I shall not here enter into a lengthy examination of the various prognostications and more or less wild speculations to which the new star gave rise in 1572. As remarked by Tycho, the usual methods of astrology were of no avail in this exceptional case, and there is therefore little to be gained even to the student of the history of astrology (a subject of considerable interest) by an examination of the literature on the star. I shall only point out a few curious particulars. That the star portended great events, possibly of an evil character, seemed evident to most writers, and the star of Bethlehem was frequently referred to as a phenomenon of a similar nature. As the star seen by the wise men foretold the birth of Christ, the new one was generally supposed to announce His last coming and the end of the world. This was already suggested by Wilhelm IV. in his above-mentioned letter to Peucer, and among others who declared their belief in this idea was the successor of Calvin at Geneva, Theodore Beza, who announced it in a short Latin poem.[1] He even says that it is the very same star which was seen by the Magi; but, as Tycho remarks, perhaps that was only said "poetica quadam festivitate." Gemma, in his book on the comet of 1577, points out the great disturbances which followed the star seen by Hipparchus, and expects similar ones to occur now; Tycho justly remarks that it looks as if Gemma had copied all this from his own little book.[2] Catholic authors naturally thought that the star foretold the victory of their Church; among these is Theodore Graminæus, Professor of Mathe-
- ↑ Published in the above-mentioned reprint "De Nova Stella Judicia Dvorum Præstantium Mathematicorum, D. Cypriani Leovitii et D. Cornelii Gemmæ," 1573, s.l.; perhaps also elsewhere. Reprinted by Tycho, Progymn., p. 327.
- ↑ "De Prodigiosa Specie Naturaque Cometæ . . . 1577. Per D. Cornelium Gemmam, Antwerp, 1578," 8vo, p. 42 (compare Progymnasmata, p. 565). There is a curious picture in this book of Belgica weeping amidst the burning ruins of a city, while the paternal government of Philip II. is represented by gibbets and wheels in the background, and the comet is blazing overhead.
