been
sometimes irritable, and even obstinate. This failing, however, if he
did possess it, was not exhibited towards his pupils or his scientific
friends, who ever entertained for him the warmest affection and esteem.
Some of his pupils had remained in his house more than twenty years;
and in the quarrel which arose between him and Kepler,[42] and which is
allowed to have originated entirely in the temper of the latter, he
conducted himself with the greatest patience and forbearance. There is
reason to think that the irritability with which he has been charged was
less an affection of his mind than the effect of that noble independence
of character which belonged to him, and that it has been inferred
chiefly from his conduct to some of those high personages with whom he
was brought in contact. When Walchendorp, the President of the Council,
kicked his favourite hound, it was no proof of irritability of character
that Tycho expressed in strong terms his disapprobation of the deed.

[42] See the Life of Kepler.

It was, doubtless, a greater weakness in his character that he indulged
his turn for satire, without being able to bear retaliation. His jocular
habits, too, sometimes led him into disagreeable positions. When the
Duke of Brunswick was dining with him at Uraniburg, the Duke said,
towards the end of the dinner, that, as it was late, he must be going.
Tycho jocularly remarked that this could not be done without his
permission; upon which the Duke rose and left the party, without taking
leave of his host. Tycho became indignant in his turn, and continued to
sit at table; but, as if repenting of what he had done, he followed the
Duke, who was on his way to the ship, and, calling upon him, displayed
the cup in his hand, as if he had washed out his offence by a draught of
wine.

Tycho was a man of true piety, and cherished the deepest veneration for
the Sacred Scriptures, and for the great truths which they reveal. Their
principles regulated his conduct, and their promises animated his hopes.
His familiarity with the wonders of the heavens increased, instead of
diminishing, his admiration of Divine wisdom, and his daily conversation
was elevated by a constant reference to a superintending Providence.

As a practical astronomer, Tycho has not been surpassed by any observer
of ancient or of modern times. The splendour and number of his
instruments, the ingenuity which he exhibited in inventing new ones and
in imp