SILVIO, a man of great learning, who raised himself from a low condition by his merit, was born at Rome in the year 1540. When he was but ten years old, he could make verses upon any subject proposed to him; and these so excellent, though pronounced extempore, that even a man of genius could not compose the like without a good deal of time and pains. The duke of Ferrara coming to Rome, to congratulate Marcellus II. upon his being raised to the pontificate, was so charmed with the genius of Antoniano, that he carried him to Ferrara, where he provided able masters to instruct him in all the sciences. From thence he was sent for by Pius IV. who made him professor of the belles lettres in the college at Rome. Antoniano filled this place with so much reputation, that, on the day when he began to explain the oration pro Marco Marcello, he had a vast crowd of auditors, and among these no less than 25 cardinals. He was afterwards chosen rector of the college; and after the death of Pius IV. being seized with a spirit of devotion, he joined himself to Philip Neri, and accepted the office of secretary to the Sacred College, offered him by Pius V. which he executed for 25 years with the reputation of an honest and able man. He refused a bishopric which Gregory XIV. would have given him; but he accepted the office of secretary to the briefs, offered him by Clement VIII. who made him his chamberlain, and afterwards a cardinal. Antoniano killed himself by too great fatigue: for he spent whole nights in writing letters; which brought on a sickness, whereof he died, in the 63rd year of his age. He wrote with such ease and fluency, that he never almost made any blot or rasure; and it is said of him, that he preserved the flower of his virginity during his whole life.