THE POPE'S OFFER TO CARDAN. 5 



who, although worldly, was beloved of many, and was 

 always an encourager of learning. When it was proposed 

 to Cardan to go into his service, this Pope, Alexander 

 Farnese, had for twelve years occupied St. Peter's chair, 

 and was seventy-nine years old. He was a scholarly and 

 courteous old man, who discoursed in a low tone of voice, 

 and in a prolix way, picking his words deliberately, 

 because, whether he spoke Italian, Greek, or Latin, he 

 would be careful to use no expression that did not become 

 the refinement of a learned man. His speech was also 

 civilly ambiguous ; he went through an intricate political 

 career, getting promises and giving none, in great as in 

 small affairs always avoiding the simplicities of yes and no. 

 By this Pope, Jerome would have been appreciated. His 

 infallibility was wholly subject to the influence of stars, 

 and dreams, and omens. He entered upon no under- 

 taking or matter of common business without proper astro- 

 logical or other safe authority. An union with France, 

 most earnestly desired, was very long delayed by him, 

 because he could not get a right accord between a couple 

 of nativities. How great a treasure would Cardan, there- 

 fore, have been to that old man ! 



Jerome declined the Cardinal Morone's offer, though 

 it involved conditions not to be despised. The Pope, he 

 said, is decrepid; he is but a crumbling wall; and shall I 

 quit a certain for an insecure position? He did not then, 



