Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-11-22
LAST DAYS OF C0PERNICUS.
A TRUE TALE.

N AeO n
Il was a. clear still night in the month
bf May, l643. The stars shone bright
ly in the heavens, and all the world slept
in The little town of Wcrnica, canonry
of Prussian Poland--all, save one man.
who watched alone in solitary chamber
d1he summit of lofty tower. The
only furniture in this apartment consisted
Of i table, few books, and an iron
!, lamp. lis occupant was an old man Of
y about seventy, bowed down by years and
toll, and his brow furrowed bv anxious
thought; but in his eye kindled the fire Of
genius, and his noble countenance was
expressive of gentle kindness, and of a
calm, contemplative disposition. His
white hair, parted on his forehead, fell
in waving locks upon his shoulders. He
wore the ecclesiastical costume of the
age and country in which he lived: the
long, straight robe, with fur collar and
double sleeves, which were also lined
with FUR as far az the elbow.
This old man was the great astrono-
mer, Nicholas Copfrnicus, doctor OF phi
losophy, divinity, and medicine; titular
canon of Wernica; and honorary profess
sor of Bologna, Rome, &c. Copernicus
had Just completed his great work 'On
The Revolutions of Me Heavenly Bodies
In the iAidst 0. proverty, ridicule and
prosecution, without any other support
than that of his own modest 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 firm ba-
sis those discoveries which were destined
20 20 change the whole face of astronomical
science.
On that very day the canon of Wer-
nica had received the last proof sheets
of his book, which his disciple Rheticus
was getting printed at Nuremberg; and
s-Selorc sending back these final proofs,
he wished 10 verify for the last time the
results of his discoveries. Heaven
seemed to have sent him night express
ly fitted for his purpose, and he passed
the whole Of it in his observatory
When the astronomer saw the stars be-
ginning TO pale in the eastern sky. he
took The triangular instrument which he
had constructed with his own hands out
Of three different pieces of woods and
directed it successfully towards the four
cardinal points of the horizon No
shadow of doub, remained, and, over
powered by the conviction that he had
indeed destroyed au error of five ihous-
and years duration, and was about to
reveal to the world an impershable truth,
Copernicus knelt in the presence OF
that glorious volume whose starry char
acters he had first learned to decipher,
and folding his atlenuatcd hands across
his bosom, thanked his Creator for hav-
ing opened his eyes to understand and
read Alright thesc Ills glorious works
Hethen returned to the table, and seizing
pen, he wrote on the title page of his
book, "Behold the work OF the greatest
and The mostperfeci artisan: the work Of
God himself" And now, the first ex-
element having passed away, he pro-
ceeded, with collected mind, TO write
the dedication of his book.
40 the Most Holy Father, Pope Paul
Ill. dedicate my work to your holi-
ness, in order that all the world, whether
learned or ignorant, snay see that | do
not seek to shun examination and the
Judgment Of superiors. Your authority,
and your love for science in general,
and for mathematics in particular, will
serve 10 shield me against wicked and
malicious slanderers, notwithstanding the
proverb which says that that there is no
remedy against the wounds in llicied by
the tongue of calumny, &c.
a"NICHOLAS COPERNICUS,
"Of Thorn
Soon the first dawn Of day caused
tile lamp of the astronomer TO burn more
drmly; he leant his forehead upon the
table, and, overcome with fatigue sunk
into a peaceful slumber. After sixty
years OF labor, he in truth needed repose.
But his present repose, at all events, was
notsdestined to be Of long duration: il
was abridged by the entrance of an aged
servant, who, with slow and heavy step,
ascended the tower stairs.
Mas,er," said he to the canon, as he
gently touched him on the shoulder, "the
messenger who arrived yesterday from
Rheiicas is ready TO set out on his re-
turn and is only waiting for your proof
slleets and letiers.''
The astronomer arose, and made up
the packet, which he duly sealed. and
then sank back upon his chair, as il
wearied by the effort.
But that is not ALL continued the ser.
vani; 'there are Ten poor sick people in
the house waiting for you; and besides
YOU arc wanted at Fraenburg TO look af:
iar the water machine, which has stopped
working; and also TO see the three work
men who have broken their legs in trying
tostt it going again.
Poor creaiuresv exclaimed Coperni
Gus, LET my horse be saddled directly.
And with resolute effort shaking of
tae sleep which weighed down his eye
lids, the good man hastened down The
stairs of the tower.
The house Of Copernicus was, in out
ward appearance, one of the most un