Cardan, 

 made to the philosopher, in the year 1546, a brilliant 

 offer. There was a fine opening in Rome if he would go 

 and practise there; entering into the service of the Pontiff, 

 who would liberally pension him. 



The Pope Paul III. was he who, as cardinal, had begun 

 the building in Rome of the splendid Farnese Palace. In 

 his habits he was magnificent and liberal, an easy man, 



