The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-30

A brief summary. of the notable
events in the life of the subject of Mr..
Robertson's study would not be amiss,
since from 1t the reader can draw his
own conclusions as to Sarpis greatness.
Pietro Sarpi, better known by his mon
astic name of Fra lPaolO Sarp, or
Father Paul" was born in Venice
Aug. II, 1862, being the son Of a poor
merchant, francesca Sarpi himself
native of San Vito. a small village in
the Friulian mountains. Pietro's
mother, Isabella Morelli, was equally
poor. but more distinguished, possess
ing by birth the rights of citizenship.
At twelve years of age. young Paolo, as
he ought now to be called, quilted a
school kept by his fathers brother-in
which he used to recite thirty lines of
Virgil without an error after hearing it
recited but once-and began to receive
instruction in the Servite monastery.
from one Fra Gianmaria ,Capella. The
Servite brotherhood, which PaOlo after
ward Joined, comprised friars, not
monks. It's members were not only
privileged but expected to commingle
with men and take an active part in
public affairs. on Nov. "a. 1866, Paolo
entered the order, his novitiate lasting
five years. That period Of his life dur
ing which he Is either connected with
this brotherhood as novitiate or as it's
provincial and afterward procurator re-
veals Sarpi as master scholar, a sue
cessful teacher and an ecclesiastic pos
sessed of the genius of organization
and command.
The Servite friars had a pleasing
habit of permitting their light to shine
forth. 1t was their custom to hold pub
lie debates at stated intervals, or dis
putations," as they were called. These
were participated in by their brightest
novitiates, who had to sustain the sharp
fire of pointed questions, not only from
elders and superors in the order, but
also from notable spectators in the
audience. 1t may be easily guessed
that Paolo, at thirteen, a master Of
Latin, Greek, Hebrew, mathematics
and philosophy, was proudly advanced
to the front by his Servite associates.
The first platform battle took place
Nov. %, 1866. in the church of Santa
Maria Gloriosa; and in 1t Sarp was
pitted against the ablest debater OF the
Minor Franciscans, a rival order. Our
"'o' "'a"S '"'s picture oi the re-
SUIT
,,,, ~, ,hI .s snn,,.1 WI ,''.i W oveI"o
mobiles and the riche.t and roost ,,iar, ay, ta'y
men in Venice. The practice nj tbesc
dialect displays seems to have been TO
place number of theses In the hands or
the disputants. who were called upon 10
deiena or ulsprove them by every arsI-
n,,a ,n .nes .ou'a t 'msent Tor themselves or
oils The nic,ura VOC ,ro as ,a'', anu ',, eou,- ~
see is this: the quiet sbrinkvre dciicoto
boy Paolo. but thirteen years nnd three
months old, clad in the black gown and
white cape and hood, and leathern girdle
or his order, standing up before that brill
,an, asse.,olase, ss,,, anu aemol,shing with
lion the nosJ,Io,a 81, h,s u,n apt quota
TO beat every one set nm agnins, hi,n Nv Nv
that, to use the phrase of Fra FuIgnnyio
his valued secretary, friend and bIog.
rapher, "he held firmly the crown against
them ALL" The great audience were
,.naAeo nm, ana uengh,eu, ana also. we are
tSn nv ,,soo, noe n,.e sinuseu, nv, LOT raolo. ieelng
forrettinr tbat ba bod ma na''n'S, ha, nv ,a a'"'
when he bouad 10 h,s @ ai,,ar, mo ma' ~ ralsc
Jd,ancs raan,a,.,,",,' ,S sa'S OF 'he nu'