On the Apparent Magnitude of the Sun when Low and High

It had to be referred here through many roundabout ways. I was then staying in Digne original: "Diniæ", a town in southeastern France where Gassendi held a cathedral post, and I was on the point of departing for this city, when I barely had time to skim the whole volume or to linger even a little on the section where you did not disdain to examine the problem. But here, after I was allowed to rest a bit from the business that disrupts my literary leisure otium literarium: a classical concept of time set aside from public duties for study and writing, I took the book up in my hands again. I did this so that, with the matter better understood, I might thank you more fully and, as I thought you would not find it unwelcome, discuss your Response.

Indeed, when I saw that my thin little commentary original: "commentatiunculam" was received by you in such a way that you thought it worthy of a very long discussion, it is impossible to say how much I feel indebted to you. I did not deserve that you, such a great man, should have such regard for me and my modest effort. Furthermore, I counted it as a great gain that you did not approve of my solution. This gave me the opportunity to recognize the weak powers of my own mind and to learn what your vast learning original: "πολυμάθεια" (polymathia), referring to Liceto's reputation for wide-ranging knowledge had woven into the subject.

Your remarkable kindness has even encouraged me to offer a reply. Through this, my opinion, whatever its worth, might seem to gain at least some strength or at least some light. You will understand that I do this not out of a desire for competition, nor because I reject your judgment. Instead, I believe it is my duty to show by this very work that I have read your elaborate study elucubratio: a scholarly work produced through intense, often late-night, effort with great care and not merely in passing. If you see me wandering toward opinions that fall outside the Peripatetic school The Peripatetics were followers of Aristotle, whose philosophy dominated European universities at the time, do not consider me one who does not respect Aristotle. Rather, see me as one who suspects his principles are not valid everywhere...