The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-05-08
From The Boston Daily Times.
A REMARKABIE HISTORY

ZERAH CoLBuRN No phenomena ii the whole his
tory Of intellectual man, have been more remarkable
than those attending the life OF Zerah Colbun, whose
death has been recently announced
lie horn at Cabot. Vermont, on the LIST OF Sep
temher, 1901. and the sixth child Of poor. bit re-
spectacle parents His father farmer, aud he first
discovered his sons peculiar faculty in August. 1870
the boy heag then about years old Tho child had
been at district school only about six weeks. which
comprised all his opportunity for edneation aud the FIRST
indication he gave Of his uncommon command Of nun
beers by running through the multiplication table,
while sitting on the hIar of carpcnter's shop. and
watching chips as they were thrown off from the tool
lie was taken 10 several places IN Vermont, and
examined by distinguished men, who astonshed at
his power. which no less ncomprehensble 10 them
than 10 himself BY The advice OF friends. his father
induced TO take Zerah atont for exhitoi. lhough
several capital offers made Especially by Professor
Adams. Of Dartmouth College, to take him in charge
and give him complete education All the offers were
refused by the n,ercensry spirit Of the father.
Ia Boston tho father received a munitcent offer 70
educate the boy, which his mcrcenary temper induced
h,n to refuse. Jas. Perkins Daniel Sargeant JOSIAH
Quincy, Isaac p. Davis. WIN Sullivan and w Shaw,
agreed 10 contract with the father, 10 raise 5Ooo ny
subscription. and without exhibition. one bali OF which
should be given TO The father aud the other hall applied
10 the education Of the child. under the direction Gf
trustees. s,hough the father should he allowed TO he
WITH and have the personal charge Of his son. This Of
fer was refused a.@.
Zerah AIKEN 10 England, where he excited
as much wouder as he had done here. The desutory
character of his father. hnwevef ruined hispro poets,
and made enemies After travelling through the United
k'nginns receiving much money and borrowing more,
The wicked father took the hoy to France, where, il
1891, without giving any innation Of his name. per-
or character. he taken to Dr. Gall the father
Of phrenology, who Immediately remarked upon the
prominence Of the organs OF number and desired 10
take mask OF his aco Here also. great establishment
excsed, and vast sums OF taken by the exit
hilton received IN loans: but oil expended, and
they returned IN poverty and distress to England
In July. 1916. the Earl Of BRISTOL with princey Ii.
beray, took mp the patronage Of the boy with the hope
that, in the Of good education he might be
abled to reveal the secret OF his mysterious power
Of computation. He offered 10 pay the expenses Of
his education at Westminster and, in the time,
allow the father twenty five pounds per annum At
this institution they had quarrel and left Of
the practice Of Jag2tag, aud went to the Rev Mr. Bal
len, IN Buckln2hamshlre where the Earl Of Bristol con-
sened still to defray the expenses OF private tuiiion
| Zerah was taken from Mr. Bullen's in 1878, on
count Of some freak Of his father, and taken Ed
nburgh To be prrpareI for the stage Afer Studying
time with several actors, with whom il was ,npos
slhe for the father 10 agree Zerah put under the
care OF Charles kenbc, and received lessons from hun
He taken round TO Ireland and tho provincial thea
tres without success, during 1920 aud 1921 aud IN
1929, having been reduced to destitnon application
was made TO The Earle Of Bristol fol farther assistance
The Earle very properly said he would do nothing for
the father but separate and independent Of him his
coiro, he would assist The son. then Is years old
Compelled TO labor by necessity, Zerah IN that year
took small school in the country, Which he con,nned
un,il the death OF his father which happened in
Feb 1924; and in May, by the renewed lbrrali,y Of
the Earle of Bristol, he sailed for this country
There Is nothing more 10 relate Of Zerah Cobnrn
but that he has lived ~ Vermont ever since. a Meiho-
dist Clergyman, with distinction Of nence Of any
kind His talents far below nedorry as scho
lar aud thinker. He had the GIFT Of clear
cepOn of thouuhts Int .yIndIpd
down into OF the lower classes of those who though
plos aud useful To certain extent the ministry, are
not enabled 10 shine.
HIS power OF calculation was lost sometime before he
left England the secret OF origin aud end rests
only with his Maker u.N