Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-09-29


The Library Of Useful knowledge
gives a very interesting account Of
SrRousoS, the astronomer, who, orr.
gnally = tender Of shesp. and Of weak
body, spent his nights like the Chai-
desns. IN studying the heavens.
When . little elder, he went into
The service Of farmer, and q respect
nbls msn, called James Glashan, " hsse
manu- deserves to be remembered. Az
ter the labours VI the day, young Fer
guson used 20 20 at night TO the fields.
with q blanket and lighted candle. and
sbere lsyisg himself down on his ba OK.
pursued tor long hours his observations
% the heavenly bodies. Il used TO
stretch, said he, "a thread with small
beads on IL, at arms length, between
my eyes and the stars; sliding the
beads upon il, till they hid such and
such stars from my eve, IN order TO
take their apparent distances from one
another; and then LAYING the thread
down on a paper. ! marked the stars
thereupon by the beads NY MASTER
he adds, at first laughed az ne, but
when explained my meaning to him,
I've encouraged me to 20 on; and that
I might take fair copies in the day
uWe, at what had dono in the night.
he often worked Ter me himself I
shall always have respect for the me.
,rory Of that man.
Having been employed by his master
20 carry a message 10 MIR. Gliohrist,
she minister Of Keith. he took with
him the drawings he had been making.
and showed them to that gen,lemsn.-
Mr.. Gilchrist, upon tins. put . map
into his hands, aud having supplied him
with compasses, ruler, pens, ink, and
paper, desired him to take it home
with him. and bring back a copy Of it.
For this pleasant employment.' says
he. my master gave me more time
than l could reasonably expect; and
often took the threshiDg fail out Of my
hands. aud worked himself, while |
sat by him in the barn, busy with my
oompasses, ruler. and PEN This is a
beautiful. We may well say. even
touching picture-the good man 30 ge-
nsrousIy appreciating the worth Of
knowledge and genius, that, although
the master. he voluntarily exchanged
situations with his servant, and insists
upon doing tho wsrk that must be done.
himself, IN order that the latter may
give his more precious talents to their
Insrs appropriate vocation. We know
not that there is en- record, an act OF
homage to science and lear aiag mere
honorable to the author.
Progress Of TIE Silk Culture. An
incident occurred in 0up Office day or
two since, which we wish all people in
the United States could have witness
ell. IL was the exhibition sf speci.
men Of American Silk. Mr.. Rspp, tn.
respec able head 81 the society nj Econ
omy. In Pennsylvsnia. paid US a visit.
veariHg a most beautiful figured black
silk vest, and black silk handkerchief.
Che material Of which was made from
the worm to the loom. by bis society.
In a conversation with him. he remark
ed, that they found no difficulty in any
branch of the silk culture; that IL wa,
not moro difficult than raising wheat.
aud much less laborious; and that he
had little doubt that we should EXPORT
silk IN ten years. We feel assured.
that no rerssn who saw the vest and
handkerchief, and heard Mr.. Rapp's
remarks upon the subject, could have
hsrbored a doubt for another moment
Of the practicability Of cultiyatiog silk.
rs staple in the United States.
Americzn Farmer