he year 1590, when the Scottish King repaired
to Denmark to celebrate his marriage with the Princess Anne, the King's
sister, he paid a visit to Tycho, attended by his councillors and a
large suite of nobility. During the eight days which he spent at
Uraniburg, James carried on long discussions with Tycho on various
subjects, but chiefly on the motion which Copernicus had ascribed to the
earth. He examined narrowly all the astronomical instruments, and made
himself acquainted with the principles of their construction and the
method of using them. He inspected the busts and pictures in the museum,
and when he perceived the portrait of George Buchanan, his own
preceptor, he could not refrain from the strongest expressions of
delight. Upon quitting the hospitable roof of Tycho, James not only
presented him with a magnificent donation, but afterwards gave him his
royal license to publish his works in England during seventy years. This
license was accompanied with the following high eulogium on his
abilities and learning:--"Nor have I become acquainted with these things
only from the relation of others, or from a bare inspection of your
works, but I have seen then before my own eyes, and have heard them with
my own ears, in your residence at Uraniburg, and have drawn them from
the various learned and agreeable conversations which I there held with
you, and which even now affect my mind to such a degree, that it is
difficult to determine whether I recollect them with greater pleasure or
admiration; as I now willingly testify, by this license, to present and
to future generations," &c.

At the request of Tycho, the King also composed and wrote in his own
hand some Latin verses, which were more complimentary than classical.
His Chancellor had also composed some verses of a similar character
during his visit to Tycho. A short specimen of these will be deemed
sufficient by the classical reader:--

"Vidit et obstupuit Rex Huennum Scoticus almam;
Miratus clari tot monumenta viri."

In the year 1591, when Christian IV. had reached his 14th year, he
expressed a desire to pay a visit to Uraniburg. He accordingly set out
with a large party, consisting of his three principal senators, and
other councillors and noblemen; and having examined the various
instruments in the observatories and laboratory, he proposed to Tycho
various questions on mechanics and mathematics, but particularly on the
principles of fortification and shi