Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-17
THE SURGEONS REVENGE.

Nesale, one Of the most eminent surgeons of the
18th century:
Andre yesale first saw the light in the city Of
Brussels His father an apothecary at
tached to the service of the Princess Margaret,
aunt OF the Emperor Charles Y, and Goyerness
Of the low countries
Up TO the period when Vesale first rendered
himself conspicuous, the anatomy of the human
body was 50 imperfectly understood as scarcely
to merit that the term science should be applied
10 the dim and confused ideas relative to it.
Nesale was the first TO break through the tram
mels with which ignorance and bigOtry had
crippled the march of science; surmounting
with admirable courage and constancy the dis
gust, the terror, and even the peris inseparab BILE
from the description of labor to which he had
devoted himself; he was to be seen whole DAYS
and nights in the cemeteries, surrounded by the
fostering remains of mortality, or lowering about
the glbbets, and disputing with the vulture for
his prey, IN order 10 compose a perfect skele-
ton from the remains of the executed criminals,
left to be devOured by the carrion-bird
1t was during his sOjOurn at Basle, after his
return from Italy, Vesale first behold at tie
house Of Hans HOlbein, the painter, Isabella
Van Steenwik, who was destined to exercise
some influence over his future life He was
scarcely twonty-eight years Of age and already v
had attained the summit Of well-drocted ambi-
ton.
The family of Van Steenwik was a wealthy
ana honorable one, far superior to that Of We
sale IN birth and fortune; but the distinguished
position the latter had acquired for himself en-
titled him to an alliance even more exalted
1he son OF the Princess Msrgaret's apOthecary
would have been rejected by the rich Harlaem
burgher, but, as the Emperor's first physician.
was accepted as the most eligible sun-in-l law
The marriage solemnized, Nesale, accompanied
by his young bride, set off for Seville where
Charles then held his court
though she loved her husband, there was so
much awe mingled with her affections as to throw
an appearance of restraint over her demeanor
towards him, even in the privacy of domestic
life. The very nature of his profession and oc-
euPation was calculated to increase that awe,
and even to create some degree of repugnance
In shrinking mind, which nothing but strong
affection could overcome.
lsabella's nature required skillful drawing
out and tender fostering Vesale unfortunate
ly mistook her temerity for GOODNESS, and re-
sented 1t accordingly This led to estrange-
ment on her part, which he attributed to dis
ike, and jealous distruSt ut last took possession
Of his soul
hesale s-house became the resort Of all that
was noble and gallant in Seville, and he for q
time believed his own scientific conversation to
be the attraction. At first the young wife
showed her usual calm indifference to the ad-
miration that followed wherever she was seen :;
but at lar something in her manner and coun-
tensnce, whenever one particular person ap-
peared, or his name was mentioned, betrayed
that there did exist being who had discovered
the secret of causing the blood to flow more tu-
multUOusly through her veins. That person
was Don Alva de Soils; and as he was young
and handsome the suspicious Of Nesale were
painfully aroused. He took silent note of the
unusual emotions that agitated Isabella when
ever the nObleman was in her presence.
The general conduct of Don Alva was calcu-
lated TO battle suspicion, being marked by in
difference. This would have misled the valiant
husband, and had he no. on one occasion, when
his back was turned toward Don Alva, per-
ceiVed him, in an opposite mirror, fix his kind
ling eyes upon Isabella with an expression not
To be mistaken, while she grew red and pale
by turns and then, as though unable to sur
mount her agitation, rose and left the room.
Shortly afterwards, Eesale received an anony
nous note, saying:
'aLook TO your wife and Don Alva de Soils
and be not deceived by appearance. They only
want u hitting opportunity to dishOnOr you.
Even now he carries about him the gloves she
dropped for him at mass
Yesale shut himself up TO ponder over the
most eaectual means OF avenging himself. His
resolution was soon taken. Having established
schools of anatomy at San Lucar and Cordova
he obtained the EmperOrs permission to visit
them, Quilted Seville for that purpose but re-
turning the same night concealed himself in q
tenement, belonging to himself, at some dis
tance from his abode In AlcazOr, which was de-
voted 10 the double purpose OF q laboratory and
dissecting room. He had taken no person into
his vengeance, and he listened to his own coun-
eel.
At dark on the following evening he issued
forth, mufhed TO tie eyes in a wOman's mantle
hood, and left note At Don Alvar's habitation
containing an embroidered glove Of Isabella's
and these words
'' have obtained the key II Yesale's labora-
tory during his absence. Be at the gate an
hour after midnight, and you will be admitted
On prOnOunciDg the name Of Isabella"
The assignment was promptly kept by Don
Alyar. At an hour past midnight he left his
house, alone; but he never returned to it.
Whittier he had gone. none could say nor could
any trace Of him ever be discovered 1t was
supposed he must have missed his footing, and
fallen into the Guadalquiyer, near which his
abode was situated, and that his body had been
swept by the waves into the ocean.
Such an occurrence ascalculatcd TO produce
great sensation in the place whore il had hap
Pensd; and Nesale, recalled three weeks after
by the illness Of his wife found the disappear
ance Of Don Alyar the theme Of every tongue.
The altered appearance Of Isabella was attribu-
ted, by Vesaie, to grief for the mysterious abb
senee Of Don Alvar, and that conviction took
from him all pity for her suferings.
1t ehAnced 10 be the festival Of Santa Isabella
and ~ do honor 10 her patron saint, as well az
celebrate the return Of her husband, Isabella
put on her wedding dress, and seating herself
by an open easement that overlooked the Alvar
gardens, she watched for his coming; but whilst
her eyes were Yainly fixed upon the path by
which she expected him to appear, hand was
laid on her shoulder, and, turning round, she
beheld Nesale standing by her side
'' 1 have ordered tho supper to be laid in INV
study, said he; and taking her by the hand he
led her away To the room in question, dismissed
the attendant, and closed the door Everything
wore a festive air, yet the repast was cheerless
Perceiving that she had tasted nothing, VesaIe
poured II few drops from the vial of elixir in u
cup Of Malaga wine, and presented it to her.
Drink this said be- ''it il a sovereign cure
tor the complaint you are suffering from
Pledge me in the draught, she returned,
filling goblet from the same flask, and hand
ing II u him, and it viii bring q quicker
healing To Let US dhnk ~ our absent
friend Andre"
L. II