But Epinois had only just made hasty copies of the most important, and indices of others, when he was compelled by urgent private affairs to return to France. The copies of the Vatican MS. which he took with him were therefore in many respects inaccurate and incomplete, and even the indices left much to be desired. Nevertheless, historical research will always be indebted to Epinois for publishing his notes, in spite of their shortcomings, which were best known to himself.[1] The melancholy picture of Galileo's trial was first presented in faithful outline, and it became possible to weave the story with approximate accuracy. Many details, however, were still wanting; and though the fictitious stories of many writers were considerably checked by Epinois's communications, some scope was still left for them. What was wanted was the entire publication of the Vatican MS., and if possible with diplomatic precision.
Nine years again went by, during which Epinois seems to have found no opportunity of completing his work. Meanwhile, Professor Domenico Berti asked for the favour of a sight of the papers, and in 1876 he was engaged in Theiner's room in copying the documents.[2] In the same year his work, "Il Processo Originale di Galileo Galilei," appeared, bearing upon the title page the unwarranted addition, "publicato per la prima volta da Domenico Berti." Epinois had been the first to publish the Vatican MS., though only partially; the words would only have been correct if Berti had published them complete. This he professes to have done,[3] but as five documents are wanting, and the contents of fifty others only shortly given, it cannot be regarded as complete.
- ↑ Revue des questions historiques, Paris, July, 1867.
- ↑ . . . "e avernmo fra le mani il desiderato volume nella stanza del padre Theiner testè rapito dolorosamente ai vivi." ("Il Processo Originale," etc., p. x.)
- ↑ "Egli è adunque per la prima volta che i due processi Galeleiani sono publicati nella loro integrità." Page xii.
