Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-05-29
A GOOD ANEcpoTE.

4 ne following laughhbte ahetdote hha VeNh ~
cling the rounds of the London papers, and is al
! the expense OF two well known biologists. Dr.
BuckIsnd and Mr.. George Stephenson. IL doubt
less first made It's appearance in that budget OF
fun" the London Paseh. Pass it along, end let
no one hereafter say bat there is not some force in
the mere gift of the CAB"
Once upon a Time, at a gathering oil
''fne spirlls," at Drayton Manor, Dr..
| Bucklsnd, Sir Willism Follui;, and Mr..
George Stephenson, were among the
guests assembled. The immortal railway
engineer is remarkable for peculiar no.
lions on disputable points IN various sell
ences. For instance, he knows by the eff
feet OF electricity on a rail, whtther me
road pays or not; and, as he has gone as
deep as most men into the bowels OF the
land, he rejects theories alike OF Werner
and Hutton the advocate of water and
the advocate OF fire-and announces MS
own views with so much original vlgor,
OF that they at once startle and amuse Sir
Robert having the leading professor geol-
ogy at the same table, with the eXpoun.
der of new no.ons on s.ratficatlon, con-
trived to bring them INTO intellectual colt
sion. Mr.. Stephenson disputed tho facts
oil formations as alleged ard Doctor Buck
land defended them; and he combaied he
arguments of his opponent with such hap
ply flueDcy facIe reference, that he crush
ed his adversary with as much apparent
power as one OF the engineers own loco
motives would an obtnuding rabbit, when
the engine was going at the rate Of forty
miles an hour. Mr.. Stephenson felt that
he was worsted, not DEFEATED; but being
pleasantly and politely chafrd, the efforts
he made 10 recover his position only serv'
ed to aggravate the pain Of his wounds.
Although it was only friendly controver
81, he was considerably irrilated and he
slept but little that night.
He was early up next morning, and
sought TO cool his temper 10 the spacious
garden of Drayion Manor. He had not
taken many turns on the SILICA when Sir
William Follett made his Appearance
His first saluta,lon was, George, you
made pretty fool Of yourself last night.
81 have strong Suspicion Of that kind
myself, Sir Wllinm," replied Mr.. Sle-
phensun; "but | am convinced that am
RICH, alter ALL" "To be sure you were"
SAID Sir William; shut you cannot talk.
never heard such bunger. You were
full of facts--wonderfu facts--and Buck
land had only sophlstry to oppose to you.
He beat you 10 a stand still because you
had no rhetoric" al am, Sir William,
no lawyer" "Bu, am. Come Sill
down in this alcove; and now before we
are called to breakfast, repeat 10 me your
whole theory" Mr.. Stephenson did as
Sir William desired He went through
the process Of fire and water, the opera
tons of electricity, the nature of faults, the
position of strata. "That will do" SAID
Sir William. Now, at dinnerto-day hold
YOUR tongue; leave auckland 10 me. -
After dinner, DR.. Buckland, excited BY
his triumph of the preceding evening, soon
Introduced mineralogy. Sir William in
his quiet, gentle way, drew hum into
controversy, closed upon him, ou,-ta@ed
hun, and Frustrated the professor before
ten as tffectually as the professor had
overthrow the engineer the evening be.
fore. Sir Robert enj yed the encounter;
n ons was dspi -ased; and, as they arose
10 retire, Sir William whispered, "Geoige
what do you think now" "fh!nk :"
replied Mr.. Stephenson, 81 think that
there IS nothing in earth or on it like the
gift OF CAB"