painful disease, which had, doubtless, its origin in the severity and
continuity of his studies. On the 13th October, when he was supping at
the house of a nobleman called Rosenberg, he was seized with a retention
of urine, which forced him to leave the party.

This attack continued with little intermission for more than a week,
and, during this period, he suffered great pain, attended with want of
sleep and temporary delirium, during which, he frequently exclaimed, _Ne
frustra vixisse videor_. On the 24th he recovered from this painful
situation, and became perfectly tranquil. His strength, however, was
gone, and he saw that he had not many hours to live. He expressed an
anxious wish that his labours would redound to the glory of his Maker,
to whom he offered up the most ardent prayers. He enjoined his sons and
his son-in-law not to allow them to be lost. He encouraged his pupils
not to abandon their pursuits, he requested Kepler to complete the
Rudolphine Tables, and to his family he recommended piety and
resignation to the Divine will. Among those who never quitted Tycho in
his illness, was Erick Brahe, Count Wittehorn, a Swede, and a relation
of his own, and Counsellor to the King of Poland. This amiable
individual never left the bedside of his friend, and administered to him
all those attentions which his situation required. Tycho, turning to
him, thanked him for his affectionate kindness, and requested him to
maintain the relationship with his family. He then expired without pain,
amid the consolations, the prayers, and the tears of his friends. This
event took place on the 24th of October 1601, when he was only
fifty-four years and ten months old.

The Emperor Rudolph evinced the greatest sorrow when he was informed of
the death of his friend, and he gave orders that he should be buried in
the most honourable manner, in the principal church of the ancient
city.[41] The funeral took place on the 4th November, and he was
interred in the dress of a nobleman, and with the ceremonies of his
order. The funeral oration was pronounced by Jessenius, before a
distinguished assemblage, and many elegies were written on his death.

[41] The church of Tiers, where a monument has been erected to his
memory.

Tycho was a little above the middle size, and in the last years of his
life he was slightly corpulent. He had reddish yellow hair and a ruddy
complexion. He was of a sanguine temperament, and is said to have