[reasoning] requires, yet neither will grasp or hand down anything certain, unless it has been divinely revealed to him. Therefore, let us allow these new hypotheses to become known among the old ones, being no more probable original: "verisimiliores"; Osiander is being provocative here, suggesting Copernicus's theory is just as "unlikely" as the old ones, but more useful for math., especially since they are at once admirable and easy, and bring with them a vast treasury of the most learned observations. Nor should anyone expect anything certain from astronomy regarding hypotheses, since it can provide nothing of the kind; otherwise, if he takes as true that which was invented for another purpose, he may leave this discipline more foolish than when he approached it. Farewell.

NIKOLAUS SCHÖNBERG, CAR-

dinal of Capua, to Nicolaus Copernicus, Greetings.

A square decorative woodcut initial C, featuring a seated figure in a garden-like enclosure, perhaps representing a scholar or cleric.
Since the report of your merit reached me some years ago through the constant conversation of everyone, I then began to hold you in higher esteem and even to congratulate our people, among whom you flourished with such great glory. For I had understood that you not only were exceptionally skilled in the discoveries of the ancient mathematicians, but had also established a new system of the world system of the world: "mundi ratio," referring to the structural arrangement of the universe. In this system, you teach that the Earth moves; that the Sun occupies the lowest In the physics of the time, the "lowest" point was the center of the universe. and therefore the middle place of the universe; that the eighth sphere The "sphere of fixed stars," which in ancient astronomy was the outermost shell of the universe. remains motionless and fixed forever; and that the Moon, together with the elements included within its sphere, situated between the heavens of Mars and Venus, revolves around the Sun in an annual course. I also understood that commentaries on this entire system of astronomy have been composed by you, and that you have compiled the movements of the wandering stars The planets., calculated and reduced into tables, to the greatest admiration of everyone. Therefore, most learned man, unless I am a burden to you, I beg you again and again, most earnestly, to communicate this discovery of yours to scholars, and to send to me at the first possible opportunity your meditations on the sphere of the world together with the Tables, and whatever else you have pertaining to this same matter. I have, moreover, given instructions to Theodoric von Reden A Polish cleric and colleague of Copernicus who acted as an intermediary. that everything be transcribed there at my expense and sent to me. If you grant me this favor, you will understand that you have dealt with a man who is studious of your name and desiring to do justice to such great merit. Farewell. From Rome, November 1st, 1536.