It was the vice of the age to confound science with sorcery, and Bruno had lent himself to this delusion by his whimsical style.

Perhaps the booksellers, who then played a part scarcely less prominent than that of the barbers in diffusing gossip, inflamed Mocenigo's curiosity by painting the author of the puzzling volume in seductive colors.

Any how this man sent two letters, one through Ciotto, and one direct to Bruno, praying him to visit Venice, professing his desire for instruction, and offering him an honorable place of residence.
[Footnote 101: Sarpi mentions the return of Ciotto from the fair (_Lettere_, vol.i.p.

527).] [Footnote 102: Ciotto, before the Inquisition, called the book _De Minimo Magno et Mensura_.

It may therefore have been the _De Triplici Minimo et Mensura_, and not the _De Monade_ (_Vita di G.B._ p.