Io Galileo Galilei sopradetto ho abiurato, giurato, e promesso, e mi sono obligato come sopra, et in fede del vero di propria mia mano hò sottoscritto la presente Cedola di mia abiuratione, e recitata di parola in parola in Roma nel Convento della Minerva questo di 22 Giugno 1633. Io Galileo Galilei hò abiurato come di sopra di mano propria. FOOTNOTES [1] “Die Acten des Gallileischen Processes, nach der Vaticanischen Handschrift, von Karl von Gebler.” Cotta, Stuttgard, 1877. [2] The above letter is adapted from a draft of one addressed to the Italian Translator, the letter to myself not having, unfortunately, been sent before the Author’s death, nor found among his papers afterwards. He had written but a few weeks before that he would send it shortly, and as it would probably have been almost exactly similar to the above, I have availed myself of it, the Author’s father having sent me a copy with the necessary alterations and authorised its use.—TR. [3] See Appendix IV. [4] Riccioli, vol. i. part ii. pp. 496-500. [5] In the references the name only of the author is given. Albèri’s “Opere” is designated Op. Those marked * are new for the English translation. [6] This is the writing referred to when Gherardi is quoted. [7] Compare Nelli, vol. i. pp. 24, 25, and Opere xv. p. 384. The strange mistake, which is without any foundation, that Galileo was an illegitimate child, was set afloat soon after his death by Johann Victor Rossi (Janus Nicius Erythræus) in his “Pinacotheca Illustrium Virorum,” Cologne, Amsterdam, 1643-1648, and afterwards carelessly and sometimes maliciously repeated. Salviati has published the marriage certificate of 5th July, 1563, of Vincenzio di Michel Angelo di Giovanni Galilei and Giulia degli Ammanati Pescia. [8] Many of these essays, which have never been printed, are among the valuable unpublished MSS. in the National Library at Florence. [9] Galileo had a younger brother, Michel Angelo, and three sisters, Virginia, Elenor, and Livia. The former married a certain Benedetto Landucci, the latter Taddeo Galetti. Galileo was very kind to his brother and sisters all his life, assisted them in many ways, and even made great sacrifices for their sakes. [10] Nelli, vol. i. pp. 26, 27. [11] Op. xv. (Viviani), p. 330; and Op. vi. p. 18. [12] Op. xv. (Viviani), p. 328. [13] The correctness of this date is indisputable, as according to Nelli, vol. i. p. 29, it was found in the university registers. It is a pity that Albèri, editor of the “Opere complete di Galileo Galilei,” Florence, 1842-1856, relied for the date on Viviani, who is often wrong. [14] Op. xv. (Viviani), p. 331; also Jagemann, p. 5. [15] Op. xv. (Viviani), p. 332; also Nelli, vol. ii. pp. 722, 723. [16] Op. xv. (Viviani), p. 334. [17] Nelli, vol. i. pp. 32, 33.