" 2ndly. The proposition that the earth is not the centre of the world, nor immoveable, but that it mores, and also with a diurnal motion, is absurd, philosophically false, and theologically considered at least erroneous in faith." After a long and declamatory expoa6, from one passage in which it has been suspected that Galilei was put to the torture, it concludes thus:— "IV. decree that the book of the Dialogues' of Galileo Galilei be prohibited by edict; wo condemn you to the priion of this office during pleasure; we order you, for the next three weeks, to recite once a week the seven penitential psalms, &a &c." To obtain so mild a sentence Galilei was obliged to abjure, on the Gospels, his belief in the Copernican doctrine. We quote a part of his abjuration: " With a sincere heart and unfeigned faith I abjure, curse, and detest the raid errors and heresies (viz that the earth moves, Ise.); 1 swear that I will never in future say or aseert anything, verbally or in writing, which may give rise to a similar suspicion against "I Galileo Galilci have abjured as above with my own hand." Rising from his knees after this solemnity, he whispered to a friend, "E )fur se muove" (" it moves, for all that").
This seeteuce and abjuration having been generally promulgated, the disciples of Gelilei fouud it necessary to act with prudence ; but their esteem for their master was not diminished by this compulsory abjuration.
Afflictions followed quickly the old age of GalileL In April 1634 ho lost a beloved daughter, who was hie only stay. lie was allowed to return to Arcetri, where she breathed her last, but he was still kept in strict confinement. After two years spent iu this unhappy condition, his confinement became more rigorous through some new suspicions entertained by the pope; so that, after having been allowed to remove to Florence for the benefit of his declining health, he was ordered to return to Arcetri. In 1636 he became totally blind, about which time he finished his 'Dialogues on Motion,' which were remark able enough for the time or for any other man, though not perhaps commensurate with the high ideas associated with the name of Galilei; and though he believed this work could not annoy the holy office, yet the terror was so great and universal that he could not get it published until some years after, when it was undertaken at Amsterdam.
Amongst the most celebrated pupils of Galilei are Viviani and Torricelli, the former of whom in particular bore a strong attachment for his master. While Torricelli was arranging a continuation for the 'Dialogues on Motion,' Galilei was suddenly taken ill with a palpitation of the heart, and, having lingered two months, he died on the 8th of January 1642.
Galilei appears to have been of a sprightly temperament, easily crossed and easily reconciled ; his kindness to his relatives, which distinguished him from his childhood to old age, and which went frequently to such an extent as to embarrass himself, forms a noble trait in his domestic character; he was somewhat attached to thd bottle, and was considered a good judge of wine ; he contrived to have his son Vincentio legitimised, but afterwards had the misfortune to fiud his hopes in this lad rather disappointed. Galilei was also acknow ledged to have an excellent taste for music, painting, and poetry, and the style of his Dialogues' is still much praised by his countrymen.
Gahlei's works have been collected in 13 vols. 8vo, Milan, 1811; there have been also several other collections of the same, and they have been published in separate tracts.
Viviaui, his disciple, wrote his life, and left a legacy to raise a monument to his memory. Newton was born one year after Galilee death.
One of the best-written biographies of Galilei that has yet appeared is by Mr. Drinkwater, in the 'Library of Useful Knowledge.' A learned and elaborate, though not verytemperate, defence of the proceedings of the Roman Catholic Church, was published in the 'Dublin Review' for July 183S.