If they think the book should be examined, it is handed to a consultor, who has to study it carefully and to draw up a detailed report, noting exactly the passages which he finds objectionable, and conscientiously pointing out all redeeming features. His report together with the book is passed on to other consultors, each of whom can thus satisfy himself whether the first “examiner’s” verdict is fair, and has also an opportunity to formulate his own view. One question they have to answer is, whether the condemnation is likely to have a good effect. After comparing the opinions of the consultors, the secretary of the Congregation draws up an official statement of the reasons for and against a prohibition, which statement together with the book is submitted to the Cardinal Prefect, by whose orders it is printed and a copy sent to each cardinal and consultor of the Congregation. Next a preparatory meeting of the consultors is called for a previous discussion. The consultor who examined the book speaks first, then all the others, beginning with the youngest. The secretary carefully records the views of each consultor, together with his reasons. At least ten days must elapse between this meeting and the solemn session of the whole Congregation, in which the question is finally decided by a vote of the cardinals. The decision arrived at is commonly given in one of these four technical phrases: _Damnetur_, “condemned”; _dimittatur_, “dismissed”; _donec corrigatur_, “forbidden until amended”; _res dilata_, “the case is postponed.” The verdict _donec corrigatur_ of course, can only be given when a book admits of correction; when it is thoroughly bad (e. g. written for the sole purpose of eulogizing Freemasonry or maligning Catholic bishops), a _donec corrigatur_ would have no meaning. Finally, the secretary of the Congregation lays the whole matter before the Pope, who, if he sees fit, authorizes the publication of the decree. Nobody will deny that this is a very excellent method of procedure. Under it a book is examined at least three times, and twenty-five or thirty picked scholars participate in the proceedings, each of whom has taken a solemn oath never to allow himself to be influenced by sympathy or antipathy and to have nothing in view but the eternal welfare of souls. If the author is a Catholic, he must be informed before the decree is published. If but a few copies of the book have been sold, and the author promises either to suppress it, or to issue an amended edition, if possible, the decree is not published. But even when this cannot be prevented, e. g. when a whole edition is already in circulation, credit is given to the author in the decree itself for declaring his submission, by adding the words: _auctor laudabiliter se subjecit_, “the author has praiseworthily submitted.”