The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-06-18
Calico Before the InquisitiOn.


cate Life Of Calico, compiled principally
from his letters and those of his eldest
daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, nun. II
is published by Nichols & Noyes, Boston,
ner. The work is one of absorbing inter-
est, giving as it does, with the principal
events of Galileo's life, view of his do
nestle habits, and of the little things OF
daily occurrence which forcibly exhibit
some af the characteristics of the man.
Calico always conducted the affairs of his
own household Che never married. and his
tact and management may be said to have
great discoveries.
The most interesting period of his life
was that in which he was brought to trial
before the Inquisition on the charge of
heresy.
We, in these times, can hardly conceive
Of anything SO ridiculous as bringing a man
to trial for asserting that the earth moves,
and that the sun is the centre Of the solar
system, yet Calico had committed no
greater offence than this.
He had written work in the form of a
dialogue, in which were discussed the two
systems of the world, the Ptolemaic and
the Copernican. Before this could be
printed, it was necessary that he should
obtain permission from Rome. After a
delay of nearly two years, in which Calico
experienced much anxiety, he was allowed
to print his work, provided preface writ
ten by the Pope should be incorporated in
the text. Calico, Of course, felt much re-
luctance to accede to this requirement, but
rather than have his book suppressed, he
consented, and soon copies Of the work
were circulated all through Europe it was
received apparently with great gratifica-
Rome an order for the sequestration of the
book, and then summons for Calico to
appear before the Sacred Congregation at
Rome, and answer to the charge of dissem-
mating in the Dialogue heretical doctrines.
The old philosopher-for he was now nearly
seventy years of age-received this order
with sorrow and apprehension. His phys
ical condition would not admit of so long a
journey at once, and he procured respite
for some months, when he was again ordered
to appear Immediately. Finally, he set
out upon his journey in January, 1888, and
arrived at Rome on the 18th of the follow
ing month. AS mark of respect to his
age and condition, he was not at once coll
fined in the Holy Office, but was allowed
to be the prisoner-guest of the Tuscan Am
bassador, Niccolini, who was one of Cali
leo's best friends at Rome, and one of the
most influential intercesSorS with the Pope
in his behalf On his first appearance be-
fore the dreaded Inquistion, he was merely
asked if he knew why lie had been sum-
moned, and answering in the affirmative,
he was remanded, and this time to the
Holy Office, being provided, however, with
one of the best rooms, and receiving every
attention, besides being allowed the liberty
of walking freely in the court.
When next he was brought before the
Inqusition, he was suffered to speak for
himself. He offered to add two more chap
tiers to the Dialogue refuting the Coperni-
can theory, as a proof that he did not hold
the forbidden doctrine. After this exami-
nation, Calico was cenditionally released
from the Holy Office and allowed again to
become the honored guest of Niccolini.
On May 10th, he was brought before the
Inquisition for the third time, and was told
that he might have eight days in which to
prepare his defence. His written defence
embodied in the main the answers and ex.
plantations he had made during his previous
examinations, and terminated with most
touching appeal for the mercy of the tri-
bunal. Calico had been given to under
stand that many of the members of the
Inquisition were personally well disposed
toward him, and that he might expect an
immediate discharge. But he was not to
get off SO easily. The Pope caused a de-
cree to be issued, in which final investi-
CATION was ordered for June 21st, when he
was to be rigidly examined as to his motive
in writing the Dialogue. He was to be
menaced with torture, which, if not sue
cessful, was to be followed by exacting an
abjuration from him of the charge of heresy.
Whether the Pope meant this to go into
effect or not is not known. Meanwhile the
Inquisiticn were celebrating upon his SEN
tence. On June 22d, he was ordered to
appear before the Sacred Congregation and
receive his sentence. Upon his knees he
received it. He was condemned to impris-
enment during the pleasure of the Holy
Office, and was, by way of penance, to re-
cite the Penitential Psalms once week for
three years. He then recited the abjuration
which the Pope had prepared fer him, and
signed it with his own hand. In this oc-
ours the following 81 have been judged
vehemently suspected of heresy-that is,
of having held and believed that the sun is
the centre of the universe and immovable
and that the earth is not the centre of the
same, and that it does move. -. I
abjure with a sincere heart and unfeigned
faith, curse and detest the said errors and
heresies, and generally all and every error
contrary to the Holy Catholic Church.
And swear that, for the future, l will
neither say nor assist in speaking or writ
ing such things as may bring upon me sim
liar suspicion. :. also swear and
promise to adopt and observe entirely all
the penances which have been or may be
by this Holy Office imposed ON me. And if
l contravene any of these said promises,
protests, OF oaths (Which God forbid 1
submit myself to all the pains and penal
ties which, by the Sacred Canons and other
DEGREES general and particular, are against
such offenders imposed and promulgated.
So help me God, and the Holy Gospels,
which l touch with my own hands,
1t is said that when Galilee arose from
his knees after the aIjuration, he muir
mured "Eppure 81 muore" cit does
move, though" But if he was not so bold
as thus to bid defiance openly to the Inqui-
sition to which he was so obedient, he held