The Argosy — page 159: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

7 _ : a : a a a 7} SSS SS SS SS —— —= == —— — = = SS = = = — —-— =~ I {4 In Sunny Climes. San Francesco da Paglia,a Franciscan monk. There was a revulsion in public feeling against Savonarola, and he was brought to trial on a charge of misleading the people by false prophecies. He was found guilty of heresy and sedition, Rome confirmed the sentence, and he was given up to the secular power; together with Pescia and Maruffi, two others of his order. In spite of many efforts to avert the capital sentence, they were executed, and their bodies burnt, on May 23rd, 1498. Thus perished one of the greatest men of all ages ; one who had he been less great would probably have accomplished more. Fana- ticism was the cause of his downfall. Religious enthusiasm, the strength and might of his genius, carried away his judgment and discretion. The divine gift within him was too much for its earthly casket, and endeavouring to accomplish too much, he failed. It is no uncommon story and experience. And yet, in one sense, he did not fail. Huis influence was stupendous ; his reformation, if not universal, was widespread, and in some ways abiding. His name will be handed down to all time as one who was a follower of St. Paul: who, possessing many of the gifts and graces of the great apostle, also possessed some of his failings: errors which arose out of his very sincerity; his very desire and anxiety to do his utmost in the cause of good. Perhaps Savonarola never reached the spiritual heights of St. Paul. The latter never forgot to leave the issues in higher Hands than his own. Paul might plant and Apollos might water, but God alone gave the increase. It must be doubted whether Savonarola quite reached this sublime height of faith and humility: whether, humanly speak- ing, he possessed St. Paul’s well balanced mind and perfectly trained Organization. But it remains that his name has been handed down to posterity, and will shine in the annals of history as long as time shall last: one of the great men, one of the great religious reformers and enthusiasts, one of the Christian martyrs of the world. We turn from Savonarola, and a very different vision quickly rises » before us. The vision of an aged man sweeping the heavens with the first telescope, and entrenching with delight upon the borders of unknown worlds. Yet the religious enthusiast and the creator of. experimental science had much in common. Both were far seeing, both were men of thought and action; both loved their fellow men; the one was.quite shipwrecked, the other nearly so, by imprudence and want of tact and moderation. Though Galileo is more connected with Pisa and Padua than with Florence, the two names are yet inseparable. He was only eighteen when he made his first important discovery in science. Whilst watching the oscillations of a lamp in the cathedral at Pisa, he was arrested by the measured regularity of its vibrations, and this gave him the first idea of the pendulum in the measure- ment of time. His father had destined him for medicine; but CONNIE OOO KS 5(€)