Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 66.djvu/357

Rh Office, who pronounced that some phrases of it looked ill at first sight, but that they were capable of interpretation in a good sense, and did not deviate from Catholic doctrine. Caccini was summoned to Rome as a witness and gave evidence, most of which was found to be baseless (November, 1615) and was disregarded.

Early in the same year Galileo had sent copies of the letter to Castelli to friends in Rome. It was greatly admired; but his friends, one and all, strenuously advised him to keep to philosophy and to avoid religious discussion. Prince Cesi expressly warns him to avoid all mention of the Copernican theory, for Cardinal Bellarmine—a good, great and powerful prince of the Church—had told him that in his opinion the theory was heretical and contrary to scripture. Cardinals Barberini, Del Monte and Bellarmine assured Galileo's Roman friends that so long as he confined himself to scientific questions and did not enter into theological interpretations of the Bible he had nothing to fear (August, 1615). All these cardinals were very friendly to Galileo personally, and their friendship stood him in good stead. Their attitude was representative of that of the church. So long as religion was not attacked science was to be free. Any assault on doctrine was to be repelled with vigor, and at all costs. Theological interpretation was not to be permitted to laymen. That was a business reserved by the church.

A Carmelite monk, Foscarini, printed in 1615 a letter on ‘the opinion of the Pythagoreans and of Copernicus of the mobility of the earth and the stability of the sun,’ which was widely read and quickly came to a second edition. The Inquisition was at this time considering Foscarini's book also. Galileo felt that his presence at Rome would be advantageous, and in December, 1615, he set out provided with letters of introduction from the Grand Duke to dignitaries, including the Tuscan ambassador, Guicciardini. He was received with honor as a celebrity. With no great effort he freed himself from all personal difficulties and was able to report (February 6, 1616) that the monk Caccini had made him a formal visit to ask his pardon. On the same day he writes to the Tuscan Secretary of State, Piechena: “My business, so far as it relates to myself, is completed. All the exalted personages who have been conducting it have told me so plainly and in a most obliging manner. . . . So far as this point is concerned, therefore, I might return home without delay.”

He goes on to say that it is proposed to pass judgment upon the Copernician doctrine, and that it is his conviction that he may be of use in the investigation of the matter, on account of his scientific knowledge. Accordingly he proposes to stay. He had been personally vindicated. It was his ardent desire to convert the Romans to the heliocentric theory. This he attempted by giving private lectures in