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in the power of any creature to make them to be true or false, otherwise than of their own nature, and in fact they are." The author, Mr. D. B., immediately subjoins: — "We have been more particular in extracting these passages, because it has been advanced by a writer of high reputation, that the treatment which Galileo subsequently experienced was solely in consequence of his persisting in the endeavour to prove that the Scriptures were reconcilable with the Copernican theory, whereas we see here distinctly that, for the reasons we have briefly stated, he regarded this as a matter altogether indifferent, and beside the question." Bergier is referred to, and the passage quoted in a note. It will be seen in the sequel why I have introduced this extract. I wish Mr. D. B. had shewn himself better acquainted with the Roman Indexes than the note, p. 59, discovers him to have been. It would, as the reader will have seen, have strengthened his argument abundantly and even conclusively.
The next letter, February 16, 1614, observes, with respect to the preceding, that it was written currente calamo; and the writer adds, that he had shewn more zeal for the Church and for the dignity of the Scriptures than his
