investigation of a complicated subject, and acuteness of discrimination between the true and the fallacious.
TYCHO BRAHE.
Of eminent astronomers, the next in point of time was Tycho Brahè,
who, though adopting the Ptolemaic notion of the earth being the fixed and
immovable centre of the universe, yet did good service to the progress of
the science by his numerous observations and discoveries. Descended of
an ancient and noble family, originally of Sweden, but settled in Denmark,
Tycho was born December 14, 1546, at Knub Strup, in the bailiwick of
Schönen, the jurisdiction of which was then held by his father. When
seven years old, he commenced the study of the classics, his education, as
well as that of his brothers, being intrusted to private tutors. His father
dying, his uncle sent him, in 1559, to study philosophy and rhetoric at
Copenhagen, where it was intended to train him for some civil employment.
The great eclipse of the sun on the 21st August 1560, happening at the
precise time the astronomers foretold, he began to look upon astronomy as
something divine; and purchasing the tables of Stadius, gained some notion
of the theory of the planets. His thoughts were now wholly engrossed
with astronomy; and though sent by his uncle, in 1562, to study
jurisprudence at Leipsic, mathematics, and not law, were the subject of
his private labors. It is told of him, that, having procured a small celestial
globe, he was wont to wait till his tutor had gone to bed, in order to
examine the constellations and learn their names; and that, when the sky
was clear, he used to spend whole nights in viewing the stars. He abandoned
the amusements and pleasures fitting for his age, and devoted his
pocket-money to the purchase of mathematical and astronomical books,
the perusal of which he persisted in, in spite of the remonstrances and rebukes
of his preceptor. About this time he also began to apply himself to
chemistry, less perhaps for the cause of the science, than with a view to
discover the Philosopher's Stone and the grand Elixir of Life—a digression
from his astronomical career, prompted no doubt by the natural supersition
and enthusiasm of his constitution.
In 1571 he returned to Denmark; and was favored by his mother's brother, Steno Belle, a lover of learning, with a convenient place at the castle of Herritzvad, near Knub Strup, for conducting his observations and building a laboratory: but marrying a peasant girl beneath his rank, such a violent quarrel ensued between him and his relations, that Frederick II, king of Denmark, was obliged to interpose to reconcile them. In 1575, he began his travels through Germany, and proceeded as far as Venice, meeting with the kindliest attention from various philosophers and crowned heads. This attention, conjoined with certain offers made him by the Landgrave of Hesse, and the greater facility of procuring better apparatus, induced him to think of removing his family to Basil; but Frederick of Denmark, being informed of his design, and unwilling to lose such an ornament to his country, promised (to enable him to pursue his studies) to bestow upon him for life the island of Hveen in the Sound, to erect an observatory and laboratory there, and to defray all the expenses necessary for carrying on his designs. Tycho Brahè readily embraced this proposal; and, accordingly, the first stone of the observatory was laid in August
