Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-12-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Last Days OF Copernicus.

TRUE HISTORY.
1t was a sill, clear night in the month
Of May, 1543; the stars shone brightly In
the heavens, and all the world slept in the
little town of Wernica a canonry Of Prus-
sian Poland-all save one man, who watch
ed alone in SOLITARY chamber at the sum
nit OF lofty tower The only furniture
of this apartment consisted Of table, a
few books, and an iron lamp. Its occu-
pant 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 couEtenance was expressive Of
| gentle kindness and Of calm, centempla-
tive disposition His white hair, parted
on lis forehead. fell in waving locks over
his shoulders. He wore the ecclesiastical
costume of the age and country in which
lie Gved-the long, straight robe, with a
fur collar and double sleeves, which were
also lined W ith fur as far as the elbow.
This old man was the great astronomer,
Nicholas Copernicus, doctor PHILOSOPHY.
divinity, and medicine, ttular canon Of
Wernica, and honorary professor of Bolog-
ma, Rome, &c. Copernicus had Just com
pleted his work "On the Revolutions ofthe
Heavenly Bodies" In the midst Of pov-
erty, ridicule, and persecution, without any
other support than that of his own modest
genius, or any instrument save triangle lie of
wood, he had unveiled heaven to earth,
and was now approaching the term Of his
career Just as he had established on firm
basis those discoveries which were deslin-
ed to change the whole face Of astronomi-
cal sciences.
On that very day the canon of Weruca
had received the last proof sheets of his
book, which his disciple Rheticus was get
ting printed at Nuremberg; and before
sending 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 pur-
pose, and he passed the whole of it in his
observatory. When the astronomer saw
the stars beginning 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
wood, and directed it successfully towards
the four cardinal points ofthe horizon. No
shadow of doubt remained; and, over
powered by the conviction that he had ia
deed destroyed an error Of FIVE thousand
years duration, and was about to reveal
To the world an imperishable truth, Copper
nicus knet in the presence Of that glorious
volume whose starry characters he had
first learned to decipher, aud folciug bis at
tenuatcd hands across his bosom, thanked
his Creator for having opened his eyes to
understand and read Alright these, His glo-
rious works. He then returned To tue ta-
BILE, and seizing pen he wrote on the Ii
tie page Of his book" Behold the work of
the greatest and the most perfect Artisan:
the work of God himself" Aud now, the
first excitement having passed away, he
proceeded with collected mind 10 write
the dedication or his book:
ITO the most Holy Father. Pope Paul
III: dedicate my work to your Holiness,
in order that all the world. whether learn
ed or ignorant, may see that DO not seek
to shun examination and the jud gment Of
my superiors. Your authority and your
love for science in general. and for mathe-
mates in particular, will serve TO shield
me against wicked and malicious ISLANDERS,
Notwithstanding the provcrb, 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 day caused the
lamp Of the astronomer to burn more dimly:
he leant his forehead upon the table, aud,
overcome with fatigue. sank into a peace
ful slumber. After sixty years OF labor,
he, in truth, needed repose. But his pre-
sent repose, at all events, was not destined
to be Of long duration; it was abridged by
the entrance of an aged servant. who, with
slow and heavy step, assembled the tower
stars.
"Master," said he to the canon, as he
gently touched him upon the shoulder,
"the messenger who arrived yesterday
from Rheticus is ready to set out on his
return, and IS waiting for your proof-shects
and letters"
The astronomer rose, made upihe pack
ct, which he duly sealed, and then sank
back upon his chair, as if wearied by the
effort.
"But that is not ALL" continued, the ser
want: "there are ten poor, sick people in
the house waiting or you; and, besides.
you are wanted at Frauenberg TO look af-
| ter the water machine, which has stopped
| working, and also to see the three work
| men who broke their legs in trying to set
it going again"
Poor creatures!" exclaimed Coperni-
Gus; 'let my horse be saddled directly. -
And with rcsolute effort shaking off the
sleep which weighed down bis eyelids, the
good man hastily descended TIE stairs Of
the tower.
The house Of Copernicus was in out
ward appearance, one Of the most unpre-
tending in Wemica. 1t was composed Of
laboratory, in which he prepared medi-
cine for the poor; little studio, in which
this man Of genius, skilled in arta as well as
science. painted his own likeness or those
of his friends, or traced his recollections Of
'Tycho Brahe has preserved to us drawing Of
! this instrument, which was the means Of accom-
Plishing such acknowledgements and which was
sent to him after the death Of Copernicus. by ohm
Hsnorrias. Bishop Of werniea- Il is difficult for