SECOND LETTER

IN WHICH THE REASONS PRO-

posed in the previous letter are discussed more fully.

To the most illustrious and learned man FORTUNIO LICETO

eminent philosopher at the University of Bologna Archigymnasio: the historical seat of the University of Bologna,

PIERRE GASSENDI sends greetings.

A decorative woodcut drop cap for the letter D depicts a scholar seated at a desk. He gestures toward a circular diagram, perhaps a globe or a representation of the sun, surrounded by ornamental leaves and foliage.
I did not have to deliberate for long, distinguished Fortunio Liceto, whether I should write to you after receiving your book On Inquiries original: "de Quæsitis". You have placed me under such an obligation in that work that it was clearly necessary for me to express my gratitude to you. Indeed, four years ago, I explained a problem to our friend Naudé Gabriel Naudé (1600–1653) was a French scholar and librarian who acted as a bridge between many European intellectuals. regarding the shadow. This problem concerns why a shadow is created wider when the Sun is low than when it is high. I had hoped that he would submit this problem to your examination. Such was your kindness that you did not reject the proposal. You fulfilled my wishes most abundantly. It has been nearly a year since Naudé informed me that you had included the matter among those Responses published from letters by famous men concerning various Inquiries. However, it was only in recent days that the copy reached me, though it had been sent from Paris since March.