New-York tribune., 1869-05-19
A LITERARY DISCOVERY.


LETTERS OF GALMEO AND MILTON.
We end IN Frazer's Magazine for May, communi-
cation from the distinguished palROntoogist klch-
sr Owen in which he gives an account OF certain man
userpts laid before the French purportngto
ne letters written by Louis XIV Calico and John MIL
ton which, if they shall prove TO be authentic cannon
but be reckoned of very high value These manuscripts
are from the collection of the learned academclan'
NJ Chasles" but, whether this be NJ. Michel, or M
PhilarGte Chasles, does not appear though IL Is a
point of considerable importance III making up
Judgment on the authenticity OF the documents III
ouestion. Probably, it is NJ Michel Chasles who has
made this discovery in which case the recollection
of the mass of forged letters purportng to have pass
ed between Newton and Pascal which that gentleman
lately attempted to fOst upon the public, and which
were intended to prove that the great discoveries
claimed by Newton were really made by Pascal, Will
not tend to make the public accept this new treasure
trove with the confidence that there is bare possl
bility il may deserve 1t may be remarked that, III
the case of the NewtOnPascal letters although they
were clearly proved to be foTgeries, NJ Chasles has
always refused either to acknowledge that they were
so, or to state from whence he procured them; ana
Mr.. Owen, in introducing the present collection 10
the English public gives us no information as
70 the source from whence they came
They were laid before the Institute by
meeting of the Academy of Science, and he accom-
panied the presentation with some remarks eN-
pressiye of a strong belief in their authenticity The
matter is one that only be settled by the search
ing examination of experts We present our readers
with trauslatons of the most important OF these
letters - ,,,-,s VIZ,
ARCETRI this Is November u6S90
sIRE: do not know how TO pay the debt owe I hls
S2 very sincerely his kindness and for the generous
er which he has made me through ,a ms n9 mys
nabe to accept SO generous an % 0G on Gp HS & and
kind protection all the attention a tnaI my my ~ T
poures but have fallen here into certain ways oi ~
t gbt Of nv ewes is not born again rapidly as had
hoped could desire, 1t Is not Tor lack OF care
II is a great prvatlon for me not to be able 70
continue my astronomical oDservatlOns am leSrhln
10 resign myself to IT. think myself happy that al
INV age and after having suffered so much am sth
a6e 10 read and write which gives great satisfaction
credited aud circulated with regard to TINS matter,
reason that i'm Consequence Of then am much less beet
by my enemies-that is by the lnquisltors VINO never
cease spy upon Ihave even made use oi5e pIeteH
Of blindness that might be left in repose and TO SELF
Its not necessary mat should saw any @ nn O11 ont
Iha DC the less grateful loT al tnat ne mas H2ne
1nt servant CALLED GALILEI
LETTER FROM MILTON TO LOUIS This XJy; doi Arrrst
To THE KNG-Sire: According to the wish expressed
IN mel Y Y,
onrnev N ItaIy and at the same time shall eommun
nv impression Of the lustrious Calico. In the frst
nr19 Of the wear less that undertook this Journey
Iwent first TO France. I was received at Paris IN q
been recommended and who introduced me everywhere
into good society. / soon became acquainted Win
gained their good will. 1t is not. not ne; St
SssdTy S e 'fqS viii only GGa GoTm s Majesty that having
become known that intended TO visit Florence TO see
praised at Paris every one encouraged make this
journey every offered me letters Of introduction
more, which proves that the ustrous Florentne
astronomer had many friends and partisans in France
Leaving Paris went first to Florence ana rom hehce
10 Arcetr far from that city where GallleO ha1
fn making a telescope, which he wished 20 bring
10 perfection in order to study saturn ana ms
tie msves with which wascharged, with the contents
Sf them made him ioyfuI He also showed great salts
my account questioning me about every one
of those persons had just left and that in way which
proved that held them in great esteem. He made me
stay to dinner with him, aud invited me to cal often
upon him while remained IN FIoIence' Whch Glu ana,
On one occasion, when l was visiting him. lust
about Ine Iine % NY 5i nc dI4't ti o M M
me acquainted with his precious writings. and
received from his friends He talked with not only
astronomy, but also about literature Of which he
aI @ j me tbnn eft Forsnne in order 70 60 TO Sienna
SEEM see T ad 5G bnt ' sIoTt tay From thence went TO-
Rome, where warmly welcomed by the sayans and
The H6y Father who also questioned closely about
each the Of France and chiefly abou the poets
for he prided himself upon having considerable skul
In their He gave me audience many times, as also
did the Cardinal BaTbern who admitted TO his con
certs IL was there that heard the famous singer Leo
charmed with her voice ana with her beauty
that could not deny myself the pleasure of recording
her praises IN sonnet AFTER stay suienIS long III
the capital Of the Christian world, continued my jour
ney to Naples, where well received by the men Of
learning in that city there made the acquaintance OF
very ilusrious Marquis de Nilla an old man full Of
GnG tbs e Ie af Teeoecton Which sn intimate fendSbp
with mai AT
always leaves in the memory was, az were, inspired
while listening the delightful rectals Of this friend Of
Tasso and he held for many days in his villa, where
had ample leisure TO examine critically many Of the
INTENDED to pass over to Sicily and Greece but having
heard the sad Of the trouble that had fallen my
country, this arrested my Wanderlngs then resolved
70 leave Italy but by no means without again seeing the
Iustrons Galieo. g%gtted % Naples am ana returned 70
triOus Galleo found him little atered-that is 70
say his great application 10 the study Of the stars,
and OF Saturn in particular had faugued his sight
he had been Obliged TO dlscontnue THIS study TO his
there some remarkable things about Saturn which he
had already had glimpse OF Dut ~nlch nc was not yet
him great pnvaon not TO be able TO devote himself 10
epfeebed tbat bs could no longer see utSe tSe
sky. This was great grief to him. When l
order that is to say in classifying them according TO
their subjects in order divide them among friends
his DEATH these papers should fa into the hands his
enemies they would run the risk OF being destroyed
Thus he took measures 70 avoid such catastrophe aud
II well he did for we have evidence OF what sort
Of fate awaited them. But return 20 my subject On
my return 70 Florence, remained for fifteen days in that
cy and often went almost every day indeed, TO pre-
my respects the very ilustriOus astronomer,
who invited me, many times, to partake OF
his supper with him. He lived surrounded by
society, both Of friends and OF strangers Our
host OF the most amabe that desired for
an spite Of his ndspOstiOn and OF ali the Vicssitudes
which he has had TO endure in this e his gayety
tnues unmpaired IhOd for certain that he preserved
1t the very end OF his days This an evidence
that he possessed the happiest organization He OF
sangune temperament phlegpatic, and very robust.
He was OF the average hight, and squarcy built The
lines OF his cOuntenance announced the camnes Of his
Ruift the o fortune Ho was