THE COPERNICAN VERSUS THE PTOLEMAIC ASTRONOMIES[6] Formerly I used frequently to visit the marvelous city of Venice and to meet there Signore Giovan Francesco Sagredo, a man of most distinguished ancestry and remarkable intelligence. Thither also came from Florence, Signore Filippo Salviati, whose least claim to renown was his noble blood and great wealth; a noble mind, that held no enjoyment of greater price than that of study and thought. With both of these men I often discussed these questions, in the presence of a Peripatetic philosopher, who apparently valued the acquisition of knowledge in no way in so high a degree, as he did the renown which his interpretations of Aristotle had gained for him. Now that cruel death has robbed the cities of Venice and Florence of these two enlightened men in the bloom of their years, I have endeavored, as far as my weak powers may permit, to perpetuate their fame in these pages by making them the speakers in this dialogue. The valiant Peripatetic also shall not fail to appear; because of his over-weaning love for the commentary of Simplicius, it seemed permissible to omit his own name and let him pass under that of his favorite author. May the souls of these two great men accept this public testimony of my undying love; may the recollection of their eloquence aid me in setting down for posterity the spoken discussions. SECOND DAY SALVIATI: We departed yesterday so often and so far from the direct path of our discussion, that I can scarcely return to the right point and proceed without your help.