GALILEO. 75 



the submission of the whole work to a competent theologian of the 

 Benedictine order, and that the introduction and conclusion should be 

 sent, before issue, to the censor at Rome. The whole matter was 

 then transferred to the inquisitor at Florence and the book was printed 

 with the entire approval of Father Stephani, who had been charged 

 with its supervision. The introduction and conclusion were duly sent 

 to Rome, but the Roman censor kept them for months without giving 

 his approval or, in fact, without communicating with Galileo. It was 

 clear that Riccardi was doubtful. Through the Tuscan ambassador 

 at Rome renewed efforts were made by Galileo to obtain Riccardi's 

 approval, and, in the meantime, without waiting for it (March 1631) 

 the printing was proceeded with at Florence. Riccardi (April 28, 

 1631) at last answered Galileo's request, refusing the imprimatur until 

 new conditions had been fulfilled. The censor, in this letter, recalled 

 the fact that this original imprimatur was only given conditionally. 



" Father Stephani," says the censor, " has no doubt subjected the 

 book to a conscientious revision; but as he was not acquainted with the 

 Pope's views he had no power to give any approval, etc." A desire 

 to delay the whole matter is evident. Riccardi fears for himself; he 

 knows the Pope's views; he is a firm friend of Galileo's also. After 

 further negotiations (May, 1631) the whole matter was referred to 

 the inquisitor at Florence with full powers. Riccardi conveyed to the 

 inquisitor the ' views ' that must govern his decision : The Copernican 

 system must be treated only as a mathematical hypothesis; there must 

 be no reference to Scripture; the introduction and the conclusion of 

 the book the censor will send from Rome. Accordingly, they were 

 sent with permission to Galileo to change the rhetorical style but 

 not the matter. It is the opinion of certain good authorities that the 

 Pope himself revised the introduction. The book was finally printed 

 (February, 1632) with the imprimatur of Rome and also of Florence. 

 The authorities at Rome had not seen the text of the Dialogues. It 

 appears that throughout the long and vexatious delays Galileo obeyed 

 all explicit instructions given by the censors. There were good reasons 

 for removing the printing of the work to Florence. It is, however, 

 certain that it would never have been authorized in Rome in its final 

 shape. 



(To be continued.) 



