a vague discussion of it as this, however, did not compromise Galileo according to the decree of 5th March, 1616; but "Il Saggiatore" would have directly contravened the assumed absolute injunction to silence on that system of 26th February, and Galileo would certainly not have ventured to write in this style if the Commissary-General of the Holy Office had, in 1616, solemnly forbidden him to discuss the said doctrine in any way whatever (quovis modo). This is another proof that this famous prohibition was not issued to Galileo in the form in which it occurs in the archives of 26th February.
"Il Saggiatore" was, indeed, denounced to the Inquisition in 1625, by Galileo's opponents, as containing a concealed endorsement of the Copernican system, and a motion was made in the Congregation of the Holy Office to prohibit it, or at any rate to have it corrected; but it was not carried, and the party only prepared a defeat for themselves. In consequence of the denunciation, a cardinal was charged to investigate the matter, and to report upon it. He selected Father Guevara, General of the Theatines, to assist him, who, after careful examination of the work in question, spoke in high praise of it, recommended it most warmly to the cardinal, and even gave him a written statement, in which he explained that the opinion of the earth's motion, even if it had been maintained, would not have appeared to him a reason for condemning it.[1] Even Urban VIIL, who, we must suppose, was perfectly acquainted with the proceedings of 1616, does not appear to have had any scruples about "Il Saggiatore," for he had it read aloud to him at table, immediately after its publication,[2] and, as Galileo was assured, enjoyed it highly.[3]
- ↑ See for these transactions the letter of Mario Guiducci, from Rome, to Galileo, of 18th April, 1625. (Op. ix. pp. 78-80.)
- ↑ Cesarini's letter to Galileo, 28th October, 1623. (Op. ix. pp. 43, 44.)
- ↑ Rinuccini's letters to Galileo, 3rd November and 2nd December, 1623. (Op. Suppl. p. 154; and ix. p. 50.)
