Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-10-23
The last Days of Copcrnicus.


! May, 1914; the stars shone brightly in the
heavens, and all the world slept in the little
town of Warnca, canonry of Prussian Po-
! land-all save one man, who watched alone
in solitary chamber at the summit of lof-
ty tower. The only furniture of this apart
ment consisted of table, few books, and
an iron lamp. Its occupant was an old man
of about seventy, bowed down by years and
toll and his brow furrowed by anxious
thoughts; but his eye kindled with the fire
of genius, and his noble countenance was ex-
pressive of gentle kindness, and of a calm,
contemplative disposition. His white hair,
parted on his forehead, fell in waving locks
over his shoulders. He wore the ecclesiasti-
cal 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 as the elbow.
This old man was the great astronomer,
Nicholas Copernicus, doctor of philosophy, di-
vinity, and medicine, titular canon of Werni-
ca, and honorary professor of Bologna, Rome,
&c. Copernicus had just completed his work
sOn the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies"
In the midst of poverty, ridicule, and perse-
cution, without any other support than that
of his own modest genius, or any instrument
save a triangle of wood, he had unveiled
heaven to earth, and was now approaching
the term of his career just as he had estab-
lshed on firm basis those discoveries which
were destined to change the whole face of as
Economical sciences.
On that very day the canon of Wernica
had received the last proof sheets of his book
which his disciple Rheticus was getting
printed at Nuremberg and, befero send
ing back these final proofs, he wished to
verify for the last time the results of his
discoveries. Heaven seemed to have sent
him night expressly fitted for the purpose,
and he passed the whole Of it in his observa-
tory. When the astronomer saw the stars
beginning to pale in the eastern sky, he took
the triangular instrument, which he had con-
structed with bis own hands out of three diff
ferent pieces \ of wood, and directed it success
sively towards the four cardinal points of the
horizon No shadow of doubt remained /;
and, overpowered by the conviction that he
had indeed destroyed an error of FIVE thous-
and years duration, and was about to reveal
to the world an imperishable truth, Coperni-
Gus knet in the presence of that glorious vol
!; ume whose starry characters he had first learn
ed to decipher, and folding his attenuated hand
across his bosom, thanked his Creator for hav-
ing opened his eyes to understand and read a.
right these, His glorious works. He then re-
turned to the table, and seizing pen he wrote
on the title page ofhis book-"..Behold the work
of the greatest and the most perfect Artisan
the work of God himself" And now, the first
excitement having passed away, he proceeded
with a collected mind to write the dedication
of his book:
/" To the Most Holy Father. Pope Pau
III: I dedicate my work to your Holiness, il
order that all the world, whether learned Of
ignorant, may see that do not seek to shur
examination and the judgment of my superl
ors. Your authority, and your love for sci
ence in general, and for mathematics in par
ticular, will serve to shield me against wick
ed and malicious SANDERS, notwithstanding
the proverb which says that there is no rem
edy against the wounds inflicted by the tongue
of calumny, &c. Nicholas COpernicus o
Thorn"
Soon the first dawn Of day caused the laml
of the astronomer to burn more dimlY; he
leant his forehead upon the table, and, over
come with fatigue, sank into a peaceful slum
Der. After sixty years of labor, he, in truth
needed repose Bot his present repose, at al
events, was not destined 20 be of long dura
ton; it was abridged by the entrance OF al
aged servant, who with slow and heavy step
ascended the tower stairs
Master" said he to the cannon, as ht
; gently touched him upon the shoulder, " thu
messenger who arrived yesterday from Rhe
Gcus is ready to set out on his return, and i
waiting for your proof sheets and letters"
The astronomer rose, made up the packet
which he duly sealed, and then sank bacl
upon bis char, as if wearied by the effort.
But that is not all, continued the servant
there are ten poor sick people in the hous'
waiting for you; and, besides, you are wante'
at Frauenberg to look after the water-machine
which has stopped working, and also to set
the three workmen, who broke their legs ii
trying to set it going again
"Poor creatures - exclaimed Copernicus
"let my horse be ,saddled directly" AM
#Tycho Brahe has preserved to US a draw
ing of this instrument, which was the mean
of accomplishing such wonderful discoveries
aud which WAS sent to him after the death 9