Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-08-01
WAR0g nv.
The Surgeons Revenge.

The Surgeons Revenge.
The following deeply interesting story
was related by Dr. Gibson in one of his lee
lures before the medical class of the Uni
versity of Pennsylvania. The hero of the
instructive story is Yesale, one of the most
eminent surgeons of the 18th century:
Andre Vesalc first saw the light in the
city of Brussels. His father was an apoth-
ecary attached to the service of the Princess
Margaret, aunt of the Emperor Charles "
and Governcss of the low countries.
Up to the period when Yesolo first rem
dered himself conspicuous, the anatomy of
the human body was so impcrfectly under
stood as scarcely to merit that the term sci
enco should be applied to the dim and con-
fused ideas relative to it, Vesale was the
irgt to break through the trammels 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 perils insepa
rable 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, OF lowering about the gibbets,
and disputing with the vulture for his prey,
In order to compose perfect skeleton from
the remains of the executed criminals, left
to be devourcd by the carrion-bird.
1t was during his sojourn at Basle, after
his return from Italy, Vcsale first bcheld at
the house of Hans Holbein, the painter,
Isabella Van Steenwik, who was destined
to exercise some influence over his future
life. He was scarcely twcnty-cight years
of age, and already had attained the sum
NIT Of well-directed ambition.
The family of Van Stccnwk was wealthy
and honorable one, far superior to that OF
Vesale in birth and fortune; but the dis
tnguished position the latter had acquired
for himself, entitled him to an alliance even
more exalted. The son of the Princess
Margaret's apothecary would have been re.
jeoted by the rich Harlacm burgher, but
as the Emperor's first physician, was ac-
ecpted as the most eligible son-n-law The
marriage solemnized, Vcsale, accompanied
by his young bride, set off for Seville,
whore Charles then held his court
Though she loved her husband, there
was SO much awe mingled with her affcc
tions as to throw an appearance of restrain
over her demeanor towards him, even il
the privacy of domestic life. The very ma
ture of his profession and occupation was
calculated 10 increase that awe, and even L
create some degree of repugnance in {
shrinking mind, which nothing but strong
affection could overcome.
Isabellas nature required skillful draw
ing out and tender fostering. Vosale un
fortunately mistook her temerity for cool
ness, and resented it accordingly Thi
led to estrangement on her part, which h,
attributed to dislike, and jealous distrust a
last took possession of his soul
Vesale's house became the resort of al
that was noble and gallant in Seville, ant
he for time believed his own scientifi
conversation to be the attraction At frs
the young wife showed her usual calm in
difference to the admiration that FOLLOWED
wherever she was seen; but at last some
thing in her manner and countenance, whel
ever one particular person appeared, or hi
name was mentioned, betrayed that ther
did exist a being who had discovered th
secret of causing the blood to flow moro ut
multuously through her veins. That pei
young and handsome the suspicious of We
sale were painfully aroused He took 81
lent note Of the unusual emotions that ae
itated Isabella whenever the nobleman wa
In her presence.
The general conduct of Don Alva wa
calculated to battle suspicion, being marke
by Indifference. This would have mislc
the valiant husband, and had he not on on
occasion, when his back was turned towar
Don Alva, perceived him, Ia an opposit
mirror, fix his kindling eyes upon IsabclI
with an expression not 10 be uiotaker
while she grew red and pale by turns, an
then, as though unable to surmount he
agitation, rose and left the room. ShortI
afterwards, Vesale received an anonymou
note, saying:
Look to your wife and Don Alva d
Soils, and bc not deceived by appearance
They only want a fitting opportunity tq,die
honor you. Even now he carries the
she dropped for him at mass"
Vesale shut himself up to ponder owe
the most effectual means of ayenging him