The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-06-30

1
ABRAM B. WEAVER,
TO Superintendent of Public Instruction.
. . H. Sketches of Great Characters.
We are pleased to see that some of our
country exchanges, instead of filling
their colamns WITH rehash of all the po- |
litical articles written for the great city
dailies, are turning their attention to pub
fishing short sketches on historical subjects,
placing them in their trke light as revealed
by an unprejudiced study of history.
Orr country friends will through this
means have their minds disabused of many
of ttrose- infamous Publications of history
BY which it has been sought to make the
Church appear the enemy Of human pro-
gress, whereas the past gives incontestible
proof that ehe has always been its staunchest
and truest friend. We copy the following,
from "1Ae Spectator" an ably edited and
interesting weekly, published at North
Port, Ala:
Calico Gslilei, aud Italian philosopher,
distinguished for his many scientific dis
coveries, was born at Pisa in 1864, ana was
From his boyhood he displayed great inge-
uuity in modelling toy machines. He also
discovered q remarkable talent for music
I and drawing, and at one time wished 10 Dc.
| come a painter; but his father, man OF
extensive learning and attainments, was
cratiye profession. With this view he sent
him to the University OF Pisa to study
medicine. Finding that the pursuit of his
favorite arts necessitated an acquaintance
with the laws of geometry, Calico pursued
the study Of that branch OF knowledge TO
the exclusion of all others.
AS early as the age of eighteen, he com
menced his scientific researches, and bis
animated opposition to the teachings OF
Aristotle which were generally accepted
excited the attention of learned men: lie
was appointed leetnrer on mathematics az
the University of Pisa, bnt remained there
only a short time. In 1892, he was called
TO the chair of mathematics in the Universe
tv of Padua, and retained this position fol-
eighteen years, during which he made
several important philosophical discoveries
and became distinguished by his earnest
support of the Copern lean system
AT the invitation of Cosmo, Duke o
Tuscany. Calico returned to Pisa. IL
1000. he heard of the invention of the te!e
scope, and Instantly conceived the iuea O.
app!ying it to the advancement of astroho
} micaE science. During the following yea
I
!, ment. the uuevenSss of the surface of thu
moon, the spherity of the planets and the
3 satellites Of Jupiter.
, In 1911, Calico went to Rome, wher
3 princes and cardinals fastened to 90 MN
: honor, and he was received by the FoP
: with the utmost condescensioo; but til
old philosophers, envious of his great rep
n tation endeayored to ruin him. lrritate
+ by their challenges, Calico went 90 far a
= to endeaVor to prove from Holy Scriptur
e the truth of his astronomical system. fo
= this arrogant blending of his own un
n proved theories with the sacred Wlltlns
y Galileo was summoned to Rome by tn
!. council of the Iuqufsition.. buringt III
"a progress of his examination he was lodge
:. az a guest in the palace of the ambassaot
It of the Grand Duke of Tuscany: havln
C received his sentence and made Ills recal
l. tation he left Rome still enjoying the g,
e teen and friendship of the reigning pontii
In 1923 he again visited the Eternal CT
- for the purpose of Offering his copgratuit
d ton to the new Pope, Urban VIII, VINO r
,e tceived him kindly. Notwithstanding
20 former recautatfon, Calico still eouglit
:. dogmatical tenet and published in 1926
n catalogues" in which he again endeavo
b. ed to prove the truth of the Copernic9
eysteu1 from the Bible. Besides this,
4 supported false philosophical theory,
be which he asserted that the earth. NOV
IN through the Atmosphere WHO VIZ A~."
! remains stationary. He was again cit
" before the Inquisition and his writln
e q Alter being detained during his trial
q ;. the palace Of the Tuscan ambassador
b. was sent to the Villa Media, where, retal
~. mo his own servant and allowed the uni
-. ~. stE;eted freedom of the magnificent 60
he dens. he was only a nominal prisoner;
't te 1855 Calico was permitted to visit Fle
20 e sO for the benefit of his health. Beft
l,V his death he lost his sight and became P;
he italy deaf. He died in l6G aged severn
i"e Historians have wilfuliy mis- stated ot
of the canse and the process of Galiieos trl
nal and would have US to consider hlm y
era msTtyr to the cause of learning but tn's