The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-02-03
VICTIM OF The ROMAN lNQUIsITION
Was an Ardent Advocate of the
Copernican Theory.
NOT CONTRARY TO THE HOLY BIBLE
Basing His Theory on Scripture
Caused His Trouble.

The name OF Calico is about as ia
nous as that OF any OF the noted sci
entists OF the past says M. C. Rowcll
in the Catholic Transcript. The reason
for this is not so much the achieve
ments OF his genius as the obstacles he
encountered i'll the prosecution OF his
labors, and the undue prominence al
lottcd to them. He is Justly credited
with some startling and original invcn-
tions and discoveries in the domain OF
science, while on the other hand certain
products of his genius, Tor which some
historians have given him unqualified
credit, had their foundation laid by
other scientists long before he saw the
light. He had his friends and his enc
mics; both have given their opinion OF
the man. Some historians have written
his biography without regard to the
conditions OF the times in which he
lived. | have viewed his career under
the light of the declining century, and,
according to the spirit and critcria by
which they would judge man at the
present day, not unmixed with some
show OF prejudice and ignorant intolcr-
ancc, have placed before lis a martyr to
science. Others have judged him calm
ly, without prejudice; have given due
merit when it was deserved, and have
hsown that the obstacles he encountered
were not unreasonable, considering the
tenor OF the age, and his personal tenn
perament which was almost invariably
sarcastic and dictatorial. The historian
who would give us proper insight into
the career of Calico, must judge him
by the light of the sixteenth, not tho
nineteenth century, and sift with unbi-
ascd discernment the motives, whether
OF State or 1nquisition, that prevented
him having free hand in proclaiming
the results of his Investigations.
Calico was born at Paris in the
month of February, 1864 He was a
descendant OF noble Florcntinc fam
lily, more ancient than opulcnt. His
father was famous as mathematician,
and so well vcrscd in the science of mu-
sic as to produce work on its theory
and practice; but not finding either OF
these sciences sufficiently rcmuncrative,
he advised his son to apply himself to
the study OF medicine. Calico had,
from youth, remarkable aptitude for
invention. His classical studies, includ-
ing special course in logic, were begun
at the University OF Vallombrosa. There
was laid the foundation of that elegant
convincing style for which his writings
are noted. He inherited his fathers
taste for music, in which science he had
few superiors among his contcmpo-
rarics. In painting he was proficient,
some Of the most celebrated artists be-
ing indebted to his judgment Mathc-
mates, however, was the natural bent
OF his genius. In the course OF trial he
relinquisEcd the study OF medicine and
devoted his time and talents almost en-
tircly to physical science His sue
cess was phenomenal. When, in
his 24tl year, he published his famous
essay on the center of gravity, wherein
he developed and brought to light many
principles hitherto unknown, the work
attracted the attention OF the Pisan uni
vcrsity, and he was rewarded by having
the profcssorship of mathematics Of
icrcd him, which he accepted.
His skill in dynamicaI science soon
incurred the cnmity OF the Aristotclians,
particularly when he proved the ialsty
OF one OF their principles, that the We
locity OF a falling body is proportonatc
to its weight. This cnmity was bitter
and longlivcd. They thwartcd him at
every step, and were the instigators OF
almost every malicious influence that
was directed against him. The sarcas-
tic onslaughts of his polished rhetoric
against these foilcd rivals did not tend
to smooth the situation, and he was
forced to resign his position at the uni
vcrsity and retire to Florence. After a
few months residence there, he is again
protesting mathematics, this time at the
of Padua. He held this post
for eighteen years. They were years of
prosperity. He was not hampcrcd by
the hostile forces OF jealous rivals aided
by subservient superiors, as at Pisa.
He had full scope and ample opportu-
mites to delve in the hidden mine of ma
fure'4 freasurea and unfold its secret,