70 GIORDANO BRUNO PART 



who read or dictated instead of freely speaking their 

 lectures Doc fores chart acei they were called and a 

 fine of twenty ducats was imposed by the senate on 

 every one who should be found guilty of this crime. 

 Bruno's memory art may therefore, as Bartholmess 

 suggests, have " supplied a felt want." 



Bruno in Early in 1592 Bruno took a fatal step, which showed 



hJuse mS * how little he realised his danger he gave up his personal 

 freedom and went to live in Mocenigo's house. There 

 the two opposite natures soon clashed, and the young 

 patrician began to show his real character. The teaching 

 did not satisfy him, did not give him the power over 

 nature and man which he no doubt expected. He 

 approached Ciotto again before the spring book-market, 

 telling him how Giordano was living in his house at his 

 expense, " who promised to teach me much, and has 

 had clothes and money in plenty from me, but I cannot 

 bring him to a point, and fear he may not be quite 

 honest " ; and asking him to make inquiries in Frank- 

 fort as to Bruno's character, and the likelihood of 

 his fulfilling his obligations. Ciotto returned with an 

 unfavourable report : Bruno was known to make pro- 

 fession of a memory-art, and of other similar secrets, 

 but had never been known to do any good with them, 

 and all who had gone to him for such things had 

 remained unsatisfied ; moreover, it was not understood 

 in Frankfort how he could stay in Venice, as he was 

 held for a man of no religion. To this Mocenigo 

 replied, " I too have my doubts of him, but I will see 

 how much I can get of what he promised me, so as not 



Ito lose entirely what I have paid him, and then I will 

 give him up to the judgment of the Holy Office " 

 the Inquisition. This estimable frame of mind no doubt 

 asserted itself in the relations of pupil and master. 



