Buttoreturn。TothisgoodPatron——whowastheAmbassadoratVenice——thenewly—marriedRondeletdeterminedtoapplyforemployment;andtoVenicehewouldhavegone，leavinghisbridebehind，hadhenotbeenstayedbyoneofthoseangelswhosometimeswalktheearthinwomen’sshape。JeanneSandrehadaneldersister，Catharine，whohadbroughtherup。Shewasmarriedtoawealthyman，butshehadnochildrenofherown。ForfouryearssheandhergoodhusbandhadlettheRondeletslodgewiththem，andnowshewasawidow，andtopartwiththemwasmorethanshecouldbear。ShecarriedRondeletofffromthestudentswhowereseeinghimsafeoutofthecity，broughthimback，settledonhimthesamedayhalfherfortune，andsoonaftersettledonhimthewhole，onthesoleconditionthatsheshouldlivewithhimandhersister。Foryearsafterwardsshewatchedovertheprettyyoungwifeandhertwogirlsandthreeboys——thethreeboys，alas！alldiedyoung——andoverRondelethimself，who，immersedinbooksandexperiments，wasutterlycarelessaboutmoney;andwastothemallamother——
　　advising，guiding，managing，andregardedbyRondeletwithgenuinegratitudeashisguardianangel。
　　Honourandgoodfortune，inaworldlysense，nowpouredinuponthedruggist’sson。Pellicier，hisownbishop，stoodgodfathertohisfirst—borndaughter。Montluc，BishopofValence，andthatwiseandlearnedstatesman，theCardinalofTournon，stoodgodfathersafewyearslatertohistwinboys;andwhatwasofstillmoresolidworthtohim，CardinalTournontookhimtoAntwerp，Bordeaux，Bayonne，andmorethanoncetoRome;andintheseItalianjourneysofhishecollectedmanyfactsforthegreatworkofhislife，that"HistoryofFishes"whichhededicated，naturallyenough，tothecardinal。
　　Thisbookwithitsplatesis，forthetime，amasterpieceofaccuracy。Thosewhoarebestacquaintedwiththesubjectsay，thatitisuptothepresentdayakeytothewholeichthyologyoftheMediterranean。Twoothermen，BelonandSalviani，werethenatworkonthesamesubject，andpublishedtheirbooksalmostatthesametime;acircumstancewhichcaused，aswasnatural，athree—corneredduelbetweenthesupportersofthethreenaturalists，eachpartyaccusingtheotherofplagiarism。Thesimplefactseemstobethatthealmostsimultaneousappearanceofthethreebooksin1554—55isoneofthosecoincidencesinevitableatmomentswhenmanymindsarestirredinthesamedirectionbythesamegreatthoughts——
　　coincidenceswhichhavehappenedinourowndayonquestionsofgeology，biology，andastronomy;andwhich，whenthefactshavebeencarefullyexamined，andthefirstflushofnaturaljealousyhascooleddown，haveprovedonlythatthereweremorewisementhanoneintheworldatthesametime。
　　Andthissixteenthcenturywasanageinwhichthemindsofmenweresuddenlyandstrangelyturnedtoexaminethewondersofnaturewithanearnestness，withareverence，andthereforewithanaccuracy，withwhichtheyhadneverbeeninvestigatedbefore。"Nature，"saysProfessorPlanchon，"longveiledinmysticismandscholasticism，wasopeningupinfinitevistas。Anewsuperstition，theexaggeratedworshipoftheancients，wasnearlyhinderingthismovementofthoughttowardsfacts。Nevertheless，Learningdidherwork。Sherediscovered，reconstructed，purified，commentedonthetextsofancientauthors。Thencameinobservation，whichshowedthatmorewastobeseeninonebladeofgrassthaninanypageofPliny。
　　Rondeletwasinthemiddleofthiscrisisamanoftransition，whilehewasoneofprogress。Hereflectedthepast;heopenedandpreparedthefuture。IfhecommentedonDioscorides，ifheremainedfaithfultothetheoriesofGalen，hefoundedinhis’HistoryofFishes’amonumentwhichourcenturyrespects。Heisaboveallaninspirer，aninitiator;andifhewantsonemarkoftheleaderofaschool，thefoundationofcertainscientificdoctrines，thereisinhisspeechwhatisbetterthanallsystems，thecommunicativepowerwhichurgesagenerationofdisciplesalongthepathofindependentresearch，withReasonforguide，andFaithforaim。"
　　AroundRondelet，inthoseyears，sometimesindeedinhishouse——forprofessorsinthosedaystookprivatepupilsaslodgers——workedthegroupofbotanistswhomLinnaeuscalls"theFathers，"theauthorsofthedescriptivebotanyofthesixteenthcentury。Theirnames，andthoseoftheirdisciplesandtheirdisciplesagain，arehouseholdwordsinthemouthofeverygardener，immortalised，likegoodBishopPellicier，intheplantsthathavebeennamedafterthem。TheLobeliacommemoratesLobel，oneofRondelet’smostfamouspupils，whowrotethose"Adversaria"whichcontainsomanycurioussketchesofRondelet’sbotanicalexpeditions，andwhoinheritedhisbotanical（asJouberthisbiographerinheritedhisanatomical）manuscripts。
　　TheMagnoliacommemoratestheMagnols;theSarracenia，SarrasinofLyons;theBauhinia，JeanBauhin;theFuchsia，Bauhin’searlierGermanmaster，LeonardFuchs;andtheClusia——thereceivednameofthatterrible"Matapalo"or"Scotchattorney，"oftheWestIndies，whichkillsthehugesttree，tobecomeashugeatreeitself——
　　immortalisesthegreatClusius，Charlesdel’Escluse，citizenofArras，who，afterstudyingcivillawatLouvain，philosophyatMarburg，andtheologyatWittembergunderMelancthon，cametoMontpellierin1551，toliveinRondelet’sownhouse，andbecomethegreatestbotanistofhisage。
　　ThesewereRondelet’spalmydays。HehadgotatheatreofanatomybuiltatMontpellier，wherehehimselfdissectedpublicly。Hehad，saystradition，alittlebotanicgarden，suchaswerespringinguptheninseveraluniversities，speciallyinItaly。Hehadavillaoutsidethecity，whosetower，nearthemodernrailwaystation，stillbearsthenameofthe"MasdeRondelet。"There，too，maybeseentheremnantsofthegreattanks，fedwithwaterbroughtthroughearthenpipesfromtheFountainofAlbe，whereinhekeptthefishwhosehabitsheobserved。ProfessorPlanchonthinksthathehadsalt—watertankslikewise;andthushemayhavebeenthefatherofall"Aquariums。"Hehadalargeandhandsomehouseinthecityitself，alargepracticeasphysicianinthecountryround;moneyflowedinfasttohim，andflowedoutfastlikewise。Hespentmuchuponbuilding，pullingdown，rebuilding，andsentthebillsinseeminglytohiswifeandtohisguardianangelCatharine。Hehimselfhadneverapennyinhispurse：butearnedthemoney，andlethisladiesspendit;anequitableandpleasantdivisionoflabourwhichmostmarriedmenwoulddowelltoimitate。Agenerous，affectionate，carelesslittleman，hegaveaway，sayshispupilandbiographer，Joubert，hisvaluablespecimenstoanysavantwhobeggedforthem，orleftthemabouttobestolenbyvisitors，who，liketoomanycollectorsinallages，possessedlightfingersandlighterconsciences。Sopacificwashemeanwhile，andsobravewithalthateveninthefearfulyearsof"TheTroubles，"hewouldnevercarrysword，noreventuckordagger：butwentaboutonthemostlonesomejourneysasonewhoworeacharmedlife，secureinGodandinhiscalling，whichwastoheal，andnottokill。
　　ThesewerethegoldenyearsofRondelet’slife;buttroublewascomingonhim，andastormysunsetafterabrilliantday。Helosthissister—in—law，towhomheowedallhisfortunes，andwhohadwatchedeversinceoverhimandhiswifelikeamother;thenhelosthiswifeherselfundermostpainfulcircumstances;thenhisbest—
　　beloveddaughter。Thenhemarriedagain，andlostthesonwhowasborntohim;andthencame，astomanyofthebestinthosedays，evensorertrials，trialsoftheconscience，trialsoffaith。
