Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-12-01
THE SURGEONS REVENGE.

The following deeply interesting story was
related 10y DR.. Gibson, in one of his lectures
before the medical class of the University OF
Pennsylvania. The hero of the story is Vesale,
one of the most eminent of Italian surgeons.
Andrew Fcsale first saw light in the city
of Brussels. His father was ar apothecary,
attached to the service Of the Princess Mar
garet. aunt of Charles V, and goyerness of
tho low countries.
Up to the period when Vcssc fist rendered
himself conspicuous, the anatomy OF the hu-
man body Imperfectly understood as
scarcely to merit that the terms of science
should be applied to the dim and confused
ideas relating to it. Fesale was the first to
break through the trammes with which ig
norance and bigotry had crippled the march of
science; surmounting with admirable courage
and constancy the disgust, the terror and the
peril inscperablc from this description of the
Labor in which he had devoted him SELF he was
20 be seen whole days and nights in the ccme-
teries, surrounded by the fostering remains of
mortality, or lowering about the gibbets, and
disputing with the vulture for its prey, in
der to compose perfect skeleton from the
mans Of executed criminals, left there by the
carrion bird.
1t was during sojourn at Base, after his
return from Italy, that Vesale first beheld at
the house of Hans Holben, the painter, lsa-
bella Won Stauwrak, the daughter of mcr
chant at Haraem, who destined to eXer-
else 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 StanwarlI, was a wealthy
and honorable one, far superior to that OF
Nesale in birth and fortune but the distin-
guishcd position the latter had acquired for
himself, entitled him to aspire to an alliance
even more exalted. The son of the Princess
-hargaret's apOthecary would have been reject
ed by the rich Harlaem burghcr, but the
emperor's first physician, WAS accepted by
him as the most eligible sOn-in-law. The mar
riage solemnized, Vesalc, 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 affection TO
throw appearance of restraint over her
demeanor towards him, even in the privacy of
domestic lite. The very nature of his pro-
fession and occupation was calculated to in-
crease that awe, and even to create some de-
gree of repugnance in a shrinking mind which
nothing but strong affection could overcome.
Isabella's nature required s5illful drawing out
and tender fostering. Vesale, unfortunately,
Inistook her timidity for GOODNESS, and resent
ed it accordingly; this led to estrangement
on her part, which he attributed TO dislike;
jealous distrust at last took possession of his
soul.
Yesale's house became the resort of all
that was noble and gallant in Seville, and he
for time believed his own scientific conver-
sation to be the attraction. At first the young
wife sho we'd her usual cslm indifference to the
admiration that followed wherever she was
, seen but, ut last something in her manner
and countenance, whenever particular
person appeared, or his name was mentioned,
betrayed that there did exist being who had
discovered the secret for causing the blood TO
aow more tumultuouSly through her veins
That person was Don Alya de Soils; and as he
was young, handsome, gay, and the most ln-
constant gallant in Seville, the suspicious of
Yesale were painfully aroused. He took si-
lent note of the unusual emotions that agita-
ted Isabella whenever the nObleman was in
her presence.
The general conduct of Don Alya was cal
cula.ed to battle suspicion, being marked by
indifference. This would have misled the
yigiIant husband had he not on one occasion
when his back was turned toward Don Alya,
perceived him in an opposite mirror, hx his
kindling eyes upon Isabella with an express
sion not to be mistaken, while she grew red
and pale by turns. and then, as though unable
to surmount her agitation, rose and left the
room. Shortly afterwards fesale received ah
anonymous note, saying
"Look to your wife and Don Alva de Solls.
and be not deceived by appearances. Ihey
only want fitting opportunity to dishonor
you. Even now he carries about him the
gloves she dropped for him at mass"
Vesale shut himself up to ponder over the
most efectual means of avenging himself
His resolution was soon taken. Having estab-
lished schools of anatomy at San Lucar and
CordoVa, he obtained the Emperor's permis-
sion to visit them, quilted Seville ostensibly
for that purpose, but returning the same night
concealed himself in a tenement belonging to
him at some distance from his abode in Alca-
zar, which wac devoted TO the double purpose