Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-01-22
Extraordinary Bed-Ridden Mechanic.

Extraordinary Bed-Ridden Mechanic.
In the town of Alyth, in Scotland, there late.
iy lived man of much provincial celebrity, of
the name of James Sandy. The originality of
genius and cccentricity of character which dis
tinguished this remarkable person have been
rarely surpassed, Deprived al an carly age of
the use of his legs, he contrived by dint of in
genuity not only TO pass his time agreeably,
but TO render himself useful member of So
ciety. He soon displayed taste for mechani-
cal pursuits, and contrived as workshop for
his operations a sort of circular bed, the sides
of which being raised about eighteen inches a.
bove the clothes, were employed as platform
for turning lathes, table vices, for tools of all
kinds. His genius for practical mechanics
was universal. lie was skilled in all sorts Of
turning and constructed several very curious
lathes, as well as clocks and musical instru-
mcnts of every description no less admired for
the sweetness of their tone and the elegance
Of their execution. lie exceIlcd too in the
construction Of optical Instruments, and made
some rejecting telescopes, the specula of which
eminent London artists. lie suggested some
important improvements in the machinery for
spinning flax and we believe, he was the first
who made the wooden jointed snuff boxes gen.
orally called Laurence kirk boxes some of
which fabricated by this self:taught artist were
purchased and sent as presents TO the royal
family. To his other cndowments he added
All accurate knowledge of drawing and engrav-
ing, and in both of these arts produced epeci-
mens Of the highest excellence. For upwards
of fifty years he quilted his bed only three times,
and on those occasions his house was either in
undated with water or threatened with danger
from fire.-lIis curiosity. which was unbound
ed, prompted him to hatch different kinds of
birds eggs by the natural warmth Of his body,
and he afterwards raised the motley brood with
all the tenderness Of parent SO that on visit
ing him it was no unusual thing to see various
singing birds, to which he may be said TO have
given birth, perched on his head, and warbing
the artificial notes he Lad taught thcm.-Na-
tural'y possessed Of good constitution, and
an active, cheerful turn of mind, his house vas
the general coffee room of the village, where
/ the affairs of both church and state were dis
cussed with the utmost freedom. In conse-
quence of long confinement, his countenance
had rather a sckly cast, but it was remarkably
expressive, and would have afforded a fine sub
ject for the pencil of Wilkie, particularly when
he was surrounded by his country friends.
This singular man had acquired by his ingenui
ty and industry an honorable independence
and died possessed Of considerable property
lie married aboutthree weeks before his death
From this brief history OF James Sandy, W,
may learn this very instructive lesson, that NJ
difficulties are too great 10 be overcome by in
dustry and perseverance, and that genius thougl
it should sometimes miss the distinction it de
serves, will seldom fail, unless by its own fault
TO secure competency and respectabilty.