THE PATH OF EVOLUTION 



century, if not the greatest GIORDANO BRUNO 

 was born at Nola, near Naples, Italy, in 1548. As 

 Huss was a Martyr to the Reformation, though pre- 

 ceding it, so Bruno was a still greater Martyr in ad- 

 vance of the Revolution in Philosophy ; a greater 

 Martyr, for he was unrecognized and misunderstood 

 by all. None gave him honor in life, and he ended 

 it as Huss did, and at least as courageously, in flames 

 on the scaffold. 



Little is known of the parentage and early days 

 of Bruno. The exact date of his birth is unknown. 

 He first appears when entering the order of the 

 Dominicans at Naples in his 15th year. His educa- 

 tion had been well cared for. To the mathematical 

 and philosophical sciences of the day he added the 

 studies of letters and theology, showing from his 

 youth a happy memory, a facile conception and an 

 ardent, enthusiastic spirit. The desire to increase the 

 light given him was the cause of his entering the 

 order, but the corrupt morals of his companions of 

 the Cloister, and the difficulties beyond number that 

 the dogmas of the Roman Church presented to 

 his mind, soon disgusted him with his new condition. 

 He abandoned his convent and his country and with- 

 drew to Geneva about 1580. There he studied Cal- 

 vinism, but, dissatisfied therewith, left Geneva after 

 two years, passing by the way of Lyons and Toulouse 



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