126 NOTES TO BOOK VI. 



of descent down its vertical length in the proportion of the 

 length of the plane to the height. But this cannot, I 

 think, have been more than a guess : there is no vestige of 

 a proof given. 



(B.) p. 52. The following remarks of M. Libri appear 

 to be just. After giving an account of the doctrines put 

 forth on the subject of Astronomy, Mechanics, and other 

 branches of science, by Leonardo da Vinci, Fracastoro, 

 Maurolycus, Commandinus, Benedetti, he adds ; (Hist, des 

 Sciences MatJicmatiques en Italie, t. in. p. 131 ;) " This 

 short analysis is sufficient to show that, at the period at 

 which we are arrived, Aristotle no longer reigned unques- 

 tioned in the Italian Schools. If we had to write the 

 history of philosophy, we should prove by a multitude of 

 facts that it was the Italians who overthrew the ancient 

 idol of philosophers. Men go on incessantly repeating that 

 the struggle was begun by Descartes, and they proclaim 

 him the legislator of modern philosophers. But when we 

 examine the philosophical writings of Fracastoro, of Bene- 

 detti, of Cardan, and above all, those of Galileo ; when we 

 see on all sides energetic protests raised against the peri- 

 patetic doctrines ; we ask, what there remained for the 

 inventor of vortices to do, in overturning the natural phi- 

 losophy of Aristotle ? In addition to this, the memorable 

 labours of the School of Corenza, of Telesius, of Giordano 

 Bruno, of Campanella ; the writings of Patricius, who was, 

 besides, a good geometer ; of Nizolius, whom Leibnitz 

 esteemed so highly, and of the other metaphysicians of the 

 same epoch; prove that the ancient philosophy had 

 already lost its empire on that side the Alps, when Des- 

 cartes threw himself upon the enemy now put to the rout. 

 The yoke was cast off in Italy, and all Europe had only to 



