Genre:

Essay

Subjects:

Institutions, Mathematics, Astromony, Invention, Navigation,

     Introduces the two Sicilies as 'the seat of tremendous volcanos' which 'have been agitated in all ages by political convulsions still more dangerous than those of nature'. Describes Emperor Frederick II as 'the founder of the school of Salerno, who patronised the sciences and successfully cultivated them himself'. (286) Lists the later monarchs of the two Sicilies and relates that King Robert of Naples as encouraging 'the study of sound philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, caused Aristotle to be translated into Latin, and collected the most valuable works in his library'. Asserts that 'about this period Flavio Gioia, a native of Amalfi, reflected honour on the Neapolitan nation by his invention, or rather improvement, of the mariner's compass, that guide which paved the way to the discovery of a new world' (287).