Page:Galileo Galilei and the Roman Curia (IA cu31924012301754).pdf/245

 With this deposition, the last part of which is quite incorrect, the first hearing closed. Silence having been imposed on Galileo on oath on subjects connected with his trial, he was taken to an apartment in the private residence of the fiscal of the Holy Office in the buildings of this tribunal. Here he enjoyed (as appears from his own letters and Niccolini's reports) kind and considerate treatment. On 16th April he wrote to Geri Bocchineri:—

Niccolini had been permitted to board Galileo, and his servants took the meals to his rooms, so that Galileo could keep his own servant about him, and he was even allowed to sleep in the buildings of the Holy Office. No obstacle was placed in the way of free correspondence between Galileo and Niccolini. The former wrote to his exalted friend and