The Index of Clement is distinctive in giving a much larger measure of attention to theological works by Catholic writers than to the writings of heretics. In this respect, it serves to mark a change of policy on the part of the Church, which was beginning to recognise the impracticability of controlling the character of the whole literary output of the world, and to devote its supervision to the task of keeping free from error books by Catholic writers which would be likely to influence the faith of believers. The Clementine Index secured for itself a wider distribution than had been given to any preceding Index excepting that of Trent. Within two years after its promulgation, editions were printed at Bologna, Perugia, Florence, Milan, Verona, Venice, and Turin, and also at Prague, Lisbon, Liège, Cologne, Paris, and Besançon. The publishers and booksellers of Venice found occasion for complaint concerning a number of the entries and regulations in this Index, and the Venetian Senate submitted on their behalf a strong reclamation to the Pope. After a series of negotiations, the Pope gave instructions for concession on the more important points at issue. In 1596, was published an _Interpretation of the Rules of the Index of Clement VIII, in so far as these apply in the territory of ... Venice_. The more important modifications are the following: (1) The prohibited books and those for which expurgation has been ordered can still be sold to those who have secured the necessary permission from bishop or inquisitor. (2) When new editions are prepared of volumes that have been prohibited _donec corrigatur_, it is not required to send the copies to Rome. These can be passed upon with the necessary corrections under the instructions of the local bishop and inquisitor. (3) The printers are not required to submit for examination the text in the form of printed sheets. The work of examination and of correction can be completed with the text of the MSS. as prepared for the typesetters. (4) On the back of the title are to be printed, in connection with the record of the permit or privilege, the names of the examiners who have approved the text. (5) The booksellers are required to submit, on demand, to the inquisitor a catalogue of the books contained in their stock in order that the bookshops may be “cleansed” from old copies of prohibited and pernicious works. (6) The authority given to local bishops and inquisitors to prohibit books in addition to those that have been placed on the Index must be understood to apply exclusively to works opposing the true faith, and to volumes which have been brought into print under false or forged permits. (7) The publishers and printers in the territory of Venice are freed from the general requirement of an annual oath. (8) The heirs to an estate are under requirement, within three months of the turning over of an inheritance, to submit to the inquisitor a list of all the books received; and these books are not to