　　ForinthemeantimeRondelethadbecomeaProtestant，likemanyofthewisestmenroundhim;like，soitwouldseemfromtheevent，themajorityoftheuniversityandtheburghersofMontpellier。Itisnottobewonderedat。Montpellierwasasortofhalfwayresting—
　　placeforProtestantpreachers，whetherfugitiveornot，whowerepassingfromBasle，Geneva，orLyons，toMargueriteofNavarre’slittleProtestantcourtatPanoratNerac，whereallwiseandgoodmen，andnowandthensomefoolishandfanaticalones，foundshelterandhospitality。ThitherCalvinhimselfhadbeen，passingprobablythroughMontpellierandleaving——assuchamanwassuretoleave——
　　themarkofhisfootbehindhim。AtLyons，nogreatdistanceuptheRhone，MargueritehadhelpedtoestablishanorganisedProtestantcommunity;andwhenin1536sheherselfhadpassedthroughMontpellier，tovisitherbrotheratValence，andMontmorency’scampatAvignon，shetookwithherdoubtlessProtestantchaplainsofherown，whospokewisewords——itmaybethatshespokewisewordsherself——totheardentandinquiringstudentsofMontpellier。
　　Moreover，RondeletandhisdiscipleshadbeenforyearspastinconstantcommunicationwiththeProtestantsavantsofSwitzerlandandGermany，amongwhomtheknowledgeofnaturewasprogressingasitneverhadprogressedbefore。For——itisafactalwaystoberemembered——itwasonlyinthefreeairofProtestantcountriesthenaturalsciencescouldgrowandthrive。Theysprungup，indeed，inItalyaftertherestorationofGreekliteratureinthefifteenthcentury;buttheywitheredthereagainonlytoosoonundertheblightingupasshadeofsuperstition。TransplantedtothefreeairofSwitzerland，ofGermany，ofBritain，andofMontpellier，thenhalfProtestant，theydevelopedrapidlyandsurely，simplybecausetheairwasfree;tobecheckedagaininFrancebythereturnofsuperstitionwithdespotismsuper—added，untiltheeveofthegreatFrenchRevolution。
　　SoRondelethadbeenforsomeyearsProtestant。Hehadhiddeninhishouseforalongwhileamonkwhohadlefthismonastery。Hehadhimselfwrittentheologicaltreatises：butwhenhisBishopPellicierwasimprisonedonachargeofheresy，Rondeletburnthismanuscripts，andkepthisopinionstohimself。Stillhewasasuspectedheretic，atlastseeminglyanotoriousone;foronlytheyearbeforehisdeath，goingtovisitpatientsatPerpignan，hewaswaylaidbytheSpaniards，andhadtogethomethroughbypassesofthePyrenees，toavoidbeingthrownintotheInquisition。
　　Andthoseweretimesinwhichitwasnecessaryforamantobecareful，unlesshehadmadeuphismindtobeburned。FormorethanthirtyyearsofRondelet’slifetheburninghadgoneoninhisneighbourhood;intermittentlyitistrue：thespasmsofsuperstitiousfurybeingsucceeded，onemaycharitablyhope，bypityandremorse;butstilltheburningshadgoneon。TheBenedictinemonkofSt。Maur，whowritesthehistoryofLanguedoc，says，quiteenpassant，howsomeonewasburntatToulousein1553，luckilyonlyineffigy，forhehadescapedtoGeneva：butheadds，"nextyeartheyburnedseveralheretics，"itbeingnotworthwhiletomentiontheirnames。In1556theyburnedaliveatToulouseJeanEscalle，apoorFranciscanmonk，whohadfoundhisorderintolerable;whileonePierredeLavaur，whodaredpreachCalvinisminthestreetsofNismes，washangedandburnt。Sohadthescoreofjudicialmurdersbeenincreasingyearbyyear，tillithadtobe，asallevilscoreshavetobeinthisworld，paidoffwithinterest，andpaidoffespeciallyagainsttheignorantandfanaticmonkswhoforawholegeneration，ineveryuniversityandschoolinFrance，hadbeenhowlingdownsoundscience，aswellassoundreligion;andatMontpellierin1560—61，theirdebtwaspaidtheminaveryuglyway。
　　NewscamedowntothehotsouthernersofLanguedocoftheso—calledconspiracyofAmboise。——HowtheDucdeGuiseandtheCardinaldeLorrainehadbutcheredthebestbloodinFranceunderthepretenceofatreasonableplot;howtheKingofNavarreandthePrincedeCondehadbeenarrested;thenhowCondeandColignywerereadytotakeuparmsattheheadofalltheHuguenotsofFrance，andtrytostopthislife—longtorturing，bysharpshotandcoldsteel;thenhowinsixmonths’timethekingwouldassembleageneralcounciltosettlethequestionbetweenCatholicsandHuguenots。TheHuguenots，guessinghowthatwouldend，resolvedtosettlethequestionforthemselves。Theyroseinonecityafteranother，sackedthechurches，destroyedtheimages，putdownbymainforcesuperstitiousprocessionsanddances;anddidmanythingsonlytobeexcusedbytheexasperationcausedbythirtyyearsofcruelty。AtMontpelliertherewashardfighting，murders——sosaytheCatholichistorians——ofpriestsandmonks，sackofthenewcathedral，destructionofthenobleconventswhichlayinaringroundMontpellier。ThecityandtheuniversitywereinthehandsoftheHuguenots，andMontpellierbecameProtestantonthespot。
　　Nextyearcamethecounter—blow。TherewereheavybattleswiththeCatholicsallroundtheneighbourhood，destructionofthesuburbs，threatenedsiegeandsack，andyearsofmiseryandpovertyforMontpellierandallwhoweretherein。
　　HorriblewasthestateofFranceinthosetimesofthewarsofreligionwhichbeganin1562;thetimeswhicharespokenofusuallyas"TheTroubles，"asifmendidnotwishtoalludetothemtooopenly。Then，andafterwardsinthewarsoftheLeague，deedsweredoneforwhichlanguagehasnoname。Thepopulationdecreased。Thelandlayuntilled。ThefairfaceofFrancewasblackenedwithburnthomesteadsandruinedtowns。Ghastlycorpsesdangledinrowsuponthetrees，orfloateddowntheblood—stainedstreams。Lawandorderwereatanend。Bandsofrobbersprowledinopenday，andbandsofwolveslikewise。ButallthroughthehorrorsofthetroubleswecatchsightofthelittlefatdoctorridingallunarmedtoseehispatientsthroughoutLanguedoc;goingvastdistances，hisbiographerssay，bymeansofregularrelaysofhorses，tillhetoobrokedown。
　　Well，forhim，perhaps，thathebrokedownwhenhedid;forcaptureandrecapture，massacreandpestilence，werethefateofMontpellierandthesurroundingcountry，tillthebettertimesofHenryIV。andtheEdictofNantesin1598，whenlibertyofworshipwasgiventotheProtestantsforawhile。
　　Intheburningsummerof1566，RondeletwentalongjourneytoToulouse，seeminglyuponanerrandofcharity，tosettlesomelawaffairsforhisrelations。Thesanitarystateofthesoutherncitiesisbadenoughstill。Itmusthavebeenhorribleinthosedaysofbarbarismandmisrule。DysenterywasepidemicatToulousethen，andRondelettookit。Heknewfromthefirstthatheshoulddie。Hewaswornout，itissaid，byover—exertion;bysorrowforthemiseriesoftheland;byfruitlessstrugglestokeepthepeace，andtostriveformoderationindayswhenmenwereallimmoderate。
　　Butherodeawayaday’sjourney——hetooktwodaysoverit，soweakhewas——intheblazingJulysun，toafriend’ssickwifeatRealmont，andtheretooktohisbed，anddiedagoodman’sdeath。
　　ThedetailsofhisdeathandlastillnesswerewrittenandpublishedbyhiscousinClaudeFormy;andwellworthreadingtheyaretoanymanwhowishestoknowhowtodie。RondeletwouldhavenotidingsofhisillnesssenttoMontpellier。Hewashappy，hesaid，indyingawayfromthetearsofhishousehold，and"safefrominsult。"Hedreaded，onemaysuppose，lestpriestsandfriarsshouldforcetheirwaytohisbedside，andtrytoextortsomerecantationfromthegreatsavant，thehonourandgloryoftheircity。SotheysentfornopriesttoRealmont;butroundhisbedaknotofCalvinistgentlemenandministersreadtheScriptures，andsangDavid’spsalms，andprayed;andRondeletprayedwiththemthroughlongagonies，andsowenthometoGod。
