[Footnote 23: Printed in the Opere di Galileo, vol. VI. pp. 117-191.] [Footnote 24: Printed in the Opere di Galileo, vol. VI. pp. 191-571.] [Footnote 25: This work is said to have been dedicated to Urban VIII. himself (Lib. U. Knowledge, Life of Galileo, chap, VII.), but there is no dedication prefixed to the edition we have referred to; and it is, besides, unusual to dedicate a volume to any person when that volume has the form of a letter to another.] [Footnote 26: A fine painting in gold, and a silver medal, and "a good quantity of agnus dei."] [Footnote 27: Library of Useful Knowledge, Life of Galileo, chap. VIII.] [Footnote 28: The communication between Florence and Rome was at this time interrupted by a contagious disease which had broken out in Tuscany.] [Footnote 29: It has been said, but upon what authority we cannot find, that when Galileo rose from his knees, he stamped on the ground, and said in a whisper to one of his friends, "_E pur si muove._" "It does move, though."--Life of Galileo, Lib. Use. Knowledge, part II. p. 63.] [Footnote 30: These phenomena are explained in the volume on "Astronomy."] [Footnote 31: It is a curious fact, that Morin had about this time proposed to determine the longitude by the moon's distance from a fixed star, and that the commissioners assembled in Paris to examine it, requested Galileo's opinion of its value and practicability. Galileo's opinion was highly unfavourable. He saw clearly, and explained distinctly, the objection to Morin's method, arising from the imperfection of the lunar tables, and the inadequacy of astronomical instruments; but he seemed not to be conscious that the very same objections applied, with even greater force, to his own method, which has since been supplanted by that of the French savant. See life of Galileo, Library of Useful Knowledge, p. 94.] GUICCIARDINI 1482-1540. Guicciardini was the contemporary and intimate friend of Machiavelli, but their several careers bore small similitude; for worldly prosperity attended the first, while the other was depressed by neglect and penury; and while his intellect struggled with these chains, the nobler parts of his disposition yielded to them. Machiavelli was a republican in principle, of humble for tunes, and dependent on his friends for their favour and encouragement. Guicciardini was a courtier; he was the servant of a prince, not of a state; in birth and position in life he had the advantage of his friend; and these combining circumstances rendered him more confident in himself, while at the same time it inspired him with an avowed dislike for popular governments. The Guicciardini formed one of the noblest families of Florence: it was of ancient origin, and possessed several magnificent mansions in Florence. One of the streets is named de' Guicciardini, from containing a palace belonging to them; and they had large possessions in the Val di Pesa.