XX. A. D. 1521. A. Et. 46. A. Pont. IX. CHAP. in subordination to some higher purpose. The course of the heavenly bodies would be considered as a study not deserving of their attention, were it not believed to unfold to them the secrets of futurity; and the productions of the vegetable and mineral kingdoms are disregarded, except when they are supposed to exhibit striking prodigies, or to produce miraculous effects. Hence it has been the most difficult effort of the human mind to divest itself of absurdity and of error, and to quit its sublime flights for the plain and palpable inductions of reason and common sense; and hence the due estimation of our own powers, although it be of all sciences the most important, is generally the latest acquired. Aristotle. In correcting these errors of early times, Writings of the ancients had made a considerable progress; but on the revival of letters, that second infancy of mankind, the powers of the human intellect were not so frequently employed on subjects of real utility, as in the investigation of the most difficult or unintelligible propositions. The writings of Aristotle, which had first been introduced through the medium of the Arabians, afforded the greatest abundance of subjects of this nature, and he therefore became XX. A. D. 1591, A. Æt. 46. A. Pont. IX. trine of Plato. became the universal favourite. The study CHAP. of his works superseded the study of nature; and as few topics were left untouched by his vigorous and enterprising genius, he was not only resorted to as the general authority on all subjects of science and of literature, but produced a considerable effect on the theological tenets of the times. The superiority and influence which, by the aid of the schoolmen, he had for so many ages maintained, were at Rival doclength diminished by the rival system of Plato; and the dominion which he had so long exer-, cised over the human intellect was now divided between him and his sublimer opponent; this circumstance may be considered rather as a compromise between the rulers, than as an alteration in the condition of those who were still destined to obey. The metaphysical doctrines of Plato were as remote from the business of real life and the simple induction of facts, as those of Aristotle. It is not, however, wholly improbable, that mankind derived some advantage from this event. In dividing their allegiance, it occasionally led them to think for themselves, and perhaps induced a suspicion, that, as in opposing systems both leaders could not be right, so it was possible that both of them might be wrong. This СНАР. XX. A. D. 1521. A. Et. 46. A. Pont. IX. Commen tators on the philosophy of the ancients. Niccolo Leonico This divided authority was not, however, without its variations, in which each of the contending parties struggled for the ascendancy, and at the close of the fifteenth century the triumph of Platonism was almost complete. The venerable character of Bessarion, the indefatigable labours of Ficino, and the establishment of the Platonic academy at Florence under Lorenzo de' Medici, were the chief causes of this superiority. With the loss of the personal influence of these eminent men, its consequence again declined; and the doctrines of Aristotle, better understood and more sedulously inculcated by many of his learned countrymen, again took the lead. The scholars of the time devoted themselves with great earnestness to the task of translating, illustrating, or defending his writings, which now began to be freed from the visionary subtilties of the Arabian commentators, and were studied and expounded in their original language. The first native Italian who attempted this arduous task, was Niccolo Leonico Tomeo, a disciple of Demetrius Chalcondyles, and a distinguished professor of polite letters in the university of Padua, where he died in the year 1531, having taught at that place upwards of thirty years. The talents of Leonico were not, however, wholly devoted to this employ ment. ment. He was not less acquainted with the CHA P, doctrines of Plato than with those of Aristotle. He translated many philosophical works from the Greek into Latin with great elegance, and has left several treatises or dialogues, on moral and philosophical subjects,(a) although they are now no longer generally known. Some specimens of his poetry are also to be found in the collections of the times.(b) His chief merit consists in his having for a long course of years sedulously diffused the richest of ancient learning among his countrymen, and his chief honour in having numbered among his pupils many of the most eminent men of the time. The epitaph on Leonico by his friend and countryman Bembo, is an elegant (a) Among others he published a collection of various tracts from the works of Aristotle and Theophrastus, which were printed from his copies, and published by the heirs of Filippo Giunti at Flor. 1527. In the dedication of this work to Bernardo Giunti, Leonico asserts, that he had carefully corrected and restored about two thousand passages in these treatises. Bandin. Juntar. Typogr. Ann. ii. 213. (b) Tiraboschi, Storia della Lelt. Ilal. vii. i. 373. is also mentioned by Erasmus in his Ciceronianus with great commendation. "Leonicus in adytis philosophiæ, præ"sertim Platonicæ, semper religiose versatus, ad Platonis 66 ac XX. A. Et. 46. A. D. 1521. A. CHAP. elegant compendium of his literary and moral character and is highly favourable to both.(a) XX. A. D. 1521. A. Pont. IX. Pietro nazzo. Another celebrated professor of philosophy at Padua, at the commencement of the sixteenth century, was Pietrò Pomponazzo of Mantua, usually denominated, on account of his diminutive stature, Peretto. Such was the estimation in which his services were held at this university, that he was rewarded with an annual stipend of three hundred and seventy ducats ; "ac Ciceronis dialogos effingendos sese composuit, et præstat "eloquentia tantum, quantum fas est hodie a tali philoso"pho requirere. Ciceronianus appellari nec ipse cupiat, "ni fallor; adhuc enim superest, vir non minus integris "moribus quam eruditione reconditâ." Ciceronian. p. 71. (a) This inscription, which yet remains in the church of S. Francesco, at Padua, is as follows: "LEONICO THOMEO, Veneto, milioribus in literis pan"gendisque carminibus ingenio amabili, Philosophia "vero in studiis, et Academica Peripateticaque doctrina 66 præstanti; nam et Aristotelicos libros Græco sermone "Patavii primus omnium docuit, scholamque illam a "Latinis interpretibus inculcatam perpolivit, et Platonis "majestatem nostris hominibus jam prope abditam re"stituit; mullaque præterea scripsit, multa interpretatus "est, multos claros viros erudiit, præter virtutem bonasque "artes tota in vita nullius rei appetens. Vixit autem "annos lxxv. M. i. D. 27." |