　　TheBenedictinemonk—historianofLanguedoc，inallhisvoluminousfolios，nevermentions，asfarasIcanfind，Rondelet’sexistence。
　　Whyshouldhe？Themanwasonlyadruggist’ssonandaheretic，whohealeddiseases，andcollectedplants，andwroteabookonfish。
　　ButthelearnedmenofMontpellier，andofallEurope，hadaverydifferentopinionofhim。HisbodywasburiedatRealmont;butbeforetheschoolsofToulousetheysetupawhitemarbleslab，andaninscriptionthereonsettingforthhislearningandhisvirtues;
　　andepitaphsonhimwerecomposedbythelearnedthroughoutEurope，notonlyinFrenchandLatin，butinGreek，Hebrew，andevenChaldee。
　　Solivedandsodiedanobleman;morenoble，tomymind，thanmanyavictoriouswarrior，orsuccessfulstatesman，orcanonisedsaint。
　　Toknowfacts，andtohealdiseases，werethetwoobjectsofhislife。Forthemhetoiled，asfewmenhavetoiled;andhediedinharness，athiswork——thebestdeathanymancandie。
　　VESALIUSTHEANATOMIST{9}
　　Icannotbeginasketchofthelifeofthisgreatmanbetterthanbytryingtodescribeascenesopicturesque，sotragicintheeyesofthosewhoarewonttomournoverhumanfollies，socomicintheeyesofthosewhoprefertolaughoverthem，thatthereaderwillnotbelikelytoforgeteitheritortheactorsinit。
　　ItisadarkenedchamberintheCollegeofAlcala，intheyear1562，wherelies，probablyinahugefour—postbed，shroudedinstiflinghangings，theheir—apparentofthegreatestempireinthethenworld，DonCarlos，onlysonofPhilipII。andheir—apparentofSpain，theNetherlands，andalltheIndies。Ashortsicklyboyofsixteen，withabullhead，acrookedshoulder，ashortleg，andabrutaltemper，hewillnotbemissedbytheworldifheshoulddie。
　　Hisprofligatecareerseemstohavebroughtitsownpunishment。Tothescandalofhisfather，whotoleratednoone’svicessavehisown，aswellastothescandaloftheuniversityauthoritiesofAlcala，hehasbeenscouringthestreetsattheheadofthemostprofligatestudents，insultingwomen，evenladiesofrank，andamenableonlytohislovelyyoungstepmother，ElizabethofValois，IsabeldelaPaz，astheSpaniardscallher，thedaughterofCatherinedoMedicis，andsisteroftheKingofFrance。DonCarlosshouldhavemarriedher，hadnothisworthyfatherfounditmoreadvantageousforthecrownofSpain，aswellasmorepleasantforhim，Philip，tomarryherhimself。Whencecameheart—burnings，rage，jealousies，romances，calumnies，ofwhichtwolast——inasfaratleastastheyconcernpoorElizabeth——nowisemannowbelievesaword。
　　Goingonsomeerrandonwhichhehadnobusiness——therearetwostories，neitherofthemcreditablenornecessarytorepeat——DonCarloshasfallendownstairsandbrokenhishead。Hecomes，byhisPortuguesemother’sside，ofahousedeeplytaintedwithinsanity;
　　andsuchaninjurymayhaveseriousconsequences。However，forninedaysthewoundgoesonwell，andDonCarlos，havinghadawholesomefright，is，accordingtoDoctorOlivarez，themedicodecamara，averygoodlad，andlivesonchickenbrothanddriedplums。Butonthetenthdaycomesonnumbnessoftheleftside，acutepainsinthehead，andthengraduallyshivering，highfever，erysipelas。Hisheadandneckswelltoanenormoussize;thencomesragingdelirium，thenstupefaction，andDonCarlosliesasonedead。
　　Amodernsurgeonwould，probably，thankstothattrainingofwhichVesaliusmaybealmostcalledthefather，havehadlittledifficultyinfindingoutwhatwasthematterwiththelucklesslad，andlittledifficultyinremovingtheevil，ifithadnotgonetoofar。ButtheSpanishphysicianswerethen，asmanyofthemaresaidtobestill，asfarbehindtheworldinsurgeryasinotherthings;andindeedsurgeryitselfwastheninitsinfancy，becausemen，eversincetheearlyGreekschoolsofAlexandriahaddiedout，hadbeenforcenturiesfeedingtheirmindswithanythingratherthanwithfacts。ThereforethelearnedmorosophswhoweregatheredroundDonCarlos’ssickbedhadbecomeaccordingtotheirownconfession，utterlyconfused，terrified，andattheirwits’end。
　　Itisthe7thofMay，theeighteenthdayaftertheaccidentaccordingtoOlivarez’sstory：heandDrVegahavebeenbleedingtheunhappyprince，enlargingthewoundtwice，andtorturinghimseeminglyonmereguesses。"Ibelieve，"saysOlivarez，"thatallwasdonewell：butasIhavesaid，inwoundsintheheadtherearestrangelabyrinths。"Soonthe7ththeystandroundthebedindespair。DonGarciadeToledo，theprince’sfaithfulgovernor，issittingbyhim，wornoutwithsleeplessnights，andtryingtosupplytothepoorboythatmother’stendernesswhichhehasneverknown。
　　Alva，too，isthere，stern，self—compressed，mostterrible，andyetmostbeautiful。HehasaGodonearth，andthatisPhiliphismaster;andthoughhehasbornemuchfromDonCarlosalready，andwillhavetobearmore，yetthewretchedladistohimasasonofGod，aseconddeity，whowillbyrightdivinesucceedtotheinheritanceofthefirst;andhewatchesthislesserdeitystrugglingbetweenlifeanddeathwithanintensityofwhichwe，intheselessloyaldays，canformnonotion。Onewouldbegladtohaveaglimpseofwhatpassedthroughthatmind，sosubtleandsoruthless，sodisciplinedandsoloyalwithal：butAlvawasamanwhowasnotgiventospeakhismind，buttoactit。
　　Onewouldwish，too，foraglimpseofwhatwaspassingthroughthemindofanotherman，whohasbeendailyinthatsickchamber，accordingtoOlivarez’sstatement，sincethefirstofthemonth：
　　butheisonewhohashad，forsomeyearspast，evenmorereasonthanAlvafornotspeakinghismind。Whathelookedlikeweknowwell，forTitianhaspaintedhimfromthelife——atall，bold，well—
　　dressedman，withanoblebrain，squareandyetlofty，shortcurlinglocksandbeard，aneyewhichlooksasthoughitfearedneithermannorfiend——andithashadgoodreasontofearboth——andfeatureswhichwouldbeexceedinghandsome，butforthedefiantsnub—nose。
　　ThatisAndreasVesalius，ofBrussels，dreadedandhatedbythedoctorsoftheoldschool——suspect，moreover，itwouldseemtoinquisitorsandtheologians，possiblytoAlvahimself;forhehasdaredtodissecthumanbodies;hehasinsultedthemediaevalistsatParis，Padua，Bologna，Pisa，Venice，inopentheatre;hehasturnedtheheadsofalltheyoungsurgeonsinItalyandFrance;hehaswrittenagreatbook，withprintsinit，designed，somesay，byTitian——theywereactuallydonebyanotherNetherlander，JohnofCalcar，nearCleves——inwhichhehasdaredtoprovethatGalen’sanatomywasatfaultthroughout，andthathehadbeendescribingamonkey’sinsidewhenhehadpretendedtobedescribingaman’s;andthus，byimpudenceandquackery，hehaswormedhimself——thisNetherlander，ahereticatheart，asallNetherlandersare，toGodaswellastoGalen——intotheconfidenceofthelateEmperorCharlesV。，andgonecampaigningwithhimasoneofhisphysicians，anatomisinghumanbodiesevenonthebattle—field，anddefacingthelikenessofDeity;andworsethanthat，themostreligiousKingPhilipisdeceivedbyhimlikewise，andkeepshiminMadridinwealthandhonour;andnow，intheprince’sextremedanger，thekinghasactuallysentforhim，andbiddenhimtryhisskill——amanwhoknowsnothingsaveaboutbonesandmusclesandtheoutsideofthebody，andisunworthythenameofatruephysician。
　　OnecanconceivetherageoftheoldSpanishpedantsattheNetherlander’sappearance，andstillmoreatwhatfollowed，ifwearetobelieveHugoBloetofDelft，hiscountrymanandcontemporary。
　　{10}Vesalius，hesays，sawthatthesurgeonshadboundupthewoundsotightthatanabscesshadformedoutsidetheskull，whichcouldnotbreak：heassertedthattheonlyhopelayinopeningit;
