Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-04-16


figures This, as all maihamaticians know, in
wolves knowledge of labyrinths, of mathematics,
and also Of formulas and processes most complica-
ed and difficult. He has recently made an Alma |
nae for A. d. 1876. Two editions, the first Of
thousand copies, and the second Of seventeen
thousand, have already been published and nearly
all sold.
1t is but just to young Stafford to say, that the |
miscellaneous part Of the Almanac, foolish and
devoid OF taste, was prepared by young man EN-
ployed by the publisher Of the work. This is a
great pity Ii is 10 be hoped that such twaddle
will not be carried through third edition. The
contrast between the two authors is too awful. In
the Almanac the calculations Of two eclipses of
the sun, wrought out wholly by its infant author
besides other valuable tables especially one show
ing the amount of duties wool, under all the
ifs since the formation OF the government up TO the
act Of 1912 This table the boy calculated alone
And that he calculated, without aid the two ecIip-
Of the sun, is attested by the published cerh-
Gates Of judges, doctors, lawyers, aud clergymen
IL any still doubt the boys ability to calculate an
eclipses and explain in all its parts would recon-
mend them to go to Royalion, VT, where he is now
to be seen. aud. by personal examination, satisfy
themselves. He will not only bury you, in a min
ute beneath flood Of figures, signs, tangents, CO
signs and co-tangents, but he will use all the tech
meal terms Of mathematics with the creates precis-
ion-dashing through abstruse formulas and nara
ttiH every step OF nS WORK WIN edee rapiuity ana
never failing accuracy. When in his presence
under such circumstances, il any one, the
most learned, can repress the emotions Of wonder
tina, must struggle in his SOUL and not feel that he
is in the presence Of superior being, confess
shall be very much surprised Not satisfied with
the old cicutous processes Of delay, young Stafford
is constantly evolving new rules for abridgng his
work. He has found rule by which to cal
culate eclipses, hitherto unknown, so far as know
to any mathematician He told me il would short
en- the work nearly one third. When finding this
rule for two three days he seemed to be in sort
Of trance.
One morning. very early, he came rushing down
stairs not stopping 10 dress him, poured on to his
slate stream Of figures, and soon cried out in the
wildness Of his Joy, 90 father, have got it
hyae got il il comes il comes |" questioned
him respecting this rule. He commenced the ex-
PLANTATION. His eyes rolled spasmodically in their
sockets and he explained his work with readiness
To hear him talk rapidly, and yet technically
exact and so far above the comprehension Of all
save the most profound mathematician, put to flight
all my doubts, and filled me with utter astonish.
men,. He said he did not know as his new rule
would work in all cases, but as yet it had He also
remarked that the nearer noon the eclipse came on
the easier it TO apply his rule. But young SAT.
fords strength does not lie wholly in mathematics
He has a sort of mental absorption His infant
mind drinks in knowledge as the sponge does
ter Chemistry, botany, philosophy, geography aud
history are his sport. 1t does not make much diff
ference what question you ask him, he answers very
readily spoke to him Of some Of the recent dis
eoveres in chemistry He understood them. |
spoke to him Of the qualification Of carbonic acid
gas, by Prof Johnson, of the Wesleyan University.
He said he understood it. Here his eyes flashed
fire, and he began TO explain the process When
only four years old, he would surround himself on
the floor with Morse's Woodbridge's, Olney's
Il NIL.
them through and comparing them. noting all their
points Of difference.
His memory too is very strong He has pored
over Gregnry's Dictionary of the Arts aud Scien-
ces much that seriously doubt whether there
can be question asked him, drawn from either Of
those immense Aolumes, that he will not answer in
stanty. | saw the Volumes and also noticed that
he had also ef his marks on almost every page. /
asked to see his mathematical works. lie sprung
into his study and produced the Greenleafs Arith-
metic, Perkins Algebra. Huuons Mathematics
Gnmmere's Astronomy, and several nautical alma
macs. ] asked him If he had mastered them ALL
And he replied that he had. And an examination
of him for the space Of two hours convinced me
that he had; and not only SO, but that he had far
ouistripped them. His knowledge is not intuitive
He is pure and profound reasoner. In this he
exces all other geniuses Of whom have read
lie cannot only reckon figures in his mind with
reflects and wades at pleasure through all the most
absiruse sciences, and comprehends and reduces to
his clear and brief rules, the highest mathema-
ical knowledge His mind is constantly active
No recreation or amusement avail for any length
Of time to divert him from mental effort. Being
accompanied by the Rev. c. N. Smith, Of Ran.
dolph, VT, who was acquainted with MIR and Mrs
Stafford, had free access to the boy, and ample
opportunity for long and thorough examination.
went, firmly expecting TO be able to confound him,
previously prepared myself with various prob
lemns for his solution. did not suppose il posi-
bic for boy of ten years only TO be able to play
il were, with all the higher branches Of mathemat-
les But in this was disappointed
Here follow some of the questions put to him
and his answers. | said, can you tell me how many
seconds old was last March the 18th day, when
was twenty seven years oldl He replied instantly
"S5, 255 200"
Then said |, the hour and minute hands Of
clock are exactly together at IL o'clock when are
they next together Said he, as quick as thought,
~ h., 9 5.li M" And here will remark, that |
had only to read the sum TO him once He did not
TO see it, but only TO hear il announced once,
no matter how long. Let this fact be remembered
in connection with Of the long and blind, sums
! shall hereafter name. and see il il does not show
his amazing power Of perception and comprehen-
sion. He would perform the sums mentally and
also slate working by the briefest and strctest
rules, and hurrying on TO the answer with rapidi-
~ outstrippng all capacity to keep up with him.
We take the liberty of emitting numerous arith-
metical questions. all answered satisfactorily on
account Of their length
1 then asked his parents if might give him a