i 9 4 JEROME CARDAN 



writes : " When I was about to be summoned to teach 

 at Bologna, some persons of that place who were envi- 

 ous of my reputation sent a certain officer (a getter-up 

 of petitions) to Pavia. Now this fellow, who never once 

 entered the class-room, nor had a word with any one of 

 my pupils, wrote, on what authority I know not, a 

 report in these words : ' Concerning Girolamo Cardano, 

 I am told that he taught in this place, but got no pupils, 

 always lecturing to empty benches : that he is a man of 

 evil life, ill regarded by all, and little less than a fool, 

 repulsive in his manners, and entirely unskilled in medi- 

 cine. After he had promulgated certain of his opinions 

 he found no one in the city who would employ him, nor 

 did he practise his art.' 



" These words were read to the Senate by the mes- 

 senger on his return in the presence of the illustrious 

 Borromeo, the Pope's Legate to the city. The Senate 

 were upon the point of breaking off all further negotia- 

 tions, but while the man was reading his report, some 

 one present heard the words in which he declared that 

 I did not practise medicine. ' Hui ! ' he cried, ' I know 

 that is not true, for I myself have seen divers men of the 

 highest consideration going to him for help, and I 

 though I am not to be ranked with them have often con- 

 sulted him myself.' Then the Legate took up the parole 

 and said, ' I too bear witness that he cured my own mother 

 when she was given up by every one else.' Then the first 

 speaker suggested that probably the rest of the tale was 

 just as worthy of belief as this one statement, the Legate 

 agreeing thereto ; whereupon the messenger aforesaid 

 held his tongue and blushed for shame. Ultimately the 

 Senate determined to appoint me Professor for one year, 

 ' for,' they said, ' if he should prove to be the sort of 

 man the officer describes, or if his teaching should profit 



