Page:Galileo Galilei and the Roman Curia (IA cu31924012301754).pdf/298

 friend, who was at his side in every difficulty, and certainly did more for him at Rome than was ordered at Florence, and perhaps even more than was approved,—this historical figure, worthy of our utmost reverence,—was a liar! Happily it is with Dr. Scartazzini alone that the odium of the accusation rests; in the annals of history, the name of Niccolini stands untarnished, and every Italian, every educated man, will think with gratitude of the man who nobly and disinterestedly stood by the side of Galileo Galilei at the time of his greatest peril. Honour be for ever to his memory!

We give, in conclusion, one more instance of a curious kind of evidence that Galileo really was subjected to torture. Professor Eckert thinks he knows with "almost geometrical certainty that Galileo suffered torture during the twenty-four hours which he spent before the Inquisition." In proof of this assertion the author says: "In conclusion, the two hernias which the unfortunate old man had after his return is a proof that he must have endured that kind of torture called il tormento della corda." This shrewd conclusion falls to the ground in face of the medical certificate of 17th December, 1632, wherein among the rest we find: "We have also observed a serious hernia, with rupture of the peritoneum." And further, this certificate affords indisputable evidence that both his age and his state of health, in consequence of the rupture, were sufficient to protect him against torture according to the rules of the Holy Office. Galileo would have had to be professionally examined by a physician and surgeon, and, according to their written report, he would either have been subjected to torture, or a dispensation would have been granted against it, and all this would have been minutely