82 JEROME CARDAN". 



have used, you shall hereafter learn, if it please Heaven. 

 For I have neither expected at any time his complete cure, 

 nor do I think that the most effectual help will ever bring it 

 about, partly because of the moistness of the air (which par- 

 takes somewhat of the saltness of the sea) and the strength 

 of the winds, partly also because of his distractions with in- 

 cessant labours in state affairs, which hang wholly upon him, 

 as it were upon a thread ; he is so worried night and day, 

 that in the midst of his vast responsibilities he can hardly 

 breathe, still less pay that attention to the care of health 

 which our good Hippocrates highly desired at the hands of 

 sick men and others, as well as of physicians. 



" Now, however, leaving the great tumult of his cares and 

 undertakings, he is about to visit Paris a city flourishing as 

 the seat of studies of all kinds, and especially of medicine 

 entirely bent upon attending to his health. But since he 

 has frequently been informed by me of your eminent virtue, 

 your singular erudition and most abundant experience as a 

 practising physician, the archbishop most eagerly desires 

 your help as the most valid protection that he can obtain 

 against his malady (which faith is seen to conduce not a little 

 to recovery) ; so that he is persuaded that he will be healed 

 by you as if by the hands of a favouring Apollo. Therefore 

 he desires in this affair not only to receive your advice, but 

 he is so eager to profit by your presence with him, that he 

 would spare no cost that would attract you before some fixed 

 day to Paris. Therefore contrive, I beseech you, that 

 Lutetia (Paris), the nurse of so many great philosophers, 

 may behold you at least once, that you may be surrounded 

 and admired by so many scholars ; that they may receive, 

 cherish, and venerate with fresh honour a man whose 

 writings have already had from them a worshipful reception. 

 For whatever time you wish to occupy upon the journey, 



