MAIGNAN (Emanuel)

, a religious minim, and one of the greatest philosophers of his age, was born at Thoulouse in 1601. Like the famous Pascal, he became a complete mathematician without the assistance of a teacher; and filled the professor's chair at Rome in 1636, where, at the expence of Cardinal Spada, he published his book De Perspectiva Horaria, in 1648. Upon this book, Baillet, in his Life of Des Cartes, has the following passage: “M. Carcavi acquainted Des Cartes, that there was at Rome one father Maignan, a minim, of greater learning and more depth than father Mersenne, who made him expect some objections against his principles. This father's proper name was Emanuel, and his native place Thoulouse: but he lived at that time at Rome, where he taught divinity in the convent of the Trinity upon Mount Pincio, which they otherwise call the convent of the French minims.” Maignan returned to Thoulouse in 1650, and was created Provincial. His knowledge in mathematics, and physical experiments, were very early known; especially from <*> dispute which arose between him and father Kircher, about the invention of a catoptrical work.

The king, who in 1660 amused himself with the machines and curiosities in the father's cell, made him offers by Cardinal Mazarin, to draw him to Paris; but he humbly desired to spend the remainder of his days in a cloyster.—He published a Course of Philosophy, in 4 volumes 8vo, at Thoulouse, in 1652; to the second edition of which, in folio, 1673, he added two Treatises; the one against the vortices of Des Cartes, the other upon the speaking trumpet invented by Sir Samuel Morland.—He formed a machine, which shewed, by its movements, that Des Cartes's supposition concerning the manner in which the universe was formed, or might have been formed, and concerning the centrifugal force, was entirely without foundation.

Thus this great philosopher and divine passed a life of tranquillity, in writing books, making experiments, and reading lectures. He was frequently consulted by the most eminent philosophers; and has had a thousand answers to make, either by writing or otherwise. Never was mortal less inclined to idleness. It is said that he even studied in his sleep; for his very dreams employed him in problems, which he pursued sometimes till he came to a solution or demonstration; and he has frequently been awaked out of his sleep of a sudden, by the exquisite pleasure which he felt upon discovery of it. The excellence of his manners, and his unspotted virtues, rendered him no less worthy of esteem, than his genius and learning.—It is said that he composed with great ease, and without any alterations at all.—He died at Thoulouse in 1676, at 75 years of age.