16G STATESMEN AND SAGES and bequeathed to us the right of exercising our faculties in examining the beau- tiful creation which surrounds us. Idolized by his friends, he deserved their af- fection by numberless acts of kindness ; by his good humor, his affability, and by the benevolent generosity with which he devoted himself, and a great part of his limited income, to advance their talents and fortunes. If an intense desire of being useful is everywhere worthy of honor ; if its value is immeasurably in- creased when united to genius of the highest order ; if we feel for one, who, not- withstanding such titles to regard, is harassed by cruel persecution, then none de- serve our sympathy, our admiration, and our gratitude, more than Galileo." CARDINAL RICHELIEU (1585-1642) ARMAND JEAN Du PLESSIS, Duke of Riche- lieu, the future cardinal, was the third son of Francois Du Plessis, Grand Provost of the French Court, and was born on September 5, 1585, at Paris, say his biographers, Aubery and Leclerc ; while tradition claims this honor for the family chateau in Poitou. He received the elements of education at home from the Prior of St. Florent, but soon quitted the pa- ternal mansion, first for the College of Navarre, subsequently for that of Lisieux. From thence he removed to a military academy, being in- tended for the profession of arms. But on his brother, who was Bishop of Lucon, resolving to quit the world for the cloister, young Ar- mand was advised to abandon the sword for the gown, in order that he might succeed to his brother's bishopric. He adopted the advice, entered with zeal into the study of theology, and soon qualified himself to pass creditablythrough the exercises necessary to obtain the degree of doctor in theology. He already wore the insignia of his bishopric, but the Pope's sanction was still wanting, and was withheld on account of the extreme youth of the expectant. Resolved to overcome this difficulty, he set off to Rome, addressed the pontiff in a Latin oration, and gave such proofs of talent and acquirements above his age, that he was consecrated at Rome on the Easter of 1607, being as yet but twenty-two years of age. This position attained, Richelieu endeavored to make the utmost advantage of it He acquired the good-will of his diocese by rigid attention to the affairs
