Kepler (15 page)

But upon what are based these categories, lovely amp; unlovely, strong amp; weak, et cetera? Why, upon the division of circles made by the knowable, that is constructable, regular polygons, as for instance is set out in my
Mysterium cosmographicum;
that is, the harmonic primordial relationships foreshadowed in the divine being. Thus all animated things, human amp; otherwise, as well as all the vegetable world, are influenced from heaven by the appropriate geometric instinct pertaining to them. All their activities are affected, individually shaped amp; guided by the light rays present here below and sensed by all these objects, as well as by the geometry amp; harmony which occurs between them by virtue of their motion, in the same way as the flock is affected by the voice of the shepherd, the horses on a wagon by the driver's shout, and the dance of the peasant by the skirl of the bagpipes.
This
is what I believe, and none of your monkey-shine will convince me otherwise.

I trust this frank German talk has not offended you, my dear Röslin. You live in my affections always, though sometimes I may snap amp; snarl, as if the habit of your friend and colleague, Johannes Kepler

Cramer Buildings Prague September 1609

Frau Katharina amp; Heinrich Kepler: at Weilderstadt

(To be read in their presence by G. Raspe, notary. Fee enclosed.)

Loved ones: I write to say that we have arrived home safely amp; well. Friedrich has a cough, but otherwise remains strong. Preparations for our dear Regina 's wedding are already well advanced: she is wonderfully capable in matters such as these. Her intended husband is a fine amp; honourable man, and well set up. He came this week to pay us his respects. Of course, he has been here before, but not as a betrothed. I find him somewhat formal, and wonder if he may not prove inflexible. Everything was most polite. I have no doubt that Regina will be well treated by him, and will be happy, perhaps. They move to Pfaf-fenhofen in the Upper Palatinate after the wedding. There is talk of plague there.

We are still in our rooms in the old Cramer Buildings, and I think must remain here for the present. The quarters are satisfactory, for we are on the bridge, and so have the benefit of the river. The building is of stone, therefore there is less danger of fires breaking out, a thing I have always feared, as you know. Also we are situated in a good part of the city. At Wenzel College in the Old Town, where we lived before, things were very different: the streets there are bad, ill-paved and always strewn with every kind of filth, the houses are bad, roofed with straw or wattles, and there is a stink that would drive back the Turk. Our landlord here, though, is an unmannerly ruffian, and I have many differences with him, which upsets my digestion. Barbara tells me not to mind him. Why is it, I wonder, that people behave so badly toward each other? What is to be gained by fretting amp; fighting? I think there are some in the world who must sustain themselves by making their fellow men suffer. This is as true for the landlord who hounds his tenants, as it is for the infidel torturing his slaves to death: only the degree of evil differs, not the quality. These are the things I think about, when my duties at court and my scientific studies allow me time to think at all. Not that I do much scientific work now, for my health is not good, with frequent fevers and an inflammation of the bowel, and my mind for the most part prostrate in a pitiful frost. But I do not complain. God is good.

We move in the midst of a distinguished society here in Prague. The Imperial Counsellor and First Secretary, Johann Polz, is very fond of me. His wife amp; his whole family are conspicuous for their Austrian elegance and their distinguished amp; noble manners. It would be due to their influence, if on some future day I were to make progress in this respect, though, of course, I am still far away from it (there is a difference between being a renowned mathematician and being great in society!). Yet notwithstanding the shabbiness of my household and my low rank, I am free to come amp; go in the Polz house as I please – and they are considered to belong to the nobility! I have other connections. The wives of two imperial guards acted as godmothers at Susanna's baptism. Stefan Schmid, the Imperial Treasurer; Matthäus Wackher, the Court Barrister; and His Excellency Joseph Hettler, the Baden Ambassador, all stood for our Friedrich. And at the ceremonies for little Ludwig, the Counts Palatine Philip Ludwig amp; his son Wolfgang Wilhelm von Pfalz-Neuburg were present. So you see, we are beginning to rise in the great world! All the same, I do not forget my own people. I think of you often, and worry for your well-being. You must take care of each other, and be kind. Mother, think on my warnings when last we spoke. Heinrich, cherish your mother. And in your prayers remember

your son amp; brother, Johann

(Herr Raspe, for your eyes only: watch Frau Kepler's doings, as I requested, and keep me informed. I shall pay you for these services.)

Aedes Cramerianis

Prague

March 1610

Signor Prof. Giorgio Antonio Magini: at Bologna

It is as if one had woken up to find two suns in the sky. That is only, of course, a way of putting it. Two suns would be a miracle, or magic, whereas
this
has been wrought by human eye and mind. It seems to me that there are times when, suddenly, after centuries of stagnation, things begin to flow all together as it were with astonishing swiftness, when from all sides streams spring up and join their courses, and this great confluence rushes on like a mighty river, carrying upon its flood all the broken amp; pathetic wreckage of our misconceptions. Thus, it is not a twelvemonth since I published my
Astronomia nova,
changing beyond recognition our notion of celestial workings: and now comes this news from Padua! Doubtless you in Italy are already familiar with it, and I know that even the most amazing things can come to seem commonplace in only a little time; for us, however, it is still new amp; wonderful amp; somewhat frightening.

