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, 1 1 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, 

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

 man the officer describes, or if his teaching should profit 



