186 JEROME CARDAN. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



INFAMY. 



JEROME CARDAN is speaking 1 . " It was on the 20th 

 of December, in the year 1557, when all things seemed to 

 be prospering that I lay awake at midnight. When I 

 wished to sleep the bed appeared to tremble, and the 

 chamber with it. I supposed there was a shock of earth- 

 quake. Towards morning I slept, and awaking when it 

 was light, asked Simon Sosia, who has since followed my 

 fortunes, and was then lying on a little chair bed near 

 me, whether he had perceived anything. He replied, 

 ' Yes, a trembling of the room and bed.' ' At what hour 

 of the night?' ' Between the sixth and seventh.' Then 

 I went out, and, when I was in the market-place, inquired 

 of people whom I met whether they had observed the 

 earthquake. When I returned to my own house a servant 

 came running out to me full of sorrow, and announced 

 1 De Vita Propria, cap. xl. 



