Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 66.djvu/358

354 many of the great houses of Rome. His lectures began by stating all the arguments in favor of Ptolemy's system and then went on to demolish them one by one, leaving nothing standing. The lectures were admired by many great folk, and Galileo gained a great personal success for the time. His very success made his well-wishers uneasy and unquiet.

Before Galileo's visit, Fra Paolo Sarpi, professor of philosophy in Venice, distinguished as a champion of free thought and as a friend of Galileo had written: “I hear that Galileo is going to Rome, where he is invited by several Cardinals to explain his new discoveries in the heavens. I fear much that, in such a case, he may develop the reasons that lead him to prefer the doctrine of Copernicus, which will be far from pleasing to the Jesuits and other monks. They have changed what was only a question of physics and astronomy into a theological question, and I foresee, with great vexation, that Galileo, in order to live in peace, and not labeled as heretic and excommunicate, will be constrained to abjure his real sentiments on this matter. A day will come, of that I am almost sure, when enlightened men will deplore the misfortune of Galileo and the injustice done to so great a man. But, pending that day, he must suffer, and he must not complain otherwise than secretly.”

The Tuscan ambassador at Rome was anxious to be rid of Galileo, and in many letters reports that it were well he returned home. He hints that Galileo's course may even bring dangers to Tuscany; he can not ‘approve that we should expose ourselves to such annoyances and dangers without very good reason.’ He insinuates that Cardinal Carlo de Medici may be compromised (March 4, 1616). “Galileo seems disposed to emulate the monks in obstinacy, and to contend with personages who can not be attacked without ruining yourself; we shall soon hear at Florence that he has madly tumbled into some abyss or other.” “The moment is badly chosen to promulgate a philosophical idea.” The Grand Duke, from friendliness to Galileo and in fear of untoward complications, gave instructions for his recall, which were conveyed in a dispatch from the ducal secretary: “You have had enough of monkish persecutions. . . . His Highness fears that your longer tarrying at Rome might involve you in difficulties, and would therefore be glad, as you have so far come honorably out of the affair, if you would not tease the sleeping dog any more, and would return here as soon as possible. For there are rumors flying about which we do not like, and the monks are all powerful.” Galileo set out for Florence on the fourth of April, 1616.

Let us stop for a moment to inquire what the course of affairs would have been if Galileo, whose personal affairs were honorably concluded on February 6, had thereupon returned to Florence. He had