The Private Life of Galileo Compiled principally from his correspondence and that of his eldest daughter

Abstract

THE numerous works which have appeared with Galileo for their theme may be divided into three classes. Firstly, those which relate mori particularly to his persecution by the Church, the position and influence of the Sacred College in his day, and its attitude towards science. Secondly, those which treat of his scientific labours apart from himself, their nature and character, and their influence on the propagation of truth, the advancement of modern philosophy, and the downfall of Aristotelianism. Thirdly, those which discuss his private life. The first and last of these are often blended, more or less, and of necessity, but we know too little of his scientific labours. M. Parechappe has well remarked, “Le savant s'est efface dans le martyr.” The works of Galileo, if much talked of, are certainly little read—“II Saggiatore”and the “Dialoghi”are even less read than the “De Augmentis Scientiarum”and the “Novum Organum;”while the “Principia”of Descartes occupies a position of notoriety midway, perhaps, between “II Saggiatore” and the ” Novum Organum,” and we have a little difficulty in placing the writings of Hobbes. Yet it is undeniable that the works of these four men have produced a more profound and permanent influence upon human thought than any which preceded them. There is but one epoch in the history of the world to be compared with their epoch; it is that of Aristotle. The Private Life of Galileo. Compiled principally from his correspondence and that of his eldest daughter, Sister Maria Celeste, nun in the Franciscan convent of S. Matthew at Arcetri. 307 pp. (London: Macmillan and Co. 1870)