　　anddidso，Philiphavinggivenleave，"bytwocross—cuts。Thentheladreturnedtohimself，asifawakenedfromaprofoundsleep，affirmingthatheowedhisrestorationtolifetotheGermandoctor。"
　　DionysiusDaza，whowastherewiththeotherphysiciansandsurgeons，tellsadifferentstory："Themostlearned，famous，andrareBaronVesalius，"hesays，advisedthattheskullshouldbetrepanned;buthisadvicewasnotfollowed。
　　Olivarez’saccountagreeswiththatofDaza。Theyhadopenedthewounds，hesays，downtotheskullbeforeVesaliuscame。Vesaliusinsistedthattheinjurylayinsidetheskull，andwishedtopierceit。OlivarezspendsmuchlabourinprovingthatVesaliushad"nogreatfoundationforhisopinion："butconfessesthatheneverchangedthatopiniontothelast，thoughalltheSpanishdoctorswereagainsthim。Thenonthe6th，hesays，theBachelorTorrescamefromMadrid，andadvisedthattheskullshouldbelaidbareoncemore;andonthe7th，therebeingstilldoubtwhethertheskullwasnotinjured，theoperationwasperformed——bywhomitisnotsaid——butwithoutanygoodresult，or，accordingtoOlivarez，anydiscovery，savethatVesaliuswaswrong，andtheskulluninjured。
　　Whetherthissecondoperationofthe7thofMaywasperformedbyVesalius，andwhetheritwasthatofwhichBloetspeaks，isanopenquestion。Olivarez’swholerelationisapologetic，writtentojustifyhimselfandhissevenSpanishcolleagues，andtoproveVesaliusinthewrong。Publicopinion，heconfesses，hadbeenveryfierceagainsthim。ThecreditofSpanishmedicinewasatstake：
　　andwearenotboundtobelieveimplicitlyapaperdrawnupundersuchcircumstancesforPhilip’seye。This，atleast，wegather：
　　thatDonCarloswasnevertrepanned，asiscommonlysaid;andthis，also，thatwhicheverofthetwostoriesistrue，equallyputsVesaliusintodirect，andmostunpleasant，antagonismtotheSpanishdoctors。{11}
　　ButDonCarlosstilllaysenseless;andyieldingtopopularclamour，thedoctorscalledintheaidofacertainMoorishdoctor，fromValencia，namedPriotarete，whoseunguents，itwasreported，hadachievedmanymiraculouscures。Theunguent，however，tothehorrorofthedoctors，burnedtheskulltillthebonewasasblackasthecolourofink;andOlivarezdeclareshebelievesittohavebeenapreparationofpurecaustic。Onthemorningofthe9thofMay，theMoorandhisunguentsweresentaway，"andwenttoMadrid，tosendtoheavenHernandodeVega，whiletheprincewentbacktoourmethodofcure。"
　　Consideringwhathappenedonthemorningofthe10thofMay，weshouldnowpresumethatthesecondopeningoftheabscess，whetherbyVesaliusorsomeoneelse，relievedthepressureonthebrain;
　　thatacriticalperiodofexhaustionfollowed，probablyprolongedbytheMoor’sprematurecaustic，whichstoppedthesuppuration：butthatGod’sgoodhandiwork，callednature，triumphedatlast;andthatthereforeitcametopassthattheprincewasoutofdangerwithinthreedaysoftheoperation。Buthewastaught，itseems，toattributehisrecoverytoaverydifferentsourcefromthatofaGermanknife。Foronthemorningofthe9th，whentheMoorwasgone，andDonCarloslayseeminglylifeless，theredescendedintohischamberaDeusemachina，orratherawholepantheonofgreaterorlesserdeities，whoweretoeffectthatwhichmedicalskillseemednottohaveeffected。Philipsentintotheprince’schamberseveralofthepreciousrelicswhichheusuallycarriedaboutwithhim。ThemiraculousimageoftheVirginofAtocha，inembroideringgarmentsforwhom，Spanishroyalty，maleandfemale，hasspentsomanyanhourerenow，wasbroughtinsolemnprocessionandplacedonanaltaratthefootoftheprince’sbed;andintheafternoonthereentered，withaprocessionlikewise，ashrinecontainingthebonesofaholyanchorite，oneFrayDiego，"whoselifeandmiracles，"saysOlivarez，"aresonotorious："andthebonesofSt。JustusandSt。
　　Pastor，thetutelarsaintsoftheuniversityofAlcala。AmidsolemnlitaniestherelicsofFrayDiegowerelaidupontheprince’spillow，andthesudarium，ormortuarycloth，whichhadcoveredhisface，wasplacedupontheprince’sforehead。
　　Modernsciencemightobjectthatthepresenceofsomanypersonages，howeverpiousorwellintentioned，inasickchamberonahotSpanishMayday，especiallyasthebathhadbeen，forsomegenerationspast，heldinreligioushorrorthroughoutSpain，asasignofMoorishandMussulmantendencies，mighthavesomewhatinterferedwiththechancesofthepoorboy’srecovery。
　　NeverthelesstheeventseemstohavesatisfiedPhilip’shighesthopes;forthatsamenight（soDonCarlosafterwardsrelated）theholymonkDiegoappearedtohiminavision，wearingthehabitofSt。Francis，andbearinginhishandacrossofreedstiedwithagreenband。TheprincestatedthathefirsttooktheapparitiontobethatoftheblessedSt。Francis;butnotseeingthestigmata，heexclaimed，"How？Dostthounotbearthemarksofthewounds？"WhatherepliedDonCarlosdidnotrecollect;savethatheconsoledhim，andtoldhimthatheshouldnotdieofthatmalady。
　　PhiliphadreturnedtoMadrid，andshuthimselfupingriefinthegreatJeronymitemonastery。Elizabethwasprayingforherstep—sonbeforethemiraculousimagesofthesamecity。Duringthenightofthe9thofMayprayerswentupforDonCarlosinallthechurchesofToledo，Alcala，andMadrid。Alvastoodallthatnightatthebed’sfoot。DonGarciadeToledosatinthearm—chair，wherehehadnowsatnightanddayformorethanafortnight。Thegoodpreceptor，HonoratoJuan，afterwardsBishopofOsma，wrestledinprayerfortheladthewholenightthrough。Hisprayerwasanswered：probablyithadbeenansweredalready，withouthisbeingawareofit。Bethatasitmay，aboutdawnDonCarlos’sheavybreathingceased;hefellintoaquietsleep;andwhenheawokeallperceivedatoncethathewassaved。
　　Hedidnotrecoverhissight，seeminglyonaccountoftheerysipelas，foraweekmore。HethenopenedhiseyesuponthemiraculousimageofAtocha，andvowedthat，ifherecovered，hewouldgivetotheVirgin，atfourdifferentshrinesinSpain，goldplateoffourtimeshisweight;andsilverplateofseventimeshisweight，whenheshouldrisefromhiscouch。Soonthe6thofJuneherose，andwasweighedinafurcoatandarobeofdamask，andhisweightwasthreearrobasandonepound——seventy—sixpoundsinall。
　　Onthe14thofJunehewenttovisithisfatherattheepiscopalpalace;thentoallthechurchesandshrinesinAlcala，andofcoursetothatofFrayDiego，whosebodyitissaidhecontemplatedforsometimewithedifyingdevotion。ThenextyearsawFrayDiegocanonisedasasaint，attheintercessionofPhilipandhisson;andthusDonCarlosre—enteredtheworld，tobeaterrorandatormenttoallaroundhim，andtodie——notbyPhilip’scruelty，ashisenemiesreportedtoohastilyindeed，yetexcusably，fortheyknewhimtobecapableofanywickedness——butsimplyofconstitutionalinsanity。
　　Andnowletusgobacktothehistoryof"thatmostlearned，famous，andrareBaronVesalius，"whohadstoodbyandseenallthesethingsdone;andtryifwecannot，afterwehavelearnedthehistoryofhisearlylife，guessatsomeofhisprobablemeditationsonthiscelebratedclinicalcase;andguessalsohowthosemeditationsmayhaveaffectedseriouslytheeventsofhisafterlife。
　　Vesalius（asIsaid）wasaNetherlander，bornatBrusselsin1513or1514。Hisfatherandgrandfatherhadbeenmedicalmenofthehigheststandinginaprofessionwhichthen，asnow，wascommonlyhereditary。HisrealnamewasWittag，anancientfamilyofWesel，ontheRhine，fromwhichtowneitherheorhisfatheradoptedthenameofVesalius，accordingtotheclassicisingfashionofthosedays。YoungVesaliuswassenttocollegeatLouvain，wherehelearnedrapidly。AtsixteenorseventeenheknewnotonlyLatin，butGreekenoughtocorrecttheproofsofGalen，andArabicenoughtobecomeacquaintedwiththeworksoftheMussulmanphysicians。Hewasaphysicisttoo，andamathematician，accordingtotheknowledgeofthosetimes;buthispassion——thestudytowhichhewasdestinedtodevotehislife——wasanatomy。
