CHAPTER VII. EVIL REPORT AND GOOD REPORT. Galileo still lingers at Rome.—Guiccardini tries to effect his Recall.—Erroneous idea that he was trying to get the Decree repealed.—Intrigues against him.—Audience of Pope Paul V.—His friendly assurances.—His Character.—Galileo’s return to Florence 91 CHAPTER VIII. THE CONTROVERSY ON COMETS. Studious Seclusion.—Waiting for the Correction of the Work of Copernicus.—Treatise on Tides.—Sends it to Archduke Leopold of Austria.—The Letter which accompanied it.—The three Comets of 1618.—Galileo’s Opinion of Comets.—Grassi’s Lecture on them.—Guiducci’s Treatise on them, inspired by Galileo.—Grassi’s “Astronomical and Philosophical Scales.”—Galileo’s Reply.—Paul V.—His Death.—Death of Cosmo II.—Gregory XV.—“Il Saggiatore” finished.—Riccardi’s “Opinion” on it.—Death of Gregory XV.—Urban VIII. 98 CHAPTER IX. MAFFEO BARBERINI AS URBAN VIII. His Character.—Taste for Letters.—Friendship for Galileo when Cardinal.—Letters to him.—Verses in his honour.—Publication of “Il Saggiatore” with Dedication to the Pope.—Character of the Work.—The Pope’s approval of it.—Inconsistency with the assumed Prohibition 108 CHAPTER X. PAPAL FAVOUR. Galileo goes to Rome to congratulate Urban VIII. on his Accession.—Favourable reception.—Scientific discussions with the Pope.—Urban refuses to Revoke the Decree of 5th March.—Nicolo Riccardi.—The Microscope.—Galileo not the Inventor.—Urban’s favours to Galileo on leaving Rome.—Galileo’s reply to Ingoli.—Sanguine hopes.—Grassi’s hypocrisy.—Spinola’s harangue against the Copernican System.—Lothario Sarsi’s reply to “Il Saggiatore.”—Galileo writes his “Dialogues” 114 PART II. _PUBLICATION OF THE “DIALOGUES ON THE TWO PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS OF THE WORLD,” AND TRIAL AND CONDEMNATION OF GALILEO._ CHAPTER I. THE “DIALOGUES” ON THE TWO SYSTEMS. Origin of the “Dialogues.”—Their popular style.—Significance of the name Simplicius.—Hypothetical treatment of the Copernican System.—Attitude of Rome towards Science.—Thomas Campanella.—Urban VIII.’s duplicity.—Galileo takes his MS. to Rome.—Riccardi’s corrections.—He gives the _Imprimatur_ on certain conditions.—Galileo returns to Florence to complete the Work 127 CHAPTER II. THE IMPRIMATUR FOR THE “DIALOGUES.”