Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-02-19
From the National L.teMgencey.


We have had among us, for some
DAYS past, Zsra Colburn, the child so
disii' guished for his arithmetica, ore
MUS, OF whom the public prints have
already taken some notice. Tnis no.
tice is, however, altogether insufficient
to give am adequate impression of his
extraordinary powers. He is unques
tionably one of those prodigies ,ha,
are only the production of an age.
He is now about 6 wears and hall
old. He was born in Vermont, aud
until very lately received no aiyan,
tage from education; and, even now.
Is scarcely more shan acquainted with
his letters, and can neither read nor
cyphsr. Yet, such is the astonishiuc
rapi'iity and accuracy with which he
combines numbers, adding, subtract
ing, multiplying or dividing them.
without theleast use of pen or paper.
that most of the questions put 20 him
are answered without hesitation. -
Wien the questions are involved he
takes longer time, but in no instance
occupies as much time az would be
required by skiliul arith me iciac
with the use of pen, ink and paper.
He gives no indications Of the process
ses by which he almost in,ui,iyeIy
reaches the most difficult results. al.
though 1t is most evident that his
powers oil mind are actively engaged.
As In the disclosure and cultivation
OF such powers the whole community
are terested, We regretted exceed
lngiy the avowed purpose of his ia
tneT to make public and indiscrim;
Gaze spectacle of him for money. thus
exposing his mind IS we'll as morals
rePrable injury, instead of acce-
d ng TO propositions calculated to graf.
ify the most solieisous parental fe /
logs, by giving his son the b. st oppor.
snui'ies tor education, at the same time
that they involved liberal donation
TO the father. We alludc particular
ly TO the offer of few gentlemen in.
Bosom one of whom was MIR Quinc,
TO give the father 2 800 dollars, and TO
raise the additional sum of 2 500 dol
lars for the education of the son az a
respectable seminary, provided his ed
ucatlon should be under the guardian
ship OF i've citizens of b ston. who
were designated. Under their direc !
ton the cnild was 20 be taken TO the
private houses of the respectable cisi-
zens OF that place, and any sums re
ceived beyond the specified amount
were to be exclusively applied to his
education add establishment in lif-.
beeide this offer, several gentlemen
IN this city have honorable EXPRESSED
their readiness TO bear the expences OIL
his education, provided his father
would give up his control over him.
Such an ole has. we learn, b en- Sc
Parately made by Mr. Randolph and
MIR M. Clay of the House OF Repre-.
sentatives, aud like offer was, it is
said, previously made by Mr. Neef,
the celebrate pupil Of Pes,alozzi.
The father who is a poor man GER
isiniy should not have he itated mo- |
mert to accept one on the other oil
csc propositions. Fer time, how !
sver, they were resisted. We are
low, rom some circumstances tha.
have come to our knowledge, inclined
% hope thai the FIRST proposition will |
% accepted. At any rate we are de-
:idediy Of opinion, that as far as pub
sentiment can influence the ultimate
decision OF the father, il should unite
o eousti aiming hin to act in such a
Manner as to afford t. this extraordi-
'ary child every opportunity that ed
leeilou and liberal association can fur.