And, in fact, Father Clement was not to Galileo's taste, and he proposed Father Hyacinthe Stephani, counsellor to the Holy Inquisition at Florence, who was approved by Riccardi. This ecclesiastic revised the work very thoroughly, and—so at least Galileo reports[1]—was moved to tears at many passages by the humility and reverent obedience which the author had displayed. Having made some insignificant corrections, suggested by extra caution, he gave the "Dialogues" his approval, and declared that the famous author should be begged to publish them rather than have obstacles placed in his way.
Riccardi, notwithstanding his friendship for Galileo, seems to have been of a different opinion. The preface and conclusion had been sent, but he had allowed weeks and months to pass without letting Galileo hear anything of them, to say nothing of sending them back. Castelli once wrote to Galileo that he had met Riccardi, and that he had told him that these portions were now quite in order, and that he would send them to Galileo immediately; but months again went by without his fulfilling his promise.
Galileo was in despair, and on 7th March, 1631, addressed a long letter to Bali Cioli, in which he first related the course of the negotiations respecting the "Dialogues"[2] in detail, and then asked for the powerful intervention of his Highness the Grand Duke, at Rome, to bring the business to a conclusion, so that he (Galileo) might enjoy while he lived these fruits of the labours of over fifty years. Little did Galileo foresee what dire results these "fruits" were to bring. On 8th March his request was granted, and he was informed that Niccolini, at Rome, would be commissioned in the name of
- ↑ Op. vi. p. 375.
- ↑ In the history of these negotiations we have to a great extent followed Galileo's narrative. (Op. vi. pp. 374–377.) Besides this, we have made use of two authentic documents, the memorial of the preliminary commission, before mentioned, to the Pope (Vat. MS. fol. 387 ro.–389 vo.), and the protocol of the trial of Galileo, 12th April, 1633 (Vat. MS. 413 ro.–419 ro.)
