None of these fishponds are seen on Braun's map, and they would therefore seem to have been constructed after 1585, as the map bears the date 1586. Thus Tycho contrived to add to the comfort and convenience of his surroundings.
In addition to these means of recreation, Tycho Brahe possessed others of a higher kind. In 1584, the same year in which the Stjerneborg was built, he put up a printing-press in the building at the south angle of the enclosure surrounding Uraniborg. It was originally intended for the printing of his own works, but when not required for this purpose he occasionally employed it to print poems in memory of departed friends, and similar poetical effusions. Thus we have already mentioned that in 1584 he printed an epitaph of his friend Pratensis,[1] and in the same year he printed a poem addressed to a Danish nobleman, Jacob Ulfeld, to give the printer something to do, as he informs us.[2] Of greater interest is a longer poem of 288 lines, dated the 1st January 1585, and addressed to the Chancellor, Niels Kaas.[3] In this Tycho complains of the neglected state of astronomy in most countries, and contrasts this with its present flourishing state in Denmark, where buildings have been erected and instruments constructed such as the world never saw. But envy and malice attempt to speak slightingly of this great work, and he might almost be inclined to regret having undertaken it and look for another home elsewhere,[4] if he
- ↑ A poem in memory of another friend, Joh. Francisci Ripensis, given in Gassendi's book, p. 261, was possibly also printed at Uraniborg.
- ↑ Printed in Danske Magazin, ii. pp. 223-224 (Weistritz, ii. p. 130 et seq.).
- ↑ Printed ibid., pp. 226-234 (Weistritz, ii. 135 et seq.).
- ↑ "Undique Terra infra, cœlum patet undique supra,
Omne solum patria est, cui mea sacra placent."The first of these lines and part of the second occur in Astr. Instauratæ Mechania, fol. D., where he mentions that one of his armillæ could be taken asunder and transported to any place where it might be wanted. It is remarkable how strongly imbued he always was with the cosmopolitan character of his science, even when Fortune smiled most on him.
