Southern planter., 1832-12-08

ners priniod IN Boston aboui twenty years hci"Fc'
Without grammar or dictionary, u was no' 70
be expected that he would make much progress 10
the reading, but, perceying many words resembling
the English he naturally inferred ihai ihe sens
must lie the same, and so translated .'Son bFcet-
kucc le General WGshiagioH," by-Ihc son oi MS
excenencv. General Washington; but on beng IN
corred tbat thai great man had never had son,
he began 10 think ofsome method surer Than an.
alogy, 10 learn the language; and having procured
tho loan of the book and his uncc's consent, went
10 larger town. where, having obtained ifom o
lady ihe loan Of French Grammar, he soon learnt
TO translate, without other assistance, several para
araphs This was in tho ial ofi0i5.
In short iio~, deacon Of the church, man
Of talents who knew how 10 pronounce the language
happening, one evening, 10 hear him make trans
aion, aud perceiving thai he was Ignorant OF TIC
pronunciation, kindly assisted him. This gentle
man was probably the father Of the editor Of the
National Banner. By December, the neighbors
began 10 think him halfu Frenchman lie thought
oihWwisc, and had learned just enough to know
there was great deal moro 10 learn How tobe-
como proficient was the equcstonP
lie concluded, at length, II would be advisable
TO travel further, and, having procured youth OF
the same name, but, though taller, few months
younger, bear him company, they both sat out
on foot, for New York, on Christmas eve, l8i5,-
provided with a basket for their provisions, and a
change Of clothes.
Under their circumstances il was not very easy
for two boys Of and 80 years ofage TO travel $50
miles on foot over ice and snow, without being ia
ken up and sent home. But Henry, who was
spokesman, hsd arrand ingenuity enough TO over
come all obstacles From the almanac, ho learnt
the distance from place to place, and hs knowl-
edge ofNew York and parts beyond, drawn from
the Geography, enabled him 10 convince Me inqu-
siiye that ho was going right. lie knew, besides,
that people would not believe the truth, il nppetr-
ances opposed il, and therefore passed ns comrade
for two years the elder
To defiay the expenses Of their journey, they
had been able TO muster about three dollars which
would have been quite insufficient, had they not
used great economy, and, moreover, much favored
by the tavern keepers Besides, on one occasion,
they got their expenses for the nigh, paid in the fol-
lowing manner:
They had siopt at tavern in Connecticut
where there happened to be a schoolmaster boring
some of the good people on account of their iRno-
rance Of Arithmetic. Amongst the questions lie
proposed was this:- How much is the half of two.
thirds Of threefourihs Of lourths of ivesixths Of
sx,sevenths ofseven-eglltho Of eightnnths2 This
was a stumper. But our young traveller, though
he had not then studied an arthmeiical book, was
mentally able TO solve IL; and when the pedaQoQue
with an cir of triumph, taxed his auditors with ig-
norance, young II. remarked that he thought that
he could tell the answer Whercupon the pedant
declared that he would pay both their fares if he
could. This was readily agreed 10, and the an
swor instantly given The man looked blank and
would have Withdrawn his promise, which the by.
ISLANDERS would not permit. This circumstance
doubtless tended, in no small degree, TO direct the
attention of young II. to the value Of mathemate.
al knowledge.
Al longth the travellers reached New York, in the
night ofDecember 3Ist, 1916, having averaged
more than thirty miles a day.
They inquired for tavern Of a gentleman, who
manifested great surprise at the details of their ex-
traordinafy Journey, and took them TO a mansion,
where he ordered them a supper and bed Af
ter eating hearty meal, they were shown into O
splendid apartment, where they slept soundly till
morning; when they rose and concluded TO walk
out before breakfast, aud take view Of the city
Our spokesman suggested the propriety of taking
their things with them, lest they never should
find their way back, aud fare badly. |, was well
they did, for after rambling the streets for some
time, they vany endeavored to return to their lodg
ing place.
They now began TO think il necessary TO ohtair
some employment, and, towards evening, succeed
ed in getting situation in type foundry, where
by great industry, they were able to earn some
tmng every day. But rubbing types, one by one
was too tedious for young II. S comrade, who be
ing shortly after, traced by his relatives, returnec
home TO his parents by sea.
Alter the lapse OF some months, and the occur
renee ofmanyeyents, our remaining traveller conclud
cd to travel into Virginia and visit the tomb o
Washington. lie passed on foot through New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and tb,
city OF Washington, then bearing marks Of British
Iahdallsmi but could not entirely effect his object
AT Alexandria, he met with an old female acquaint
ance, at whose house he tarred couple of DAYS
and then returned towards the North; but not hay
ing money Sufficient for his purposes. and being 4
sodesirous ofexaminingthe Chesapeake,bay, he not
on board ofa vessel for month, at the expiration
OF which he was strongly pressed by a ship carpen.
ter to learn the art ofshp building, being offered
great advantages; but he declined, and having now
about five dclars, proceeded Iomeward, and when
IN New Jersey, being invited by lawyer to stay
atthe house OF hls father, he cnntenied the momebl
he undersioodEhathe lie was acquainted with F,encb.
and soon made great progress. insomuch that he
spoke i tolerably well before The close of 1916 -
The old gentleman had great many books on AL
enemy, With which our traveller amilarzed him
sell as well as ono ofhis age aud Requirements
could, considering the incomprehensbhiy of tho
science, IN order 10 Which, he had to take up Inc