Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-11-09
miscellaneous.
From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal.
Last Days Of COperDieuS,


heave,Is, md all the world slept in the little
town Of Wernica, a cauonry of Prussian
Polaud-all save one man, who watched
-alonc in solitary chamber, at the summit of
a lofty tower. The only furniture of this
aportment consisted of the table, few
books, and ON iron lamp. Its occupant was
san old man of about seventy, bowed down
iby years aud toll, and his brow furrowed by
anxious thought; but in his eye kindled the
fire of genius, aud his noble countcnnnce
was expressive of gentle kindliness, and of
calm, conicmplatiye disposition. Ills white
hair, parted ON his forehead fell III waving
locks upon his shoulders. lie wore the ec-
cesinstical costume of the age and country
IN which no lived the long straight robe,
with fur collar and double sleeves, which
were also lined with fur as far as the ell
bow.
This old man was the great astronomer
Nicholas Copernicus doctor of philosophy,
divinity, and medicine titular canon of
Wernica; and honorary professor of Bolog-
ma, Rome, &c. Copernicus had just com
pleted his great work "On the Revelations
of the Heavenly Bodies" In the midst of
poverty, ridicule, and persecution, without
any other support than that of his own mod
est genius, or any instrument save triangle
of wood, he had unveiled heaven to earth,
and was now approaching the term of his
career just as he had established on n firm
basis those discoveries which were destined
10 change the whole faco of astronomical
science. On that very day the canon of
Werbira had received the last proofsheets
Of his book, which his disciple Rhcticus was
getting printed at Nuremberg; and, before
sending back these final proofs, he wished TO
verify for the last time the result of his dis
coveries Heaven seemed TO have sent him |
,uhf la f,,rh mil
he passed the whole of it in his observatory. |
When the astronomer saw the stars begin
ming to pale in the eastern sky, he took the
triangular instrument which he had con-
structed with his own hands out of three |
pieces of wood, and directed il successfully |
towards the four cardinal points of the hori-
zon. No shadow of a doubt remained, and, |
Oyerpowered by the conviction that he had |
sndeed destroyed an error of five thousand |
years duration, and was about TO reveal 10
the world an iInperisliable truth, Copernicus
kneltin the presence of that glorious volume
whose starry characters he had first learned
to decipher, and folding his nttenuated hands
across his bosom, thanked the Creator for
having opened his eyes TO understand and
read Alright these His glorious works. He
then returned TO the table, aud seizng pen,
he wrote on the title-page of his book
"Behold the work of the greatest aud the
most perfect Artisan: the work of God him
self" Aud now the first excitement having
passed away, he proceeded, with collected
mind, to write the dedication of his book
"To the Most Holy Father, Pope Paul
ILL., dedicate my work to your holiness, in
order that all the world, whether learned or
may seelhat do not seek TO shun
examination and the judgement of my supe-
fiors Your authority, and your love for
In for thaf In,
particular, will serve to shield me against
wicked and malicious slanderers notwith-
standing the proyerb which says that there is
no remedy against the wounds inflicted by
the tongue Of calumny, &c.
NICHOLAS CoPERNIcUs-Of Thorn"
Soon the first dawn of dny caused the
lamp of the astronomer TO burn more dim
"; he lennt his forehead upon the table, and,
overcome by fatigue, sank into a peaceful
sumber. After sixty years of labor he in
truth needed repose. But his present rcpose,
at all events, was not destined to be of long
duration II was abridged by the entrance of
an Hged servant, who, with slow and heavy
step, assembled the tower stairs.
MASTER" said he TO the canon as he gent
ly touched him upon the shoulder, the mes
senger who arrived yesterday from Rheti-
Gus is ready TO set out on his return, and
Is only waiting for your proofsheeis and
letters.
The astronomer rose, made up the pack
et, which he duly sealed, and then sank
back upon his chair, as ii wearied by the
effort
"But that is not ALL" continued the SER
want; there are ten poor sick people in the
house waiting for YOU; and besides, YOU
are wanted at Frauenberg, to look after the
water-machine, which has stopped working;
and also to see the three workmen who have
broken their legs in trying to set il going
ngain."
Poor creatures~ exclaimed Copernicus.
Let my horse be satdlcd directly" And
with resolute effort sinking off the sleep
which weighed down his eyclids, the good
man hastily decended the stairs of the