The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-15
GEORGE WILSON.

A few years since, as The Rev. Mr. Gallau
det was walking in iae streets OF Hartford
there came running to him poor boy. o.
very ordinary rst-sight-appearance, bu
whose intelligent eye fixed the gentleman.
attention. as the boy enquired, 'Sif, can you
tell me Of man who would like boy to
work for him, and learn to read!' Whose
hoy are you and where do you live = q
have no parents was The reply. and have
just run away from the work house because
they will not teach me TO read.' The rev
ereud gentleman made arrangements will
the authorities Of the town. and took the DO.
into his own family. There he learned I,
read.
Nor was this all. He soon acquired The
confidence Of his new associates. by his faith
fulness and honesty. He was allowed III,
use Of his friends library. and made rapic
progress in the acquisition Of knowledge. i
became necessary after while that George
should leave Mr.. Galaudet, and he became
apprepticed TO a cabinet-make in the eIgh-
borhood. There. the same INTEGRITY won
for him the favor Of his new associates. To
crafty his inclination for study, his master
had little room finished for him in the up
per pant Of the shop, where he devoIed his
leisure time TO his favoriie pursuits. Here he
made large attainments in the mathematics
in the French language, and other branches oil
science.
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 10
Francc.-"Go TO France?" said his master,
surprised that the apparently contented and
happy youth had thus suddenly become dis
satisfied with his situation-'for what =
Ask Mr.Gallaudet to tea TO- morrow evening,
confined George, and will explain His
reverend friend was invited accordingly, and
al tea time the apprentice presented himself
with his manuscripts in English and French,
and explained his singular intention 10 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 sur
faces Of whatever outline. The prize has
pever been awarded, and that method have
discovered lie then demonstrated his
problem TO the surprise and qualification Of
his friends. who Immediately furnished him
with the means Of defraying his expenses
and with letters Of introduction 10 Hon
Lewis Cass, then our Minister at the Cour
Of France. He was introduced to LOUIS
PHILIPPE, and in presence of king, mobiles, and
pleuipotentiaries, the American youth dem
onstrsted his problem, and received the plau-
dts of The court. He received the prize.
which he had clearly won. besides valuable
presents from the king.
lie 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 tho United
States. Here be was preparing 10 secure the
benefit Of his discovery, by patent, when he
received letter from the Emperor Nicho-
las himself, one OF whose ministers had wit
MESSED bis demonstration at St. James. invi-
ting 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 oil
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 circumstances, attributed the siDgu-
lar success Of young Wilson to his integrity
and faitbfulness.-lN. E. Puritan.