The establishment of a system of censorship did not meet all the difficulties in the way of a thorough supervision and regulation of literature. The University Commissioners, to whom had been referred the censorship other than ecclesiastical, were apparently not always able to make examination of all pending publications or did not, at least, always insist upon a personal examination. The publishers began to make a practice (on the ground of lightening the labours of the Commissioners) of having their forthcoming works examined by readers selected by themselves. On the strength of a favourable report from these friendly examiners, the Commissioners would issue their certificate that the work contained nothing objectionable, and with this _testamur_ the publishers would secure, without further question, the _imprimatur_ of the Ten. Under this procedure a number of objectionable works found their way into print. The Commissioners finally, in 1562, gave orders to their secretary that thereafter no authorisations should be given for any printing whatsoever until the work had been examined and favourably reported upon, first, by the Inquisitor or one of his vicars, or by some person selected by the Tribunal of the Inquisition; second, by the Reader in philosophy or some other public reader; third, by a ducal secretary. The petitioner for a certificate was to bring a _testamur_ signed by each of these, declaring that there was nothing in the book contrary to religion, nothing injurious to morality, and nothing hostile to princes, and that it was worthy to see the light. The _testamurs_ should state the number of leaves in the book and must quote the first and last lines. After the book had been printed, but before it was issued to the public, a copy was to be submitted to the _Rifformatori_ in order that they might assure themselves that no additions or alterations had been made after the securing of the _imprimatur_. Each of the three persons who should examine the book was to be paid the sum of one _bezzo_ for each leaf (sheet?). The _bezzo_ was worth the one hundred and sixtieth part of a ducat. All the expenses connected with the three examinations and with the issue of the _imprimatur_ must be borne by the petitioner. Four years later, in 1566, it was ordered that all persons obtaining licences should, before printing their works, register their licences at the office of the _Esecutori contro la Bestemmia_, but for such registration there should be no charge. This is the first attempt that was made to institute a complete registry of the publications of Venice. Unfortunately, the law was persistently evaded, and the registers which have come down to us are very incomplete.