Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1857-03-31
MisGellanenuS.
THE SURGEONS REVENGE

.O''""' "'"s HeeP'y interesting story was
related by DR.. Gibson, in one of his lectures
before the medical men of the University of
Pennsylvania. The hero of the story is Vesale
one OF the most eminent of Italian surgeons
Andre Vesale first saw light in the citv of
Brussels. His father was an apothecarv. at
tarhed TO the service of the Princess Marparct
aunt of the Emperor Charles ", and goyeTness
of the low countries.
UptI the period when Vesale first render
ed himself = %2nspcuous, the anatomy of the
human body ywasN 50 imperfeclly understood.
as scarcely to merit that The terms of science
should be applied to the dim and confused
ideas relating to it. Vesale was the. first to
break through the trammeIs which ignorance
and blgotry had crippled the march of science;
surmounting with admirable courage and
constancy the disgust, the terror, and the per-
ii, inseparable disposition Of labor, to which
he had devoted himself, lie was to be seen
whole days and nights in the cemeteries, sur
rounded by the fostering remains of mortality,
or hovering about the gibbets and disputinr
with the vulture for its prey, in order to com.
pose perfect skeleton from the remains of ex-
ecuted criminals, left there to be Clevoured by
carrion bird.
1t was during a sojourn at Basle, after his
return from Italy, that Vesale first beheld. at
the house of Hans Holbe;n, the painter, Isa-
bella Van Steenwrak, the daughter of rich
merchant of Harlaem, who was destined to ex-
ercise some Influence over his future life. He
was scarcely twenty eight years of age, and
already he had attained the summit of we'll
directed ambition.
The family of Van Steenwraz was wealthy
and honorable,one, far superior to that of We.
sale In birth and fortune; but the distinguish
ed position the latter had acquired for himself,
ehtitIed MN to aspire TO an alliance even
more exalted. The son of the Princess Mar
garets aPothecary would have been rejected
by the rich Harlaem burgher, but as the En-.
peror's first physician, was accepted bv him
as the most eligible son-in-law The marriage
solemnized, Vesale, accompanied by his younp
bride, set off for Seville, where Charles then
held his Court.
though she loved her husband, there was
so much awe mingled with affection. as to
throw an appearance of restrainst over her
demeanor toward him, even in the privacy of
domestic life. The very nature of his profes-
sion and occupation was calculated TO increase
that awe, and even to create some degree of
rePugnance in shrinking mind, which notI
ing but strong affection could overcome. Isa-
bella's nature required skilIful drawing ont
and tender fostering. VesaIe unfortu1atelv
mlStook her timidity for coldness, and resented
it accordingly this led to estrangemeot ON
her part, which ne attributed to dislike. and
jealous distrust at last took possession Of his
soul.
Vesales house became the resort of all that
was noble and gallant in Seville, and he for
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 last, something in her manner and
countenance, whenever one particular person
appeared, or his name mentioned, BETRAYED
ttllat there did exist being who had discover
ed the secret for causing the blood to flow
more lunu!tuous{E through her veins. That
person was Don Alya<te Soils and as he was
young, handsome, gar, and the most incon-
slant gallant in Seyillea the suspicious of We
sale were painfully aroAsed. he took silent
notes of the unusual emotions that acitated
Isabella whenever the notieman was in her
presence.
The general conduct of Don Alvar was cal
'culated to bat1e suspicion, being marked bv
indifference: This wOuE hare su1ised the vio-
liant husband, had he mot ON one occasion
when his back was turned toward Don Alyar'
perceived him, in an 5pposite mirror, f,x Iis
kIndIing eyes upon Isabella with an expression
rot to mistaken, while sRs grew red and naIa
by tsFns AID then, as though unable to sur
mount her agitation, rose and left the room
Shortly afterward VesaIe received an anony-
nous note saying:
Look to your wife and Don AIvar de Soils.
and be not deceived by appearance. Thew
only want fitting opportunity TO iishouor
you. Even now he carries about him. the
gloves she dropped for him at mass"
Ve<ale shut himself upto ponder over the
most efectnal ruesns Of avepging bimself-