　　Littleornothing（itmustbeunderstood）hadbeendoneinanatomysincethedaysofGalenofPergamos，inthesecondcenturyafterChrist，andverylittleevenbyhim。Dissectionwasallbutforbiddenamongtheancients。TheEgyptians，Herodotustellsus，usedtopursuewithstonesandcursestheembalmersassoonastheyhadperformedtheirunpleasantoffice;andthoughHerophilusandErasistratusaresaidtohavedissectedmanysubjectsundertheprotectionofPtolemySoterinAlexandriaitself：yetthepublicfeelingoftheGreeksaswellasoftheRomanscontinuedthesameasthatoftheancientEgyptians;andGalenwasfain——asVesaliusproved——tosupplementhisignoranceofthehumanframebydescribingthatofanape。DissectionwasequallyforbiddenamongtheMussulmans;andthegreatArabicphysicianscoulddonomorethancommentonGalen。ThesameprejudiceextendedthroughtheMiddleAge。Medicalmenwereallclerks，CLERICI，andassuchforbiddentoshedblood。Theonlydissection，asfarasIamaware，madeduringtheMiddleAgewasonebyMundinusin1306;andhissubsequentcommentariesonGalen——forhedareallowhisowneyestoseenomorethanGalenhadseenbeforehim——constitutedthebestanatomicalmanualinEuropetillthemiddleofthefifteenthcentury。
　　Then，inItalyatleast，theclassicRenaissancegavefreshlifetoanatomyastoallothersciences。Especiallydidtheimprovementsinpaintingandsculpturestirmenuptoacloserstudyofthehumanframe。LeonardodaVinciwroteatreatiseonmuscularanatomy。Theartistandthesculptoroftenworkedtogether，andrealisedthatsketchofMichaelAngelo’sinwhichhehimselfisassistingFallopius，Vesalius’sfamouspupil，todissect。VesaliussoonfoundthathisthirstforfactscouldnotbeslakedbythetheoriesoftheMiddleAge;soin1530hewentofftoMontpellier，whereFrancisI。
　　hadjustfoundedamedicalschool，andwheretheancientlawsofthecityallowedthefacultyeachyearthebodyofacriminal。Fromthence，afterbecomingthefellow—pupilandthefriendofRondelet，andprobablyalsoofRabelaisandthoseotherluminariesofMontpellier，ofwhomIspokeinmyessayonRondelet，hereturnedtoParistostudyunderoldSylvius，whoserealnamewasJacquesDubois，aliasJocko’theWood;andtolearnless——ashecomplainshimself——inananatomicaltheatrethanabutchermightlearninhisshop。
　　Wereitnotthatthewholequestionofdissectionisoneoverwhichitisrighttodrawareverentveil，asathingpainful，howevernecessaryandhoweverinnocent，itwouldbeeasytoraiseghastlylaughterinmanyareaderbythestorieswhichVesaliushimselftellsofhisstrugglestolearnanatomy。HowoldSylviustriedtodemonstratethehumanframefromabitofadog，fumblinginvainformuscleswhichhecouldnotfind，orwhichoughttohavebeenthere，accordingtoGalen，andwerenot;whileyoungVesalius，assoonastheoldpedant’sbackwasturned，tookhisplace，and，tothedelightofthestudents，foundforhim——provideditwerethere——
　　whathecouldnotfindhimself;——howhewentbody—snatchingandgibbet—robbing，oftenatthedangerofhislife，aswhenheandhisfriendwerenearlytorntopiecesbythecannibaldogswhohauntedtheButtedeMontfaucon，orplaceofpublicexecution;——howheacquired，byalonganddangerousprocess，theonlyperfectskeletonthenintheworld，andthehideousstoryoftherobbertowhomithadbelonged——allthesehorrorsthosewholistmayreadforthemselveselsewhere。Ihastenpastthemwiththisremark——thattohavegonethroughthetoils，dangers，anddisgustswhichVesaliusfaced，arguedinasuperstitiousandcruelagelikehis，nocommonphysicalandmoralcourage，andadeepconsciencethathewasdoingright，andmustdoitatallrisksinthefaceofagenerationwhich，peculiarlyrecklessofhumanlifeandhumanagony，allowedthatframewhichitcalledtheimageofGodtobetortured，maimed，desecratedineverywaywhilealive;andyet——strainingatthegnatafterhavingswallowedthecamel——forbadeittobeexaminedwhendead，thoughforthepurposeofalleviatingthemiseriesofmankind。
　　ThebreakingoutofwarbetweenFrancisI。andCharlesV。droveVesaliusbacktohisnativecountryandLouvain;andin1535wehearofhimasasurgeoninCharlesV。’sarmy。Hesaw，mostprobably，theEmperor’sinvasionofProvence，andthedisastrousretreatfrombeforeMontmorency’sfortifiedcampatAvignon，throughacountryinwhichthatcraftygeneralhaddestroyedeveryarticleofhumanfood，exceptthehalf—ripegrapes。Hesaw，perhaps，theSpanishsoldiers，poisonedalikebythesourfruitandbytheblazingsun，fallinginhundredsalongthewhiteroadswhichledbackintoSavoy，murderedbythepeasantrywhosehomesteadshadbeendestroyed，stifledbytheweightoftheirownarmour，ordesperatelyputtingthemselves，withtheirownhands，outofaworldwhichhadbecomeintolerable。Halfthearmyperished。TwothousandcorpseslayfesteringbetweenAixandFrejusalone。IfyoungVesaliusneeded"subjects，"theambitionandthecrimeofmanfoundenoughforhiminthoseblazingSeptemberdays。
　　HewenttoItaly，probablywiththeremnantsofthearmy。Wherecouldhehaveratherwishedtofindhimself？Hewasatlastinthecountrywherethehumanmindseemedtobegrowingyoungoncemore;
　　thecountryofrevivedarts，revivedsciences，learning，languages;
　　and——though，alas！onlyforawhileofrevivedfreethought，suchasEuropehadnotseensincethepalmydaysofGreece。Hereatleasthewouldbeappreciated;hereatleasthewouldbeallowedtothinkandspeak：andhewasappreciated。TheItaliancities，whowerethen，liketheAtheniansofold，"spendingtheirtimeinnothingelsesavetohearortotellsomethingnew，"welcomedthebraveyoungFlemingandhisnovelties。WithintwoyearshewasprofessorofanatomyatPadua，thenthefirstschoolintheworld;thenatBolognaandatPisaatthesametime;lastofallatVenice，whereTitianpaintedthatportraitofhimwhichremainsuntothisday。
　　Theseyearswereforhimacontinualtriumph;everywhere，ashedemonstratedonthehumanbody，studentscrowdedhistheatre，orhungroundhimashewalkedthestreets;professorslefttheirownchairs——theirscholarshavingdesertedthemalready——togoandlistenhumblyorenviouslytothemanwhocouldgivethemwhatallbravesoulsthroughouthalfEuropewerecravingfor，andcravinginvain——facts。Andso，yearafteryear，wasrealisedthatscenewhichstandsengravedinthefrontispieceofhisgreatbook——where，inthelittlequaintCinquecentotheatre，saucyscholars，reverenddoctors，gaygentlemen，andevencowledmonks，arecrowdingthefloor，peepingovereachother’sshoulders，hangingonthebalustrades;
　　whileinthecentre，overhis"subject"——whichoneofthosesamecowledmonksknewbuttoowell——standsyoungVesalius，upright，proud，almostdefiant，asonewhoknowshimselfsafeintheimpregnablecitadeloffact;andinhishandthelittlebladeofsteel，destined——becausewieldedinobediencetothelawsofnature，whicharethelawsofGod——toworkmorebenefitforthehumanracethanalltheswordswhichweredrawninthosedays，orperhapsinanyother，atthebiddingofmostCatholicEmperorsandmostChristianKings。
