Page:The New Monthly Magazine - Volume 094.djvu/466

456 world of knowledge; when the sun of truth was struggling to break forth from the heavy clouds of superstition, error, and barbarism; and even the brightest intellects were obscured by the darkness that prevailed around.

Whole nights were passed by the youthful astronomer in the open air, observing the stars; and on his return to Copenhagen, he proposed continuing the study of his favourite sciences. But these were, at that period, so little known and valued in Denmark, that his family thought he demeaned himself by his occupations; and he had, in consequence, so many disagreeables to encounter, that he determined on going back to Germany. At Rostock, he met by chance a Danish nobleman, named Manderup Parsbierg, at a wedding-feast; unluckily they quarrelled; and, having met again shortly after at a Christmas entertainment, the quarrel was renewed. Parsbierg drew his sword, and Tycho Brahe followed his example; but he was probably less skilled in the use of that weapon than in the use of his mathematical instruments, for he had the worst of the fray, and was severely wounded in the face, a part of his nose having been chopped off by a sword-cut from his adversary. After that, he travelled through Germany and Italy, and wherever he went his acquirements in science were much admired.

In 1570 he returned to Denmark, and, about three years afterwards, married a girl in a station of life much beneath his own. This gave great umbrage to his aristocratic family, and the reigning monarch, Frederick II., was obliged to interfere on his behalf. The same royal benefactor settled a pension on the astronomer, and presented him with the island of Hveen, in the Sound, where an observatory was built for him. But he was not destined to end his days in this peaceful retreat. Frederick II. died in 1588; and his son, Christian IV., who ascended the throne as a mere child, was influenced against Tycho by the enemies whom he had at court; for when were ever superior genius and talent without enemies and detractors?

Among the illustrious individuals who visited Tycho Brahe in his island-home, was James VI. of Scotland and I. of England, when he went to Denmark on the occasion of his betrothal to the Princess Anne, second daughter of Frederick II. King James stayed eight days with the great astronomer or astrologer, and on leaving him, asked what gifts he would receive. Tycho would accept of nothing but two English dogs, and some Latin lines. The king thereupon wrote with his own hands:

The lines bestowed by the learned monarch on the sage of Hveen did no harm; not so the dogs—for they proved an unlucky gift. The young King Christian took it into his head to follow his Scottish brother-in-law’s example, and pay a visit to his distinguished subject at Hveen. He was attended by a numerous suite, among whom was the Hofmester, or lord-steward of the palace, Christopher Walkendorf, who was not at all well disposed towards the renowned astronomer. One morning, when this Walkendorf was about to enter Tycho Brahe’s apartment, he found the English dogs lying near the door; they barked on his approach, and he