F792. the dream of Gatileo. 179 
THE DREAM OF GALILEO, 
"OR 
THE PLEASURES OF KNOWLEDGE. 
Translated from the German. 
Gattteo was twice brought before the Inquistion at 
Rome, because he defended the system of Copernicus, 
which appeared to be inconsistent with the sacred wri- 
tings. The second time he lay long in prison, and in 
great uncertainty with regard to his fate ; at last he was 
released upon this condition, that he fhould not depart 
from the duchy of Tuscany. The most important of his 
astronomical discoveries, made partly alone, and partly 
with afsistance, are those which are mentioned in this 
dream. He lived, after his last imprisonment, at his 
country seat near Arcetri in Tuscany, having lost his 
sight, but enjoying, till his death, the society of Viviani, 
who was afterwards his biographer, and who was accusto- 
med never to subscribe his name without the addition of the 
‘scholar of Galileo.” These few introductory observa- 
tions will probably render the following efsay more intel- 
ligible than it would otherwise have been. 
Galileo, whose labours in the cause of science had gi- 
ven him so fair a claim to immortality, was now living at 
Arcetri in Tuscany, and enjoying a peaceful and honour- 
able old age. He was already deprived of the noblest of 
his senses, but he still rejoiced at the appearance ofthe spring ; 
partly on account of the return of the nightingale, and 
the sweet fragrance of the reviving blofsoms; and partly of 
account of the lively recollection which he still retained of 
the pleasures that were past. 
It was in the last of these seasons which he lived to en- 
joy, that Viviani, the youngest and most affectionate of 
Z 