　　ThosewereindeeddaysoftriumphforVesalius;oftriumphdeserved，becauseearnedbypatientandaccuratetoilinagoodcause：butVesalius，beingbutamortalman，mayhavecontractedinthosesamedaysatemperofimperiousnessandself—conceit，suchasheshowedafterwardswhenhispupilFallopiusdaredtoaddfreshdiscoveriestothoseofhismaster。Andyet，inspiteofallVesaliusknew，howlittleheknew！Howhumblingtohisprideitwouldhavebeenhadheknownthen——perhapshedoesknownow——thathehadactuallyagainandagainwalked，asitwere，roundandroundthetruetheoryofthecirculationoftheblood，andyetneverseenit;thatthatdiscoverywhich，oncemade，isintelligible，asfarasanyphenomenonisintelligible，tothemerestpeasant，wasreservedforanothercentury，andforoneofthoseEnglishmenonwhomVesaliuswouldhavelookedassemi—barbarians。
　　Tomakealongstoryshort：threeyearsafterthepublicationofhisfamousbook，"DeCorporisHumaniFabrica，"heleftVenicetocureCharlesV。，atRegensburg，andbecameoneofthegreatEmperor’sphysicians。
　　ThiswasthecrisisofVesalius’slife。ThemedicinewithwhichhehadworkedthecurewasChina——Sarsaparilla，aswecallitnow——
　　broughthomefromthethennewly—discoveredbanksoftheParaguayandUruguay，whereitsbedsoftangledvine，theysay，tingetheclearwatersadark—brownlikethatofpeat，andconvertwholestreamsintoahealthfulandpleasanttonic。OnthevirtuesofthisChina（thensupposedtobearoot）Vesaliuswroteafamouslittlebook，intowhichhecontrivedtointerweavehisopinionsonthingsingeneral，asgoodBishopBerkeleydidafterwardsintohisessayonthevirtuesoftar—water。Intothisbook，however，Vesaliusintroduced——asBishopBerkeleydidnot——much，andperhapstoomuch，abouthimself;andmuch，thoughperhapsnottoomuch，aboutpooroldGalen，andhissubstitutionofanape’sinsideforthatofahumanbeing。Thestormwhichhadbeenlonggatheringburstuponhim。Theoldschool，tremblingfortheirtime—honouredreign，bespattered，withallthatpedantry，ignorance，andenvycouldsuggest，themanwhodarednotonlytorevolutionisesurgery，buttointerferewiththeprivilegedmysteriesofmedicine;and，overandabove，tobecomeagreaterfavouriteatthecourtofthegreatestofmonarchs。WhilesuchasEustachius，himselfanablediscoverer，couldjoininthecry，itisnowonderifalowersoul，likethatofSylvius，leditopen—mouthed。Hewasamean，covetous，badman，asGeorgeBachananwellknew;and，accordingtohisnature，hewroteafuriousbook——
　　"AdVesanicalumniasdepulsandas。"ThepunningchangeofVesaliusintoVesanus（madman）wasbutafairandgentlestrokeforapolemic，indaysinwhichthosewhocouldnotkilltheirenemieswithsteelorpowder，heldthemselvesjustifiedindoingso，ifpossible，byvituperation，calumny，andeveryengineofmoraltorture。Butafarmoreterribleweapon，andonewhichmadeVesaliusrage，anditmaybeforonceinhislifetremble，wasthechargeofimpietyandheresy。TheInquisitionwasaveryuglyplace。Itwasveryeasytogetintoit，especiallyforaNetherlander：butnotsoeasytogetout。IndeedVesaliusmusthavetrembled，whenhesawhismaster，CharlesV。，himselftakefright，andactuallycallonthetheologiansofSalamancatodecidewhetheritwaslawfultodissectahumanbody。Themonks，totheirhonour，usedtheircommonsense，andansweredYes。Thedeedwassoplainlyusefulthatitmustbelawfullikewise。ButVesaliusdidnotfeelthathehadtriumphed。Hedreaded，possibly，lestthestormshouldonlyhaveblownoverforatime。Hefell，possibly，intohastydisgustatthefollyofmankind，anddespairofarousingthemtousetheircommonsense，andacknowledgetheirtrueinterestandtheirtruebenefactors。Atallevents，hethrewintothefire——
　　soitissaid——allhisunpublishedmanuscripts，therecordsoflongyearsofobservation，andrenouncedsciencethenceforth。
　　WehearofhimafterthisatBrussels，andatBaslelikewise——inwhichlattercity，inthecompanyofphysicians，naturalists，andGrecians，hemusthavebreathedawhileafreerair。ButheseemstohavereturnedthencetohisoldmasterCharlesV。，andtohavefinallysettledatMadridasacourtsurgeontoPhilipII。，whosenthim，buttoolate，toextractthelancesplintersfromtheeyeofthedyingHenryII。
　　HewasnowmarriedtoaladyofrankfromBrussels，AnnevanHammebyname;andtheirdaughtermarriedintimePhilipII。’sgrandfalconer，whowasdoubtlessapersonageofnosmallsocialrank。
　　Vesaliuswaswelloffinworldlythings;somewhatfond，itissaid，ofgoodlivingandofluxury;inclined，itmaybe，tosay，"Letuseatanddrink，forto—morrowwedie，"andtosinkmoreandmoreintothemereworldling，unlesssomeshockshouldawakehimfromhislethargy。
　　Andtheawakeningshockdidcome。Aftereightyearsofcourtlife，heresolved，earlyintheyear1564，togoonapilgrimagetoJerusalem。
　　Thereasonsforsostrangeadeterminationarewrappedinmysteryandcontradiction。Thecommonstorywasthathehadopenedacorpsetoascertainthecauseofdeath，andthat，tothehorrorofthebystanders，theheartwasstillseentobeat;thathisenemiesaccusedhimtotheInquisition，andthathewascondemnedtodeath，asentencewhichwascommutedtothatofgoingonpilgrimage。Buthere，attheveryoutset，accountsdiffer。Onesaysthatthevictimwasanobleman，namenotgiven;anotherthatitwasalady’smaid，namenotgiven。Itismostimprobable，ifnotimpossible，thatVesalius，ofallmen，shouldhavemistakenalivingbodyforadeadone;whileitismostprobable，ontheotherhand，thathismedicalenemieswouldgladlyraisesuchacalumnyagainsthim，whenhewasnolongerinSpaintocontradictit。MeanwhileLlorente，thehistorianoftheInquisition，makesnomentionofVesaliushavingbeenbroughtbeforeitstribunal，whilehedoesmentionVesalius’sresidenceatMadrid。Anotherstoryis，thathewentabroadtoescapethebadtemperofhiswife;anotherthathewantedtoenrichhimself。Anotherstory——andthatnotanunlikelyone——is，thathewasjealousoftherisingreputationofhispupilFallopius，thenprofessorofanatomyatVenice。Thisdistinguishedsurgeon，asI
　　saidbefore，hadwrittenabook，inwhichheaddedtoVesalius’sdiscoveries，andcorrectedcertainofhiserrors。Vesaliushadansweredhimhastilyandangrily，quotinghisanatomyfrommemory;
　　for，ashehimselfcomplained，hecouldnotinSpainobtainasubjectfordissection;noteven，hesaid，asingleskull。HehadsenthisbooktoVenicetobepublished，andhadheard，seemingly，nothingofit。Hemayhavefeltthathewasfallingbehindintheraceofscience，andthatitwasimpossibleforhimtocarryonhisstudiesinMadrid;andso，angrywithhisownlazinessandluxury，hemayhavefelttheoldsacredfireflashupinhim，andhavedeterminedtogotoItalyandbecomeastudentandaworkeroncemore。
　　Theverydaythathesetout，ClusiusofArras，thenprobablythebestbotanistintheworld，arrivedatMadrid;and，askingthereasonofVesalius’sdeparture，wastoldbytheirfellow—countryman，CharlesdeTisnacq，procuratorfortheaffairsoftheNetherlands，thatVesaliushadgoneofhisownfreewill，andwithallfacilitieswhichPhilipcouldgranthim，inperformanceofavowwhichhehadmadeduringadangerousillness。Here，atleast，wehaveadropofinformation，whichseemstakenfromthestreamsufficientlyneartothefountain—head：butitmustberecollectedthatDeTisnacqlivedindangeroustimes，andmayhavefounditnecessarytowalkwarilyinthem;thatthroughhimhadbeensent，onlytheyearbefore，thatfamousletterfromWilliamofOrange，Horn，andEgmont，thefatewhereofmaybereadinMr。Motley’sfourthchapter;thatthecrisisoftheNetherlandswhichsprungoutofthatletterwascomingfast;andthat，asDeTisnacqwasonfriendlytermswithEgmont，hemayhavefelthisheadattimessomewhatlooseonhisshoulders;especiallyifhehadheardAlvasay，ashewrote，"thateverytimehesawthedespatchesofthosethreesenors，theymovedhischolerso，thatifhedidnottakemuchcaretotemperit，hewouldseemafrenziedman。"Insuchtimes，DeTisnacqmayhavethoughtgoodtoreturnadiplomaticanswertoafellow—countrymanconcerningathirdfellow—countryman，especiallywhenthatcountryman，asaformerpupilofMelancthonatWittemberg，mighthimselfbeundersuspicionofheresy，andthereforeofpossibletreason。
