7o POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



dialectic skill and a literary masterpiece. The original controversy 

 about the comets is almost lost sight of. The errors of Grassi are 

 shown up mercilessly. The Copernican system, which Galileo ' as 

 a pious Catholic considers entirely erroneous and completely denies' 

 is covertly defended. It is shown to agree with the revelations of 

 the telescope ; and these are proved to be inexplicable on any other sys- 

 tem. As the Copernican opinion is, however, condemned by the 

 church, as Ptolemy's is untenable, and Tycho's inadequate, Galileo 

 concludes that some other system must be sought for. 



In this brilliant essay — which was withheld until Galileo's power- 

 ful friend was seated in the pontifical chair — Galileo held, taught and 

 defended the Copernican doctrine. It was supposed to be, at least, 

 safe for him to do so in a covert way. The book was read by the 

 Pope, who enjoyed it highly — so Galileo heard. It was examined by 

 the Inquisition and no action was taken. By these and other signs 

 Galileo judged that an attempt to remove the condemnation of the 

 Copernican system might now, at least, succeed. Its weightiest op- 

 ponent, Cardinal Bellarmine, an earnest, sincere and learned man, had 

 died in 1621. Galileo proposed to go to Eome to congratulate the new 

 Pope on his accession. The proposal was well received. Friends 

 wrote to him : " I swear to you that nothing pleased his holiness so 

 much as the mention of your name . . . the Pope replied that it would 

 give him great pleasure, ... if the journey would not be injurious 

 to your health ; for great men like you must spare themselves that they 

 may live as long as possible." 



Galileo arrived in Eome towards the end of April, 1624. He 

 was received with the greatest honor. Every one knew the Pope to 

 be his friend and that he had many supporters among notabilities. 

 In the space of six weeks he was granted six long audiences with the 

 pontiff. The Copernican system was discussed. Galileo argued 

 warmly in its favor. He met with no success, while the Pope replied 

 with arguments of his own against it. The new doctrine was not to 

 be tolerated. Certain of the cardinals, at Galileo's request, engaged 

 in the matter. The Pope was inexorable. No one can decide now 

 what the Pope's arguments were. From the whole course of events, 

 it seems probable that he was not satisfied that the Copernican theory 

 was true; and it is evident that his mind was made up to allow no 

 scandal to arise from its teaching. Galileo returned home loaded with 

 favors. A pension was promised to his son. The Pope gave him a 

 splendid picture, and two medals, and furthermore addressed a letter 

 to the Grand Duke of Tuscany (June 7, 1624) in which he declares 

 that Galileo's great discoveries i will shine on earth so long as Jupiter 

 and his satellites shine in heaven.' ' That you may fully understand 

 to what extent he is dear to us, we wish to give this brilliant testimony 



