1564. (15th of February.) His Birth 1
His Ancestors 2
His early Years 3
1581. A Scholar of Arts at the University of Pisa 3
Studies Medicine under Andrew Cæsalpinus 3
His Work on the Hydrostatical Balance 4
Guido Ubaldi engages him to investigate the Centre of Gravity
of solid Bodies 4
Appointed Lecturer of Mathematics at the University of Pisa 4
1600. Giordano Bruno burnt 4
Galileo attacks by Argument and Experiment the Aristotelian
Laws of Gravity 5
Opposition of the Aristotelians to his Discoveries 6
A Method of clearing out the Harbour of Leghorn proposed
by Don Giovanni de' Medici 6
Galileo opposes this Opinion; is persecuted in consequence 6
1592. He obtains the Professorship of Mathematics at the University
of Padua 6
1593. Account of his Conversion to the Copernican System 7
He meets with an Accident 9
He completes his first Engagement at Padua 9
1598. Is re-elected other six Years 9
Accusation brought against him with respect to Marina Gamba 10
1604. A new Star excites the Attention of Galileo 10
1606. Again re-elected to the Professorship of Padua 10
His increasing Popularity 10
His Examination of the Properties of the Loadstone 10
1500. Doctor Gilbert's Work, the "De Magnete," published 11
1603. His Death 11
Cosmo proposes to Galileo to return to Pisa 11
The Arrangements suggested by Galileo, and the Manner of
urging them 12
Dutch Telescopes 13
Galileo constructs his first Telescope 13
Interest which the Telescope excited in Venice 14
The Art of cleaning and polishing Lenses very imperfect 15
Results of the Observations of Galileo on the Moon 16
His Examination of the fixed Stars 16
1610. The Satellites of Jupiter discovered by Galileo 18
Galileo's Work, the "Sidereal Messenger," published 18
Reception which these Discoveries met with from Kepler 19
Horky; his Work against the Discoveries of Galileo 20
Simon Mayer 21
Discovery of new Satellites 21
First Enigma of Galileo published 23
His Observations on Saturn and Venus 23
1611. His Reception at Rome; he erects his Telescope in the Quirinal
Garden 24
(March.) He discovers the Solar Spots 24
1610. Thomas Harriot discovers the Solar Spots (in December) 25
Professor Scheiner; his Letters on the Subject of the Solar
Spots 26
These Letters answered by Galileo 26
Faculæ or Luculi discovered on the Sun's Disc, by Galileo 26
His Observations on Saturn 27
The Subject of floating Bridges discussed 28
Galileo "On Floating Bodies" 28
1613. His Letter to the Abbé Castelli 31
Caccini attacks Galileo from the Pulpit 31
Luigi Maraffi apologises to Galileo for this Conduct 31
Galileo, his Letter to the Grand Duchess Christian 31
1615. (26th of February.) Galileo appears before the Inquisition 31
He renounces his Opinions 33
The Copernican System condemned by the Inquisition 34
1616. Interview of Galileo with Pope Paul V. 34
Letter of Querenghi to the Cardinal D'Este 34
Negotiations of Galileo with Spain 35
1618. Three Comets appear 36
1619. Discourse on Comets by Marco Guiducci 36
"The Astronomical and Philosophical Balance" 37
1623. Galileo, his Work "Il Saggiatore" 37
Accession of Cardinal Barberini to the papal Throne 37
1624. Galileo, his Visit to Pope Urban VIII. 38
His Reception 38
1629. Death of Cosmo 39
Pecuniary Difficulties of Galileo 39
1630. Work of Galileo demonstrating the Copernican System 41
1632. "The System of the World of Galileo Galilei" 42
Influence of this Work on the public Mind 43
Galileo summoned to appear before the Inquisition 44
1633. (14th of February.) He arrives at Rome 45
Is visited by Cardinal Barberini; his Kindness to him 46
Trial of Galileo 47
(22d of June.) His Sentence 48
His Abjuration 49
What Excuse is there for his Humiliation and Abjuration? 50
Imprisonment of Galileo 52
He leaves Rome 52
He returns to Arcetri 52
Death of his Daughter 53
His Indisposition and Melancholy 53
1638. He obtains Permission of the Pope to return to Florence 53
Continued Kindness of the Grand Duke of Tuscany for him 54
His "Dialogues on Local Motion" 54
Discovery of the Moon's Libration 55
1637. Blindness of Galileo 56
He is visited by a Number of Strangers 58
1642. (8th of January.) His Death 58
His Epitaph and Monument 95
His House 60
His domestic Character 60
His Person 60
His scientific Character 61