Word was brought to me first by my friend Matthäus Wackher, Court Barrister amp; Privy Counsellor to His Majesty, who had it from the Tuscan Ambassador lately arrived here. Whackher came to see me at once. The day was bright and blustery, with a promise of spring, I will remember it always, as one remembers only a handful of days out of a lifetime. I saw, from the window of my study, the Counsellor's carriage come clattering over the bridge, and old Wackher with his head stuck out at the window, urging the driver on. Does excitement such as his that day send out before it palpable emanations? For even as I watched him coming, I felt nervous stirrings within me, though I knew nothing of what he had to tell me. I ran down and met the carriage arriving at my door. Herr Wackher was already babbling at me before I could grasp it. Galileus of Padua had turned upon the night sky a two-lensed
perspicillum
-a common Dutch spyglass, in fact-and by means of its 30-times magnification,
had discovered four new planets.

I experienced a wonderful emotion while I listened to this curious tale. I felt moved in my deepest being. Wackher was full of joy amp; feverish excitement. At one moment we both laughed in our confusion, the next he continued his narrative and I listened intently-there was no end to it. We clasped hands and danced together, and Wackher's little dog, which he had brought with him, ran about in circles barking shrilly, until, overcome by our hilarity and quite beside itself, it jumped up and clasped me amorously about the leg, as dogs will, licking its lips and insanely grinning, which made us laugh the harder. Then we went inside and sat down, calmer now, over a jug of ale.

Is the report true? And if so, of what type are these newly discovered heavenly bodies? Are they companions of fixed stars, or do they belong to our solar system? Herr Wackher, though a Catholic, holds to the view of the misfortunate Bruno, that the stars are suns, infinite in number, which fill the infinite space, and Galileo's discovery, he believes, is proof of it, the four new bodies being companions of fixed stars: in other words, that it is another solar system that the Paduan has found. To me, however, as you know, an infinite universe is unthinkable. Also I consider it impossible that these are planets circling our sun, since the geometry of the world set forth in my
Mysterium
will allow of five planets in the solar system, and no more. Therefore I believe that what Galileo has seen are
moons circling other planets,
as our moon circles the earth. This is the only feasible explanation.

Perhaps you, closer to the scene of these discoveries, already have heard the correct explanation-perhaps even you have witnessed the new phenomena! Ah, to be in Italy. The Tuscan envoy, de Medici, who gave this news to Wackher, has presented to the Emperor a copy of Galileo's book. I hope soon to get my hands on it. Then we shall see!

Write, tell me all the news! Kepler

Prague
April 1610

George Fugger,
legatus imperatorius:
at Venice

Lest silence amp; delay should make you believe that I agree with all you have to say in your latest letter, and since your position is peculiarly relevant in these matters, Galileo being in the employ of the Venetian Republic, I thought it prudent to interrupt my present studies and write to you straightway. Believe me, my dear Sir, I am deeply touched by your remarks regarding the claims to pre-eminence as between the Paduan amp; myself. However, I am not running a foot-race with him, that I should want for cheering amp; partisan broadcasting. Certainly, it is true what you say, that he urgently requires in these discoveries amp; claims of his the blessing of the Imperial Mathematician; and perhaps indeed this is, as you maintain, the only reason he has approached me. But why not? Some dozen years ago, before I was famous, and my
Mysterium
had just been published, it was
I
approaching
him.
True, he did not at that time make any great effort on my behalf. Perhaps he was too much taken up with his own work, perhaps he did not think much of my little book. Yes, I know his reputation for arrogance amp; ingratitude: what of it? Science, Sir, is not like diplomacy, does not progress by nods amp; winks amp; well-wrought compliments. It has always been my habit to praise what, in my opinion, others have done well. Never do I scorn other people's work because ofjealousy, never do I belittle others' knowledge when I lack it myself. Likewise I never forget myself when I have done something better, or discovered something sooner. Certainly, I had hoped for much from Galileo when my
Astronomia nova
appeared, but the fact that I received nothing will not prevent me now from taking up my pen so that he should be armed against the sour-tempered critics of everything new, who consider unbelievable that which is unknown to them, and regard as terrible wickedness whatever lies beyond the customary bounds of Aristotelian philosophy. I have no wish to
pull out his feathers,
as you put it, but only to acknowledge what is of value, and question that which is doubtful.

