GALIA'NI. FERDINANDO, an Italian savant, was b. in Chieti, a province of the Abruzzi, in 1728, and exhibited at an early period an extraordinary aptitude for learn ing. Philosophy, history. archmology, and more especially the science of political economy, were his favorite studies; but, nevertheless, he first attracted notice by a clever squib on the death of the public executioner. This consisted of a collection of essays eulogistic of the deceased, in which the style of the president and leading mem bers of the Neapolitan academy was admirably imitated. His next publication, Della Moneta, written when he was barely twenty, evinced his great learning and powers of reflection, and must be regarded as a valuable contribution to the science of political economy. Its leading principle is, that coin is a merchandise, and that its value and interest ought to be left free like other goods. In 1751, he visited the chief cities of and was everywhere honorably received. Having during his travels acquired an enthusiastic love for naturalistic pursuit, on his return to Naples he collected a rich assortment of the stones and volcanic matter of Vesuvius, which he subsequently pre sented to the pope, accompanied by a learned thesis. On one of the stone specimens,
he engraved the following suggestive inscription, "Bea tissime pater, fac ut lapides jai and received, by way of answer, the rich prebend of Amalfi, for which he had previously qualified himself by entering into holy orders. In 1759, he became secretary to the Neapolitan embassy at Paris, where his wit, vivacity, and learning made him a universal favorite. In 1767, he visited England, whose social and political institutions be studied deeply. On his return to Paris, he wrote another treatisa on political economy, entitled Dialoghi sul Commercio del Grano (Dialogues upon the Trade in Corn), in which he argues against both the extreme protectionists and the pure free-traders. Being recalled to Naples, he was successively appointed to various posts of trust and importance. He died at Naples in 1787, leaving behind him rare collec tions of musical MSS., ancient coins, sculptures, medals, precious stones, cameos, etc.