The scientific knowledge of Dante : a lecture delivered at the Victoria University of Manchester before the members of the "Manchester Dante Society" / by D. Lloyd Roberts.

  • David Lloyd Roberts
Date:
1914
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: The scientific knowledge of Dante : a lecture delivered at the Victoria University of Manchester before the members of the "Manchester Dante Society" / by D. Lloyd Roberts. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    his Virgilio nel Medio Evo,” attributed to him wonderful powers, amongst which was that of curing loathsome diseases. That Dante made profound studies in astronomy, is inferred from the cosmography of the “ Divine Comedy,” one of the grandest conceptions that the human mind ever imagined. Very numerous are the references to this branch of science, not only in the immortal poem, but also in the Comnvio and Vita Nuova. The subject has been dealt with exhaustively by Dr. Moore in his Studies, 3rd series, pages I—108. I must therefore refer my readers to that volume where they will obtain a mass of information. It is a matter of regret,” says Dr. Moore, ‘‘ that even students of ability and culture often refuse so much as to attempt to understand Dante’s astronomical references. ” GEOGRAPHY. Those who have read carefully the “ Divine Comedy ” cannot fail to have been impressed with the accuracy with which Dante describes the Geo- graphical features of Italy, nay Europe, and of the then known world. Of a scientific treatise on Physical Geography, by Dante, I must make mention. When Father Moncetti brought out in 1508 the Qumstio de Aqua et Terra, professing to be a lecture delivered by Dante in the Church of Sant’ Elena, at Verona, its authenticity was not seriously called
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