Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-10-01
NUMBER 6.
George Wilson.

A few yeaas since, as the Rev. Mr. Gaaudet was
walking in the streets Of Hartford there came run
ming TO him poor boy, OF very ordinary frst-sight
appearance, but whose fine intelligent eye fixed the
genileman's attention, the boy inquired Sir, can
you tell me Of man who would Ikea boy 10 work
for him and learn to read z Whose boy are you,
and where do you live 7 L have ne parents was
the reply, and have Just run away from the work.
house because they will not teach inc TO read
rhe reverend gentleman made arrangements with
the authorities Of the town, and took the boy into
his own family. There he learned to read. Nor
was that ALL He soon acquired the confidence Of
his new associates by his faithfuness and honesty.
He was allowed the use Of his friends library, and
made rapid progress the acquisition acknowledge.
1t became necessary, after while, that George
should leave Mr. Gallaudet, and he became appren-
tced 10 cabinet-maker in the neighborhood.-
There the same integrity won for him the favor of
his new associates. To crafty his inclination for
study, his master had little room furnished for
him in the upper part Of the shop, where he deyot-
ed his leisure time to his favorite pursuits Here
he made large aitainments in the mathematics, in
the French language, and other branches.
After being in this situation few years, a. he
sat at tea with his family, evening, he all at
once remarked that he wanted to go TO France
go to France r said his MASTER surprised that the
apparently contented and happy youth had thus
suddenly become dissatisfied with his situation
for what 2 Ask Mr. Gallaudet to tea tomorrow
evening" continued George, and will explain.'-
His reverend friend was invited accordingly, and
a, tea time the apprentice presented himself with
his manuscripts in English and French, and ex-
planned his singular intention to go to France In
the time of Napoleon said he. "a prize was offered
by the French government, for the simplest rule
for measuring plain surfaces Of whatever outline.
The prize has never been awarded, and that meth
cd have discovered He then demonstrated his
problem 10 the surprise and qualification Of his
friends who Immediately furnished him with means
of deraying his expenses aud with letters Of intro
duction to Hon Lewis Cass, then our Minister at
the Court Of France. He was introduced 10 Louis
Philippe, and in the presence Of king, mobiles, and
plenpotentisries. the American youth demonstrated
his problem, and received the plaudts fthe court.
He received the prize, which he had clearly won,
besides valuable presents from the king He then
took letters of introduction, and proceeded 10 the
court Of St. James, where he took up similar
prize offered by some Royal Society, and returned
TO the United States. Here he was preparing to
secure the benefit Of his discovery, by patent, when
he received a letter from the Emperor Nicholas
himself, of whose ministers had witnessed his
demonstrations at ST. James. inviting him TO make
his residence at the Russian Court and furnishing
him with ample means for his outfit. He complied
with the invitation repaired to ST. Petersburg, and
is now Professor of Mathematics in The Royal Col
ege, under the special protection Of the Autocrat
Of all the Russians
This narrative the writer has never seen pub
lished but the gentleman who related to him the
circumstances, attributed the singular success of
young Wilson, to his INTEGRITY and FAITHFUL
sEss.-N. e. Puritan.