Chapter II: Failing Health and Loss of Sight

Galileo’s Labours at Arcetri.—Completion of the “Dialoghi delle
nuove Scienze.”—Sends it to the Elzevirs at Leyden.—Method
of taking Longitudes at Sea.—Declined by Spain and offered
to Holland.—Discovery of the Libration and Titubation of the
Moon.—Visit from Milton.—Becomes blind.—Letter to Diodati.—On a
hint from Castelli, petitions for his Liberty.—The Inquisitor
to visit him and report to Rome.—Permitted to live at Florence
under restrictions.—The States-General appoint a Delegate to
see him on the Longitude question.—The Inquisitor sends word
of it to Rome.—Galileo not to receive a Heretic.—Presents
from the States-General refused from fear of Rome.—Letter to
Diodati.—Galileo supposed to be near his end.—Request that
Castelli might come to him.—Permitted under restrictions.—The
new “Dialoghi” appear at Leyden, 1638.—They founded Mechanical
Physics.—Attract much notice.—Improvement of health.—In 1639
goes to Arcetri again, probably not voluntarily 284