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

Being few days since in the vicinity Of Royal
ton, VT on business connected with my Bible agen.
cy, | was induced by the reports had often seen
in the public prints Of a remarkable boy Of that
town, TO pay him visit. The name of this pre-
cocous youth is Truman Henry Stafford Jr. He is
the son Of Truman Henry and Louisa Stafford, of
Royalton VI He was born the sixth day Of Janu-
airy, 1881 He was consequently ten years old last
Tuesday the sixth day Of January, 1876. His
constitution is fral his health, though more robust
than year since, is yet delicate, his limbs small
his hair dark. his eyes dark, projecting and indie
scribably brilliant, and his countenance pallid, yet
open, smiling aud beaming with intelligence. He
is exceedingly modest and unassuming. He never
boasts never shows the least pride after perform
ing his wonderful intellectual exploits. But he is
retiring in his manners, though free TO converse
when spoken TO, and in disposition as gentle as a
lamb lie probably does not fully realize his
greatness lie reads every thing that comes in his
way consequently, he often sees the various pufs
of him that are frequently floating in the pa.
pcrs. He is also often compbmenied by distin-
guished visitors. Blu. his parents tell him not TO
believe all these encomiums, there is often great
deal of humbug in the world This has the effect
to make him quite unmindful Of praise. His won.
derfnl powers of mind began to be developed when
very young. Al the age Of 30 months he learned
his letters. Before three years old, he would reck-
on time upon a clock almost intuitiyely.
He also learned TO enumerate according TO the
Roman method from Webster's spelling book
He commenced going to school when three years
old but this he did not like His mode Of study
was perfectly unique He did not pursue the COM
mon circuitous route TO the results Of study
Since then he has beeu a very little, now goes none
at ALL Probably no college in the Uuited States
could instruct him much, if any. When he FIRST
began to go to school, his teachers could not COM
prehend his ways, nor instruct his infant mind
Every branch of study he could master alone with
rapdity and ease. He commenced Adams new
Arithmetic on Tuesday morning and finished il
completely on Friday night And when he finish
es book, it is done perfectly. He would not fully
set down his sums, but cover his slate with show
er of figures, and at once bring out the answer
The teacher would look on in establishment, unable
TO keep up with him, or TO comprehend his opera
tons carried on in his mind with the rapidity OF
lightning and then dashed on 10 the slate, no mat
ter which end first His thirst for all kinds OF
knowledge is very great. The whole circle of the
sciences is as familiar to him as household work.
His father obtained for him Gregorys Dictionary OF
the Arts and Sciences, in three large Volumes
This work. you know, is a vast encyclopedia OF
knowledge, treating briefly upon all branches OF
human knowledge. This was Just the work he
wanted for an outline Of anything is enough-ht
can make the rest 1t was this book that first gave
him taste for the higher mathematics. Here he
found the definition Of logarilhm, and from thi:
alone he went on and made almost an entire table
of them before ever seeing one.
One day he went to his father and told him he
wanted to calculate the eelipses aud make an Al
manac lie said he wanted some books and in
slrumens. His father tried to put him off; bu
the boy followed him into the fields and whherso
ever he went, begging for books and instrument
with most affecting importantly. Finally, hi
father promised 10 accompany him TO Dartmouth
College, and obtain for him If possible, what h
wanted. At this, the boy was quite oyerjoyed; 81
much So that when they hove in sight OF the Col
ege, he cried out in raptures 30. there is the Col
ege there are the books there are the nstru
menis !" But they did not find all they wanted
At Norwich however, they made up their compl
men, On coming home, the boy took Gummere'
4 Astronomy, opened il in the middle, rolling il +
and fro, and dashing through its dry and tediou
formulas, went out at both ends. BY the way, thi
is his usual mode Of study. He does not begin an
book at the beginning, but always in the middle
T and then goes with rush both ways. asked hit
IT, when he opened Gummere's Astronomy in III
: middle. il he could comprehend those comPlicaie