Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-09-09
From the New England Puritan.
GEORGE WILSON.

A few years SINCE as the Rev. Mr.. Gallaudet was
walking in the streets of Hartford there came run
ning to him poor boy, of very ordinary first sight
appearance, but whose intelligent eye fixed the gen
tlemans attention, as the boy inquired, "Sr, can
you tell me Of man who would like boy to work
Tor HIM, and learn to readf' "Whose boy are you,
where do you liver 81 have no parents" was the
reply, sand have just away from the work house
because they would not teach me to read" The
reverend gentleman made arrangements with the au-
thortles of the town. and took the boy into his own
family. There he learned to read.
Nor was this adj. He soon won the confidence OF
his new associates, by his aithfuness and honesty
He was allowed the use of his friends library, and
made progress in the acquisition of knowledge. 1t
became necessary after a while that George should
leave Mr.. Gallaudet, and he became apprenticed to
cabinet maker in the neighborhood. There the same
integrity for HIM the favor of his new associates
To crafty his inclination for study his master had
little finished for him in the upper part of the
shop, where he devoted his leisure time to his favor
lite pursuits. Here he made large attainments in the
mathematics, in the French language and other
branches.
After being in this situation few years, as he sat
at tea with the family, one evening, he all at once
remarked that he wanted to go to France. $50 to
Francer' said his master, surprised that the appar-
emily contented and happy youth had thus suddenly
become dissatisfied with his stuation-''for whatr'
Ask Mr. Gallaudet to tea Tomorrow evening"
continued George, and will explain" His rever-
end friend was accordingly invited and at tea time
in English and French, and explained his singular
intention to 60 to France.
SIN the time of Napoleon" said he, ga prize was
offered by the French Government, for the simple
rule for measuring plain surfaces of whatever out
line. The prize has never been awarded, and that
method have discovered" He then demonstrated
his problem to the surprise and qualification of his
friends who Immediately furnished him with the
of defrayng his expenses and with letters of
Introduction to Hon. Lewis Cass, then our Minister
to the court of France He was introduced to Louis
Philippe, and in the presence of king, mobiles, and
plenpotentiaries, the American youth demonstrated
his problem, and received the paudits of the court
He received the prize which he had clearly won, be-
sides valuable presents from the king.
He then took letters of Introduction, and proceed
ed to the court of st. James, where he took up
similar prize offered by the Royal Society, and re-
turned to the United States. Here he was preparing
to secure the benefit of his discovery, by patent,
when letter from the Emperor Nicholas himself,
one of whose ministers had witnessed his demonstra-
tratons at st. James, inviting him to make his resi-
dence at the Russian court, and furnishing him with
ample means for his outfit.
He complied with the invitation repaired to St.
Petersburgh, and is now Professor of Mathematics
in the Royal College, under the special protection of
the Autocrat of all the Russias
This narrative the writer has never seen published
but the gentleman who related to him the circum
stances, attributed the singular success of young
Wilson to his integrity and fait! tulness.