　　Bethisasitmay，onecannotbutsuspectsomestrainoftruthinthestoryabouttheInquisition;for，whetherornotVesaliusoperatedonDonCarlos，hehadseenwithhisowneyesthatmiraculousVirginofAtochaatthebed’sfootoftheprince。Hehadheardhisrecoveryattributed，nottotheoperation，buttotheintercessionofFray，nowSaintDiego;{12}andhemusthavehadhisthoughtsthereon，andmay，inanunguardedmoment，havespokenthem。
　　Forhewas，beitalwaysremembered，aNetherlander。Thecrisisofhiscountrywasjustathand。Rebellionwasinevitable，and，withrebellion，horrorsunutterable;and，meanwhile，DonCarloshadsethismadbrainonhavingthecommandoftheNetherlands。Inhisrage，atnothavingit，asalltheworldknows，henearlykilledAlvawithhisownhands，sometwoyearsafter。IfitbetruethatDonCarlosfeltadebtofgratitudetoVesalius，hemay（afterhiswont）havepouredouttohimsomewildconfidenceabouttheNetherlands，tohaveevenheardwhichwouldbeacrimeinPhilip’seyes。Andifthisbebutafancy，stillVesaliuswas，asIjustsaid，aNetherlander，andoneofabrainandaspirittowhichPhilip’sdoings，andtheairoftheSpanishcourt，musthavebeengrowingevermoreandmoreintolerable。Hundredsofhiscountryfolk，perhapsmenandwomenwhomhehadknown，werebeingracked，burntalive，buriedalive，atthebiddingofajocularruffian，PeterTitelmann，thechiefinquisitor。The"dayoftheMAUBRULEZ，"
　　andthewholesalemassacrewhichfollowedit，hadhappenedbuttwoyearsbefore;and，byallthesignsofthetimes，thesemurdersandmiserieswerecertaintoincrease。Andwhywereallthesepoorwretchessufferingtheextremityofhorror，butbecausetheywouldnotbelieveinmiraculousimages，andbonesofdeadfriars，andtherestofthatscienceofunreasonandunfact，againstwhichVesaliushadbeenfightingallhislife，consciouslyornot，byusingreasonandobservingfact？Whatwonderif，insomeburstofnobleindignationandjustcontempt，heforgotamomentthathehadsoldhissoul，andhisloveofsciencelikewise，tobealuxurious，yetuneasy，hanger—onatthetyrant’scourt;andspokeunadvisedlysomewordworthyofaGermanman？
　　Astothestoryofhisunhappyquarrelswithhiswife，theremaybeagrainoftruthinitlikewise。Vesalius’sreligionmusthavesatverylightlyonhim。Themanwhohadrobbedchurchyardsandgibbetsfromhisyouthwasnotlikelytobemuchafraidofapparitionsanddemons。Hehadhandledtoomanyhumanbonestocaremuchforthoseofsaints。Hewasprobably，likehisfriendsofBasle，Montpellier，andParis，somewhatofahereticatheart，probablysomewhatofapagan，whilehislady，AnnevanHamme，wasprobablyastrictCatholic，asherfather，beingacouncillorandmasteroftheexchequeratBrussels，wasboundtobe;andfreethinkinginthehusband，crossedbysuperstitioninthewife，mayhavecausedinthemthatwretchedvieepart，thatwantofanytruecommunionofsoul，toocommontothisdayinCatholiccountries。
　　Bethesethingsastheymay——andtheexacttruthofthemwillnowbeneverknown——VesaliussetouttoJerusaleminthespringof1564。
　　OnhiswayhevisitedhisoldfriendsatVenicetoseeabouthisbookagainstFallopius。TheVenetianrepublicreceivedthegreatphilosopherwithopenarms。Fallopiuswasjustdead;andthesenateofferedtheirguestthevacantchairofanatomy。Heacceptedit：
　　butwentontotheEast。
　　Heneveroccupiedthatchair;wreckedupontheIsleofZante，ashewassailingbackfromPalestine，hediedmiserablyoffeverandwant，asthousandsofpilgrimsreturningfromtheHolyLandhaddiedbeforehim。Agoldsmithrecognisedhim;buriedhiminachapeloftheVirgin;andputupoverhimasimplestone，whichremainedtilllateyears;andmayremain，foraughtIknow，evennow。
　　Soperished，intheprimeoflife，"amartyrtohisloveofscience，"toquotethewordsofM。BurggraeveofGhent，hisablebiographerandcommentator，"theprodigiousman，whocreatedascienceatanepochwheneverythingwasstillanobstacletohisprogress;amanwhosewholelifewasalongstruggleofknowledgeagainstignorance，oftruthagainstlies。"
　　Plaudite：Exeat：withRondeletandBuchanan。Andwhensoeverthispoorfoolishworldneedsthreesuchmen，mayGodofHisgreatmercysendthem。
　　PARACELSUS{13}
　　ItoldyouofVesaliusandRondeletasspecimensofthemenwhothreehundredyearsagowerefoundingthephysicalscienceofthepresentday，bypatientinvestigationoffacts。Butsuchanageasthiswouldnaturallyproducemenofaverydifferentstamp，menwhocouldnotimitatetheirpatienceandhumility;whoweretryingforroyalroadstoknowledge，andtothefameandwealthwhichmightbegotoutofknowledge;whomeddledwithvaindreamsabouttheoccultsciences，alchemy，astrology，magic，thecabala，andsoforth，whowerereputedmagicians，courtedandfearedforawhile，andthen，toooften，diedsaddeaths。
　　Suchhadbeen，inthecenturybefore，thefamousDr。Faust——Faustus，whowassaidtohavemadeacompactwithSatan——actuallyoneoftheinventorsofprinting——immortalisedinGoethe’smarvellouspoem。
　　Such，inthefirsthalfofthesixteenthcentury，wasCorneliusAgrippa——adoctorofdivinityandaknight—at—arms;secret—servicediplomatisttotheEmperorMaximilianinAustria;astrologer，thoughunwilling，tohisdaughterMargaret，RegentoftheLowCountries;
　　writerontheoccultsciencesandofthefamous"DeVanitateScientiarum，"andwhatnot？whodiedmiserablyattheageofforty—
　　nine，accusedofmagicbytheDominicanmonksfromwhomhehadrescuedapoorgirl，whotheyweretorturingonachargeofwitchcraft;andbythemhuntedtodeath;nortodeathonly，fortheyspreadthefable——suchasyoumayfindinDelriotheJesuit’s"DisquisitionsonMagic"{14}——thathislittlepetblackdogwasafamiliarspirit，asButlerhasitin"Hudibras"：
　　AgrippakeptaStygianpugI’thegarbandhabitofadog—
　　Thatwashistaste;andthecurReadtoth’occultphilosopher，AndtaughthimsubtlytomaintainAllothersciencesarevain。
　　SuchalsowasJeromeCardan，theItalianscholarandphysician，thefatherofalgebraicscience（youallrecollectCardan’srule，）
　　believerindreams，prognostics，astrology;whodied，too，miserablyenough，inoldage。
　　Cardan’ssadlife，andthatofCorneliusAgrippa，youcan，andoughttoreadforyourselves，intwoadmirablebiographies，asamusingastheyarelearned，byProfessorMorley，oftheLondonUniversity。I
　　havenotchoseneitherofthemasasubjectforthislecture，becauseMr。Morleyhassoexhaustedwhatistobeknownaboutthem，thatIcouldtellyounothingwhichIhadnotstolenfromhim。
　　ButwhatshallIsayofthemostfamousofthesemen——Paracelsus？
　　whosenameyousurelyknow。Hetoohasbeenimmortalisedinapoemwhichyoualloughttohaveread，oneofRobertBrowning’searliestandoneofhisbestcreations。
　　IthinkwemustacceptastrueMr。Browning’sinterpretationofParacelsus’scharacter。Wemustbelievethathewasatfirstanhonestandhigh—minded，ashewascertainlyamostgifted，man;thathewentforthintotheworld，withanintensesenseoftheworthlessnessoftheshamknowledgeofthepedantsandquacksoftheschools;anintensebeliefthatsomehigherandtruersciencemightbediscovered，bywhichdiseasesmightbeactuallycured，andhealth，longlife，happiness，allbutimmortality，beconferredonman;anintensebeliefthathe，Paracelsus，wascalledandchosenbyGodtofindoutthatgreatmystery，andbeabenefactortoallfutureages。Thatfixedideamightdegenerate——did，alas！
