20 GALILEO GALILEI. 



In this book, Galileo gave the results of scientific 

 research and discovery in the half century preced- 

 ing, using such clear yet brilliant style in writing 

 as to make the work attractive even to the un- 

 learned. 



It was ready for publication in March, 1630, but 

 to be sure that the pope did not object, Galileo 

 was urged to go in person to Rome. He went and 

 presented the matter to Urban, who gave his con- 

 sent provided that the title should show that the 

 Copernican system was treated as a hypothesis 

 merely, and that he, the pope, should write the 

 closing argument. 



Bather than forego the publication of that upon 

 which he had worked for years, Galileo consented, 

 and returned to Florence. A license to publish 

 was then obtained from the Inquisitor-General, and 

 the Vicar-General of Florence, after great delay. 

 A second and a third time the papal authorities 

 wished to look over the manuscript. Two years 

 went slowly by. 



Other anxieties came to the man of sixty-eight, 

 besides the long delay. The impecunious Michel- 

 angelo sent his wife, seven children, and a German 

 nurse, to the home of Galileo, to be taken care of. 

 The eldest nephew was sent to Eome to study mu- 

 sic. He was found to be obstinate, impudent, and 

 dissolute, " wicked ways " which his weak and in- 

 dulgent father said " he did not learn from me, or 

 any one else belonging to him. It must have been 

 the fault of his wet nurse ! " 



