Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-01-28
=, Where are your proofs 2" asked Mr.

have them at nand, replied James,
"and will not ask you to believe upon trust
but if you are dissatisfied with them, can
not be-"
Accordingly, he produced his manuscripts,
in both French and English, accompanied
by copious diagrams, and proceeded to dem
onstrate his positions, so clearly and con-
clusively, that the astonishment and admira-
ton of the company by far exceeded their
former skepticism. The precision and phi
losophy of his reasoning were truly wonder
full, and conviction of the truth of his de-
auctions was unavoidable He had elucida-
ted mathematical secret, that the earnest
enquiries of multitudes of men of the most
profound scientific attanments had failed to
unfold, and his name was henceforth to shine
as bright, particular star, in the intellectu-
al galaxy of the old world.
1t is the remark of an elegant writer, that
what sculpture is to the block of marble,
education is to the human soul. The phi
losopher and the hero the wise, the good,
and the great man, very often lie concealed
in the most humble individual, which the
proper direction, training and encouragement
will develope, and bring out into bold relief
These truths were powerfully illustrated in
the instance before us. 1t is also true, that
when once the intellect is aroused and star
ted upon the race, it generally runs with UNI
deviating alacrity to the goal of honor. As
it is with the body, so is it with the mind /;
exercise alone will promote its vigor, and
most even of those excellencies that are
looked upon as natural endowments, will be
found, when examined into narrowly, to be
he'product of effort, and to have been rails
ed to their commanding power only by re-
peated and energetic action.
The world, generally, lends its aid to help
on worthy man. The first essays of gem
Jus are seldom unsuccessful, and an honest
attempt at something noble will in most ca
SEES receive that favor which it deserves; and
if to this attempt there be united the proof
of undoubted merit, friends will come forth
at every need, and he who before seemed to
stand alone and disregarded, suddenly finds
himself the leader of a host, who are hearth
" anxious to promote his success and make
his reward secure.
Thus was it with James Watson. The
knowledge of his triumph soon spread out
to the great world-patrons and friends ex-
hibited themselves where least expected
orphan of the workhouse soon sailed for
France, to receive the plaudits of the crown
ed heads of Europe. He took letters to
the American minister; in due time was
presented to the king, and, in the presence
of his Majesty, the mobiles and penipoten-
tiaries of the Court, the young American
appeared as a teacher of his elders and SUI
periors-demonstrated his problem with Won
derful precision, and sat down amid the ac-
CARNATIONS of the distinguished multitude.
Never was a more signal triumph experience
ed, and never did a royal award meet with
a more worthy recipient. The prize that
had been for years unclaimed, was bestowed
by the hand of Louis Philippe himself, who
afterwards added many marks of most fiat
tering favor After some weeks residence
in Paris, the youthful philosopher took his
departure for the Court of ST. James, where
a similar reward had been offered, which he
also claimed and received and at length
returned to New England, where he inten-
ded to spend his life in usefulness.
Woodend Cottage again smiled in rural
beauty, and echoed with the melody of heart
felt Joy. The successes of his foreign Ell
terprise had given means to the dutiful son
hood and, in land where character gives
the only title to nobility, though not alto
gether free from those false views of human
greatness which poison the fountain of love
the faithful apprentice had won the heart O
| the daughter of his benefactor and led hel
to the altar, as the chosen crown of his vir
tuous life. 1t was happy day at Woodend
when the young couple came to reside in it:
quiet retreats. The bees seemed to hun
with double industry, the cattle lowed more
pleasantly, and even the brook appeared tt
dance and laugh more joyously than evel
before: and surely there never had previ
ously been such bright and beautiful flowers
there, for every village maiden came will
loaded hands, to greet the returning orphan
and his stranger bride. Here he hoped t.
live in honorable, quiet industry, happy il
his own little world, and blessing to hi
native valley But the great dramatist salt
truly,
" Our thoughts ours their ends none of our own"
His destiny was for wider sphere and
more commanding influence. 1t is univer
sally true, that talents give man superi
GRITTY infinitely higher than wealth, station
or noble birth can boast, and the names c
their possessors shine out to the world wit
halo about them that nothing can destroy
There had been present at one Of the de
monstrations of the young genius noble
man from the Court of Russia; and struck
as he was, with his brilliant success an
promising intellect, he wrote an elaborat
account of him to his sovereign-and tn
latter lost no time in securing his comman
ding abilities for the good of his realm.
|, Watson was preparing to receive the ben
eft of his discovery in his own land, by SC
curing letters patent from the Government
when he received a communication from tn
Emperor Nicholas himself, inviting him t
repair Immediately to st. Petersburg, an
providing abundant means for princel
outfit. He at length determined to go. Ii
babe adieu to his native land, to become
citizen of foreign power-and is at thi
hour Professor of Mathematics i'll the Roy
al College of the Capital, the especial favor
, tie and protege of the Autocrat of all tn
, Russias; and his success, remarkable as
is, is but brilliant example of what ma
be done by determination, faithfulness an
5 integrity