　　degenerate——intowildself—conceit，rashcontemptoftheancients，violentabuseofhisopponents。ButtherewasmorethanthisinParacelsus。Hehadoneideatowhich，ifhehadkepttrue，hislifewouldhavebeenahappierone——thefirmbeliefthatallpuresciencewasarevelationfromGod;thatitwasnottobeobtainedatsecondorthirdhand，byblindlyadheringtothewordsofGalenorHippocratesorAristotle，andputtingthem（asthescholasticphilosophersroundhimdid）intheplaceofGod：butbygoingstraighttonatureatfirsthand，andlisteningtowhatBaconcalls"thevoiceofGodrevealedinfacts。"Trueandnobleisthepassagewithwhichhebeginshis"LabyrinthusMedicorum，"oneofhisattacksonthefalsescienceofhisday，"Thefirstandhighestbookofallhealing，"hesays，"iscalledwisdom，andwithoutthatbooknomanwillcarryoutanythinggoodoruseful……AndthatbookisGodHimself。ForinHimalonewhohathcreatedallthings，theknowledgeandprincipleofallthingsdwells……withoutHimallisfolly。Asthesunshinesonusfromabove，soHemustpourintousfromaboveallartswhatsoever。
　　Thereforetherootofalllearningandcognitionis，thatweshouldseekfirstthekingdomofGod——thekingdomofGodinwhichallsciencesarefounded……IfanymanthinkthatnatureisnotfoundedonthekingdomofGod，heknowsnothingaboutit。Allgifts，"herepeatsagainandagain，confusedandclumsily（asishiswont），butwithatrueearnestness，"arefromGod。"
　　Thetruemanofscience，withParacelsus，ishewhoseeksfirstthekingdomofGodinfacts，investigatingnaturereverently，patiently，infaithbelievingthatGod，whounderstandsHisownworkbest，willmakehimunderstanditlikewise。Thefalsemanofscienceishewhoseeksthekingdomofthisworld，whocaresnothingabouttherealinterpretationoffacts：butiscontentwithsuchaninterpretationaswillearnhimthegoodthingsofthisworld——theredhatandgown，theamblingmule，thesilkclothes，thepartridges，capons，andpheasants，thegoldflorinschinkinginhispalm。AtsuchpretendersParacelsussneered，atlastonlytoofiercely，notonlyasmenwhoseknowledgeconsistedchieflyinwearingwhitegloves，butasrogues，liars，villains，andeveryepithetwhichhisveryracyvocabulary，quickened（itistobefeared）bywineandlaudanum，couldsuggest。Withthesehecontraststhetruemenofscience。Itisdifficultforusnowtounderstandhowamansettingoutinlifewithsuchpureandnobleviewsshoulddescendatlast（ifindeedhediddescend）tobeaquackandaconjuror——anddieundertheimputationthatBombasteskeptadevil’sbirdHidinthepommelofhissword，andhave，indeed，hisveryname，Bombast，usedtothisdayasasynonymofloud，violent，andemptytalk。Tounderstanditatall，wemustgobackandthinkalittleoverthesesameoccultscienceswhichwerebelievedinbythousandsduringthefifteenthandsixteenthcenturies。
　　Thereverenceforclassicantiquity，youmustunderstand，whichsprangupattherenaissanceinthefifteenthcentury，wasasindiscriminatingasitwasearnest。Mencaughtthetrashaswellasthejewels。TheyputthedreamsoftheNeoplatonists，Iamblicus，Porphyry，orPlotinus，orProclus，onthesamelevelasthesounddialecticphilosophyofPlatohimself。AndtheseNeoplatonistswereall，moreorless，believersinmagic——Theurgy，asitwascalled——inthepowerofcharmsandspells，intheoccultvirtuesofherbsandgems，inthepowerofadeptstoevokeandcommandspirits，inthesignificanceofdreams，intheinfluenceofthestarsuponmen’scharactersanddestinies。IfthegreatandwisephilosopherIamblicusbelievedsuchthings，whymightnotthemenofthesixteenthcentury？
　　AndsogrewupagaininEuropeapassionforwhatwerecalledtheOccultsciences。IthadalwaysbeenhauntingtheEuropeanimagination。MediaevalmonkshadlongagotransformedthepoetVirgilintoagreatnecromancer。Andtherewereimmenseexcusesforsuchabelief。Therewasamassofcollateralevidencethattheoccultsciencesweretrue，whichitwasimpossiblethentoresist。
　　Racesfarmoreancient，learned，civilised，thananyFrenchman，German，Englishman，orevenItalian，inthefifteenthcenturyhadbelievedinthesethings。TheMoors，thebestphysiciansoftheMiddleAges，hadtheirheadsfull，asthe"ArabianNights"prove，ofenchanters，genii，peris，andwhatnot？TheJewishrabbishadtheirCabala，whichsprangupinAlexandria，asystemofphilosophyfoundedonthemysticmeaningofthewordsandtheactuallettersofthetextofScripture，whichsomesaidwasgivenbytheangelRagieltoAdaminParadise，bywhichAdamtalkedwithangels，thesunandmoon，summonedspirits，interpreteddreams，healedanddestroyed;
　　andbythatbookofRagiel，asitwascalled，Solomonbecamethegreatmagicianandmasterofallthespiritsandtheirhoardedtreasures。
　　Sostrong，indeed，wasthebeliefinthemysteriesoftheCabala，thatReuchlin，therestorerofHebrewlearninginGermany，andPicodiMirandola，thegreatestofItaliansavants，acceptedthem;andnotonlyPopeLeoX。himself，butevenstatesmenandwarriorsreceivedwithdelightReuchlin’scabalistictreatise，"DeVerboMirifico，"onthemysticword"Schemhamphorash"——thathiddennameofGod，whichwhosoevercanpronouncearightis，forthemoment，lordofnatureandofalldaemons。
　　Amulets，too，andtalismans;thefaithinthemwasexceedingancient。Solomonhadhisseal，bywhichhecommandedalldaemons;
　　andthereisawholeliteratureofcuriousnonsense，whichyoumayreadifyouwill，abouttheAbraxasandothertalismansoftheGnosticsinSyria;andanother，ofthesecretvirtueswhichweresupposedtoresideingems：especiallyintheoldRomanandGreekgems，carvedintointaglioswithfiguresofheathengodsandgoddesses。Lapidaria，orlistsofthesegemsandtheirmagicalvirtues，werenotuncommonintheMiddleAges。YoumayreadagreatdealthatisinterestingaboutthemattheendofMr。King’sbookongems。
　　Astrologytoo;thoughPicodiMirandolamightsethimselfagainsttherestoftheworld，fewwerefounddaringenoughtodenysoancientascience。LutherandMelancthonmerelyfollowedtheregulartraditionofpublicopinionwhentheyadmitteditstruth。
　　ItsprangprobablyfromtheworshipoftheSevenPlanetsbytheoldChaldees。ItwasbroughtbackfromBabylonbytheJewsaftertheCaptivity，andspreadoverallEurope——perhapsallAsialikewise。
　　Therichandmightyoftheearthmustneedshavetheirnativitiescast，andconsultthestars;andCorneliusAgrippagavemortaloffencetotheQueen—DowagerofFrance（motherofFrancisI。）
　　because，whenshecompelledhimtoconsultthestarsaboutFrancis’schanceofgettingoutofhiscaptivityinSpainafterthebattleofPavia，hewroteandspokehismindhonestlyaboutsuchnonsense。
　　EvenNewtonseemstohavehankeredafteritwhenyoung。AmonghisMSS。inLordPortsmouth’slibraryatHurstbournearewholefoliosofastrologiccalculations。Itwentontilltheendoftheseventeenthcentury，anddiedoutonlywhenmenhadbeguntotestit，andallotheroccultsciences，byexperience，andinductionfoundedthereon。
　　Countlessstudentsbusiedthemselvesoverthetransmutationofmetals。Asformagic，necromancy，pyromancy，geomancy，coscinomancy，andalltheothermancies——therewasthenawholeliteratureaboutthem。Andthewitch—burninginquisitorslikeSprenger，Bodin，Delrio，andtherest，believedasfirmlyinthemagicpowersofthepoorwretcheswhomtheytorturedtodeath，asdid，inmanycases，thepoorwretchesthemselves。