Apologia pro Jul. Caesare Vanino

TEACHERS AND KIND OF STUDIES.

of Bartholomew Argotus, * a Carmelite a member of the Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, his Teacher, whom he praises as a most excellent and wise man, and the Phoenix of the preachers of the age. After completing his studies of Jurisprudence and Theology in the Neapolitan original: "Parthenopæo" and Paduan original: "Patavino" rings, he considered it necessary to frequent almost all the other established theaters, amphitheaters, and rings of literary exercises throughout the whole European world. Although his body was exhausted and weakened by infirmities and diseases from this labor, his mind became stronger and more robust in investigating the Arcana secrets of the highest Philosophy, which is unknown to common philosophers, † so that he seemed to be wise beyond the common people. He loved to be heard as a Theologian, but he savored of a Physician more than a Theologian. ‡ For when he examined nature, he was a diligent Physician, and when he examined the stars, he was a skilled Astronomer, and he commended his name through the science of laws. But, charmed by the teachings of Philosophy, he could never mention Aristotle without an ambitious commemoration of praise. To him, this man was the God of Philosophers, the Dictator of human wisdom, the High Priest of the Wise; ☩ he carried him in his mind, his eyes, and his hands, and had completely given himself over to him. An imprudent merchant,

* Vanini, Dialogue 30, page 205 of On the Secrets of Nature.
† Vanini in the Preface to the Amphitheatre.
‡ Gramond, in the place cited.
☩ Vanini, Dialogue 2 of On the Secrets of Nature.