Page:Galileo Galilei and the Roman Curia (IA cu31924012301754).pdf/227

CHAPTER VI.

GALILEO'S ARRIVAL AT ROME.

Galileo reaches Rome in February, 1632.—Goes to the Tuscan Embassy.—No Notice at first taken of his Coming.—Visits of Serristori.—Galileo's Hopefulness.—His Letter to Bocchineri.—Niccolini's Audience of the Pope.—Efforts of the Grand Duke and Niccolini on Galileo's behalf.—Notice that he must appear before the Holy Office.—His Dejection at the News.—Niccolini's Advice not to defend himself.

On 20th January this palsied old man set out, borne in a litter, on his arduous journey to Rome.^[1] Near Ponte a Centino, on the frontiers of the States of the Church, in the unhealthy flats of the vale of Paglia, he had to submit to a long quarantine, which, in spite of Niccolini's repeated efforts, had only been shortened two days.^[2] He could not resume his journey for twenty days, but arrived at length, on 13th February, at Rome, in good preservation, and alighted at the hotel of the Tuscan Embassy, where he was most kindly received by Niccolini. On the next day Niccolini informed Cioli that "Signor Galilei arrived yesterday evening in good health at this house." He mentioned further that Galileo had already called on Mgr. Boccabella, not as an official personage, as he had resigned his office of assessor to the Holy Office a fortnight ago, but as a friend who showed great interest in his fate, and to take his advice as to the conduct to be observed. Galileo had already introduced himself to the new assessor. Niccolini concluded his despatch by saying that to-morrow, in the course of the forenoon, he

1. The Inquisitor informed the Holy Office, two days later, that Galileo had left Florence on the 20th. (Vat. MS. fol. 411 ro.; and Gherardi's Documents, Doc. xii.)
2. Comp. Niccolini's letter to Galileo of 5th Feb., 1633. (Op. ix. p. 327.)