The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-03-30
ArchimedeS.

Syracuse, a city of Sicily; aud, according
TO the most authentic accounts, was born
about 2SS years before the birth Of our Sa-
viour, and about so, though some say 100
years, after the much famed Euclid. Who
his parents were, aud what was their rank
in life, are not particularly known; though
il is on hands acknowledged. that he was
related to Hero, the king Of Syracuse. II
is considered that Hero considered himself
greatly honored by such relations, and
there can be no doubt that royalty has more
cause to boast its alliance to genius than ge
MUS to be elated by its connection with roy
atty. II is probable that the name of the
monarch would have been long ago sunk in
oblivion, had not that of the philosopher
served to float it along the stream of time to
the present day. BY whom he was ins,ruc-
ted in the elements Of education, and what
was his progress, history fails to inform us
but it tells us, that he became ardently at
tached to the study Of mechanics and geom-
etry: and that, Tor the sake Of these tran
quill pursuits, he condemned the prospect of
wealth and honor, which was presented to
his view by his connection with monarchy.
The beauty Of mathematical demonstration,
and the great efficacy of mechanical power,
had, for his mind, more charms than the
glitter OF courts, or the conquering of cities
and provinces.
After studying at home, probably till he
had exhausted all the scientific knowledge
which the place could afford him, lie repair
ed, according TO the prevailing custom Of
the age, to Egypt, that he might more sue
cossfully prosecute in Alexandria what he
had SO happily begun in Syracuse. Egypt,
if not the birthplace of the sciences, was at
least the place where, at that time, they
were moSt effectively taught; and was the
great theatre Of learning TO which persons
from ali quarters, but particularly from the
different provinces of Greece, regularly re-
sorted. We are unhapply left in the dark
with regard 10 the length Of time hereman
ed in Egypt; but we are informed that dur
ing his stay he applied with assidnity 10 his
favorite studies, end distinguished himself
by some singular inventions. During his
residence upon the baLks of the Nile, he
enjoyed the society and friendship Of sonle
of the most distinguished characters of his
day, but especially of Conon, famous ma
thema,ician of the island of Samos. Their
friendship being founded upon their love of
science, the most disinterested of all friend.
ships, without the appearance of the slight
est jealousy, they had n mutual esteem for
each others talents and attainmen,s, ahd Of.
ten submitted problems To each other for so.
luton. Having enriched his mind with the
intellectual treasures Of Egypt, lie at leug,h
revisited the land of his nativity, that his
countrymen might share in the fruits Of his
eXertions.
Some of the most ardent admirer, Of Ar.
chimedrS have maintained that he impaired
tO the Egyptians a. much as he received
from them but this is nothing bu, mere as
sumption, aud. therefore, entitled to little at
tenton. Whatever benefit he conferred up.
on the Egyptians, there can be no d0ub, that
the people Of that country were, long before
that period. in possession Of ant. and iuven-
tions which had enabled them to accom-.
pli.h works which, with all our modern in.
prov ememtS in mechanics. might not little
try the skin Of the prescn, day.
Archimedes, after his return to his native
city, is said TO have relaxed neither the Wig
or Of his pursuit after knowledge, nor yet
the intensity of his application. His studies
were the engrossng objects Of all lis iho'ts.
He not unirequently prosecuted them to the
almost total neglect OF his person; food aud
sleep were often sacrificed TO the pcrGectng
OF some mechanical invention, or the solu.
ton of some difficult problem To prevent
/ the ruin of his health, his servants were
sometimes obliged to interpoSe physical
strength, in order to compel him to recruit
! his exhausted system by air, exercise, and
the use of The bath. His devotion TO the
study Of mechanics stands almost without a
parallel. Hero at one time expressing his
admiration Of some of his nventinns, Arlhi-
medes replied, with enthusiasm, that he re
Quired "bui place to fix his machines up.
on. TO be able to move the earth itself"
Thus passed the day of this wonderful
man in the peaceful bowers Of phi!oscphic
seclusion, till the safety of his native city
drew him fromhis retirement, and prompt.
ed him TO engage in its defence. During
the protracted struggles between the Ro.
mans and Carihaginians, the Silicans, and
especially the SyracusanS, had remained iol
a long time either neutral, or in alliance
with the Romans. At length, from some
political movement in the city, the Cartha.
gilman interest gained the ascendency, and
attempts were made TO extend il over the
rest of the island. So soon rs the news Of
this reached Marcellus, the Roman Gentr.
al, he FASTENED with n strong force into CT.
ely, aud after having reduced several 9TH
or places to subsection. he determined to lay
siege 10 Syracuse. Hence the Snccessfu
career Of the Roman conqueror met with
an unexpected check The inventive gen
nus of Archimedes, enabled the Syracusan,
to battle all the efforts of the be>iegers. fol
the space Of three years. Never before
was so happily illustrated the admirable
sentiment, tina, ''kpowledge is power" liz
So improved the warlike instruments for thu
discharge ofmissiles, as 10 spread conster
nation and dismay through the enemy, Wit
where more than once on the point Of re
, ,ireing from the siege, believing that the ei
" was defended by the gods. BY means o
: long and powerfullevers, together with crap
; pling irons. he is said TO have destroyed ma
ny Of the Romen galleys, when they ap
preached the walls ofihe city and when the,
retired for safety, 10 great distance. I,
have inlamed them by n particular comb
nation Of burning glasses. The reports o
these achievements of Archimedcs hayin!
been transmitted to us chiefly by the Ro
mans themselves. there is no doubt that In
difficulty they felt in reducing the city, eau
sed them TO magnify the obstacles which h