Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-03-01

To the Editor of Waterman and State Journal
Having observed in some of the late country
pa pers an nrclo quoted from the Louisville Jour
nal, which | presume to be Prentiss's last, in
which am somewhat facetiously dealt with TO
say no morc) for attempting 10 NEEDLE with mai
ers touching the stubborn sciences as now taught
and understood by the world: aud as q iapsis lin
guR from such source as TINT of the Louisville
Journal is we'll calculated to excite the rsibles of
the multitude, l may well expect that many others
will assay TO be the authors OF like merriment by
way OF slupsum slingum, and that shall have ma
ny shoulder OF mutton dashed at me, gravy and
| all 10 the great amusement Of the authors of the
intended jokes al least, if not to others.
| do not pen this article for the. purpose of an
swering the righteousness Of the Louisville article
| IF aught else it may conlain) as'l certainly would
never attempt, on that head, TO measure spears
with its author: nor do feel dNposed TO "givs
edge and power 10 lns ruling passion by reflect
ing hack upon it one solitary ray Of heat or light
| The article, however, has had the effect to u.
rouse me from my revere, and TO enquire wha;
manner of creature ain, that should be thus no.
ticed; aud have at length rather satisfied the en-
quiry by an application of ths old adage, that is
not always the poorest fruit that the birds pick at:
aud that the article may have tendency TO in
duce others to save what Otherwise might be
thrown away by the lille and untbinking; or he
left 10 perish, by those to whom it might furnish
n rich and pleasant repast.
But 10 return and address myself to tbs sober
aud thinking portion Of the world; those. who
"laugh when they must be candid When they
can !" and who are inclined - reason from what
they know in other words those who are
be or competent to review work after they have
seen and examined IT, as before; and who will re-
qure nothing more than demonstration to con-
vince them Of those truths or errors which only
submit ID that rigid course of reasoning and TO
such submit my productions in all candour, and
in aN h.n n, be suba al
10 an adequate examination.
Some may suppose that am not aware of the
very singular, il not even awkward attitude, in
which stand presented before the public in con-
sequence OF the announcement Of my bold pre-.
tensions, where "paIron or inlercessor, pone ap
pears" and where am left alone TO herald what.
ever of benefit intend for the world, with The
view TO attract attention to those matters which
deem of vast importance. But wish not to
serve to myself, longer than the necessity OF the
case requires, the exclusive privilege of being my
own commentator; or of judging in respect to
The truth or iallacy OF the propositions which |
| propose 10 demonstrate; or of The probable truth
or laacy of those theoretical, or Hypothetical no.
tons which have adduced, and Tor which | do
not clam demonstration, but only that they arc
plausible deductions or consequences flowing
from hose principles or laws which are demon
slrated
Beside the sober and enquiring portion OF tho
I have much absolute idoalry, as we'll as much
needless, laughing skeptlcism 10 contend WITH, TO
which appeal would be as futile as an attempt
TO convert the Sanhedrim OF The Jews to the
Chrslisn faith ; or to call spirits from the Vastly
deep with the expectation that they would come
when called TO such, only propose 10 leave
legacy TO their children.
IL is in vain TO expect that great portion Of
those who profess to give tone TO- or 10 d'rect snd
teach human science, will soon cease their denun-
catory efforts to dissuade mankind from attempts
10 reform and enghten the world or 10 abuse an
enauring world in respect TO their attempts at up
ward progress 10 denounce as visionary all at
tempts at further progress in science, and espec-
tally on those matters of which themselves are in
total ignorance. Such has been the practice, aud
yet remains SO: witness the manner in winch
Montucla in his history OF mathematics, and hses
in his Cyclopedia have treated The subject oil the
Quadrature Of the Circle, by which they attempt
TO dissuads mankind from further attempts a. It's
solution TO which authors ON that important sub
ect, refer the inquirer for more congessed neon
sislency in their mode or manner OF reasoning
than is generally 10 be found in those who under
take to say 10 mankind, thus far shalt thou 90 and
no further.
These however are general warnings and eau
lions to mankind but why, IL may be asked,
should DO noticed as an attempted innova,er up
Oh the hill OF science, ~ though possessed some
sacrilegious motive that those who are placed
upon It's brink to guard its sacred rights and orgies
should, so far In advance, hur their rusbie' al ma