Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-10-01
TIE Surgeons Revenge.


story was related by DR.. Gibson il
one Of his lectures before the medi
cal clnss of the University Of Penn
sylvania. The hero of the instruc
tive story is Vesale, one Of the mos
eminent surgeons of the 10th centu
~:
Andre Vesale first saw the ligh
in the city of Brussels. His IA
ther was an apothecary attached
to the service of the Princess Mar
garet, aunt of Emperor Charles V.
and Governess Of the low counties.
Up TO the period when Vesale frs
rendered himself conspicuous, tht
anatomy of the human body was Sc
inperfectly understood as scarcely
to merit that the term science should
be applied to the dim and confused
idea relative to it. Vesale was the
first TO break through the trHmmels
with which ignorance and blgosry
had crippled the march of science;
surmountiu. with admirable courage
and constancy the disgust, the ter.
ror, and even the perils inseparable Of
the labor to which he had devoted
himself, he was TO be seen whole days
and nights in the cemeteries, sur.
rounded by the fostering remains ol
mortality, or lowering about the glib
let's and dis putting with the vulture
for bis prey, in order to compose a
perfect skeleton from the remains ol
the executed criminals. left to be de-
voured by theEarrion-bird.
1t was during his sojourn at Ba-
sic, after bis return from Italy, Vesale
first beheld at the house of Hans
Holbein. the painter, Isabella Van
Steenwik, who was destined TO ex.
ercise some influence over his future
life. He was scarcely taenty-eight
years of age, and already attained
the summit Of well-directed ambi-
tion.
Thefamily of Van Steenwik was
wealthy and honorable one, far su-
perior to that of Vesale in birth and
fortune; but the distinguished posi-
ton the latter had acquired for him
self entitled him to an alliance even
more exalted. The son ofthe Prin-
cess Margaret's apothecary would
have been rejected by the rich har-
laem burgher, but as the Enperor's
first physician, was accepted as the
most eligible son-in-law. The mar
riage solemnized. Vesale, accompani-
ed by his young bride, set off for
Seville, where Charles held his
court.
Though she loved her husband,
there was soem6ch awe mingled
with her affections as to throw an ap-
pearance of restraint over her de-
meanor towards him, even in the
privacy of domestic life. The very
nature Of his profession and occu-
patton was calculated to increase
that awe, and even to create some
degree of repugnance in shrinking
mind, which nothing but strong at
lection could overcome.
IsabelIa's nature required skillful
drawing out and tender fostering
Vesale unfortunately mistook heI
temerity for coolnsss, and resented
it accordingly. This led to estrange
ment, on ber part, which be attri.
buted to dislike, and jealous distrus'
at last took possession of his soul.
Vesale's house became the resor,
Of all that was noble and gallant IL
Seville, and he for a time believed
his own scientific conversation to b'
the attraction. At FIRST the young
wife showed her usual calm indiffer
,ence to-the admiration that follow
ed wherever she Was seen; but a
last something in her manner ant
countenance, whenever one pecullal
person appeared, or his name wa
mentioned, betrayed that there dit
exist abeing who had discovered tn
secret Of causing the blood to fov
more tumultuously through her veins
That person was Don Alva dc Sofia
and as he was young and handsome
the suspicious ofVesale were pain
fully aroused. He took silent not
of the usual emotions that agitate'
Isabella whenever the nobleman wa
10 her presence.
The general conduct Of Don Alv
was calculated to battle suspicion. be
ling marked by indifference. Thi
would have missed the valiant hui