opinion. But, in order to do it successfully, he must first acquaint himself thoroughly with Galileo's arguments; and, therefore (and now comes the gist of the matter) he urgently begs Castelli to let him see Galileo's apologetic letter.
Fortunately it was no longer in Castelli's possession, for he had returned it to the author. For not only did he not in the least perceive the trap that was laid for him, but was so innocent as to inform Galileo of the request and warmly to second it.[1] But Galileo had suspicions, and delayed to reply. The archbishop was annoyed, and reported in two letters to Rome, of 8th and 28th of March,[2] that Castelli was convinced that he only wanted to see the letter out of curiosity, and as the common friend of both had written to Galileo; still Galileo had not sent it. Bonciani therefore asks "whether he shall be more open with Castelli?" But this time cunning did not attain its end; at the repeated urgency of Castelli,[3] Galileo at last sent him a mere copy without signature, and with the express reservation that he was not to let it go out of his hands. From a letter of Castelli's[4] to Galileo we learn that in obedience to this injunction Castelli read it to the archbishop in presence of several canons, and that he diplomatically concealed his annoyance at the failure of his intrigue, and put a good face on it, for Castelli adds with great satisfaction that the archbishop had highly praised Galileo's demonstrations, and lauded to the ecclesiastics present the modesty and reverence for Holy Scripture therein displayed.
So Cardinal Mellini had to content himself with a copy of Galileo's criminated epistle, to lay before the consultor of the Holy Office for his opinion. He pronounced that some words and phrases occurred in the document that were unsuitable; but, although at first sight they looked ill, they were capable