No one, Excellency, should allow himself to be misled by the brevity amp; apparent simplicity of Galileo's little book. The
Sidereus nuncius
is highly significant amp; admirable, as even a glance through its pages will show. It is true that not everything in it is wholly original, as he claims-the Emperor himself has already turned a spyglass upon the moon! Also, others have surmised, even if they have not provided proof, that the Milky Way would, on closer inspection, dissolve into a mass of innumerable stars gathered together in clusters. Even the existence of planetary satellites (for this is, I believe, what his
four new planets
are, in fact) is not so amazing, for does not the moon circle the earth, and hence why should not the other planets have their moons? But there is a great difference between speculating on the existence of a myriad of invisible stars, and noting their positions on a map; between peering vacantly through a lens at the moon, and announcing that it is composed not of the
quinta essentia
of the schoolmen, but of matter much like that of the earth. Copernicus was not the first to hold that the sun sits at the centre of the world, but he
was
the first to build around that concept a system which would hold good mathematically, thus putting an end to the Ptolemaic age. Likewise Galileo, in this pamphlet, has set down clearly amp; calmly (and with a calm precision from which, I ruefully admit, I could learn much!) a vision of the world which will deliver such a blow to the belly of the Aristotelians that I think they will be winded for a long time to come.

The
Sidereus nuncius
is much talked about at court, as by now I suppose it is everywhere. (Would that the
Astronomia nova
had attracted such attention!) The Emperor graciously let me glance through his copy, but otherwise I had to contain myself as best I could until a week ago, when Galileo himself sent me the book, along with a request for my opinion on it, which I suppose he wishes to publish. The courier returns to Italy on the 19th, which leaves me just four days in which to complete my reply. Therefore I must close now, in the hope that you will forgive my haste-and also that you will not take amiss my response above to your touching amp; much appreciated gestures of support for me. In these matters of science, it is a question, you see, not of the individual, but of the work. I do not like Galileo, but I must admire him.

By the way, I wonder, during your recent time in Rome, did you see or hear anything of Tycho's dwarf, and his companion, the one called Felix? I would have news of them, if you know any.

I am, Sir, your servant, Johannes Kepler

Aedes Cramerianis

Prague

March 1611

Dr Johannes Brengger: at Kaufbeuren

Everything darkens, and we fear the worst. In the little world of our house, a great tragedy has befallen, which, in the morbid confusion of our grief, we cannot help but believe is in some way connected with the terrible events in the wider world. I think there are times when God grows weary, and then the Devil, seizing his chance, comes flying down upon us with all his fury amp; cruel mischievousness, wreaking havoc high amp; low. How far away now, my dear Doctor, seem those happier days when we corresponded with such enthusiasm amp; delight on the matter of our newborn science of optics! Thank you for your latest letter, but I fear I am unable at present to engage the interesting questions which you pose-another time, perhaps, I shall turn my mind upon them, and reply with the vigour they demand. I have not the heart for work now. Also much of my time is consumed by duties at court. The Emperor's eccentricities have come to seem more amp; more like plain insanity. He immures himself in the palace, hiding from the sight of his loathed fellow men, while in the meantime his realm falls asunder. Already his brother Matthias has dispossessed him of Austria, Hungary amp; Moravia, and is even now preparing to take over what is left. Throughout last summer and into the autumn, a congress of princes was held here in the city, which urged reconciliation between the brothers. Rudolph, however, despite his whimsy amp; his peculiarities, displays an iron stubbornness. Thinking to curb both Matthias amp; the princes, and also perhaps to set aside the religious freedoms wrested from him in the Royal Charter by the Lutheran Representatives here, he plotted with his kinsman Leopold, Bishop of Passau amp; brother to the poisonous Archduke Ferdinand of Styria, my old enemy. Leopold, of course, as vile amp; treacherous as the rest of his family, turned his army against us here, and has occupied part of the city. Bohemian troops massed against him, and frightful excesses by both sides are reported. Matthias, it is said, is now on his way here with an Austrian army, at the request of the Representatives-and of Rudolph himself! There can be only one result of all this, that the Emperor will lose his throne, and so I have begun to look elsewhere for a refuge. Certain influential people have urged me to come to Linz. For my own part, I cannot help but look with longing toward my native Swabia. I have sent a petition to the Duke of Württemberg, my sometime patron, but I have scant faith in him. Hard it is to know that one is not wanted in one's homeland! Also I have been offered Galileo's old chair at Padua, following his departure for Rome. Galileo has himself recommended me. The irony of this does not escape me. Italy -I do not relish the thought. Linz would seem, therefore, the most promising prospect. It is a narrow amp; provincial town, but there are people there whom I know, as well as a special friend. My wife would be happy to leave Prague, which she has never liked, and return to her native Austria. She has been most ill, with Hungarian fever amp; epilepsy. She bore these afflictions with fortitude, and all might have been well with her, had not our three children shortly thereafter been seized with the smallpox. The eldest one and the youngest survived, but Friedrich, our darling son, succumbed. He was six. It was a hard death. He was a fair child, a hyacinth of the morning in the first days of spring, our hope, our joy. I confess, Doctor, I fail sometimes to understand the ways of God. Even as the boy lay on his death bed, we could hear from across the city the noise of battle. How may I adequately express to you my feelings? Grief such as this is like nothing else in the world. I must close now.