_Thaddeus Alderotti._--Thaddeus Alderotti, who was born at Florence, Italy, 1223 A. D., of humble parentage, began the study of philosophy and medicine at Bologna only after he had reached manhood; but he was such an earnest student and made such good use of his opportunities that in 1260 he was chosen to serve as one of the teachers in the school. Throughout a period of many years he filled the office so acceptably that his colleagues bestowed upon him the name of “Master of Physicians.” Before this time arrived, however, his lack of funds was sorely felt, for he was obliged, in order to support himself, to offer consecrated wax candles for sale at the entrance of the church. He is reported to have been not merely a most learned physician, but also a very successful practitioner. He was called into consultation from all parts of the country, so highly was his opinion valued by other physicians; and thus in due time he accumulated a large fortune. His charges were by no means small. It is related, for example, that Pope Honorius IV. sent for him to come to Rome, and, after the treatment was completed, paid him a fee of 10,000 gold pieces[59]--but not until after he had expressed surprise that Thaddeus should have charged as much as 100 gold pieces per day for his services. To this demurrer on the part of the Pope, Thaddeus replied that the petty princes and even the simple nobles made no objection to paying him 50 or more gold pieces per day. It is scarcely necessary to add that the Holy Father did not wish to be outdone by his inferiors. Alderotti died 1303 A. D. Among the writings of Thaddeus Alderotti which have come down to our time there are to be found a number of autobiographical references which are not without interest. In one place, for example, he mentions the fact that he occasionally walks in his sleep, and then proceeds (in Latin) to discuss the phenomenon of sleep-walking as observed in his own case. I give here a free translation of the text printed in Neuburger’s History:--