leaving behind him his wife and daughter, till he should fix upon a
place of permanent residence. The first town which he visited was
Hesse-Cassel, the residence of William, Landgrave of Hesse, whose
patronage of astronomy, and whose skill in making celestial
observations, have immortalized his name. Here Tycho spent eight or ten
delightful days, during which the two astronomers were occupied one half
of the day in scientific conversation, and the other half in
astronomical observations; and he would have prolonged a visit which
gave him so much pleasure, had not the death of one of the Landgrave's
daughters interrupted their labours. Passing through Frankfort, Tycho
went into Switzerland; and, after visiting many cities on his way, he
fixed upon Basle as a place of residence, not only from its centrical
position, but from the salubrity of the air, and the cheapness of
living. From Switzerland he went to Venice, and, in returning through
Germany, he came to Ratisbon, at the time of the congress, which had
been called together on the 1st of November, for the coronation of the
Emperor Rudolph. On this occasion he met with several distinguished
individuals, who were not only skilled in astronomy, but who were among
its warmest patrons. From Ratisbon he passed to Saalfeld, and thence to
Wittemburg, where he saw the parallactic instruments and the wooden
quadrant which had been used by John Pratensis in determining the
latitude of the city, and in measuring the altitudes of the new star.

Tycho was now impatient for home, and he lost no time in returning to
Denmark, where events were awaiting him which frustrated all his
schemes, by placing him in the most favourable situation for promoting
his own happiness, and advancing the interests of astronomy.

CHAPTER II.

_Frederick II. patronises Tycho--And resolves to establish him in
Denmark--Grants him the Island of Huen for Life--And Builds the
splendid Observatory of Uraniburg--Description of the Island, and
of the Observatory--Account of its Astronomical Instruments--Tycho
begins his Observations--His Pupils--Tycho is made Canon of
Rothschild, and receives a large Pension--His Hospitality to his
Visitors--Ingratitude of Witichius--Tycho sends an Assistant to
take the Latitude of Frauenburg and Konigsberg--Is visited by
Ulric, Duke of Mecklenburg--Change in Tycho's fortunes._

The patronage which had been extended to as