The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-07-16
Stanislaus Staszic.

vcrsity at W arsaw were passing through the
street in which stands the column of King Sig
ismund, round whose pedestal may generally
be seen seated number of women selling
fruit, cakes, and a variety Of eatables to the
passers by. The young men paused to look
at figure whose oddity attracted their at.
tention. This was a man apparently be-.
tween fifty and sixty years of age his coat,
once black, was worn threadbare his broad
hat overshadowed a thin, wrinkled face his
form was greatly emaciated, yet he walked
with firm and rapid step. He stopped al
one of the stalls beneath the column, pur-
chased hallpenny worth of bread, ate part
of it, put the remainder in his pocket, and
pursued his way toward the palace of Gen>
eral Zaonozek, lieutenant of the kingdom,
who, in the absence of the Gar Alexander,
exercised royal authority in Poland.
"Do YOU know that man 2" asked one
man OF the other.
81 do not but judging by his lugubrious
costume, and no less mournful countenance,
l should guess him to be an undertaken"
Wrong, my friend; he is Stanislaus
Staszic ?"
"Staszic !" exclaimed the student, look
ing after the man, who was jus, entering the
palace. How can mean, wreiched looks
ing man, who stops in the middle of the
street to buy morsel oi food, be so rich and
powerful ?"
" Yet so it is" replied his companion.
" Under this unpromisng exterior is hidden
one of our most influential ministers, and
one of the most illustrious sdvans of Europe.
The man whose appearance contrasted SO
strongly with his social position, who was as
powerful as he seemed insignificant, as rich
as he appeared poor, owed all his fortune to
hmself-to his Iabors and to his genius.
OF low extraction-be left Poland while
young, in order to acquire learning. He
passed some years in the University Of Leip-
sic and Gottingen, continued his studies in
the College of France, under Brisson and
D'Auban'on gained the friendship of Buff
fon visited the Alps and Appenines and,
finally, returned to his native land, stored
with rich and varied learning.
lie was speedily invited by nobleman to
take the charge of the education of his son.
Afterward, the government wished TO profit
by his talent; and Staszic, from grade to
grade, was raised to the highest posts and
the greatest dignities, His economical hab-
its made him rich. Five hundred serfs cul>
tivated his lands, and he possessed large sums
of money placed at interest. When did any
man ever rise very far above the rank in
which he was born, without presenting a
mark for envy and detrsction to aim their
arrows at ? Mediocrity always avenges it.
self by calumny; and 40 Staszic found it
for the good folks of Warsaw were quite
ready to attribute all his actions to sinister
motives.
A group of dlers had passed close to
where the students were standing. All look
ed at the minister, and every one had some
thing to say against him.
"Who would ever think" cried a noble
whose gray mustaches and old fashioned cos
tune recalled the era of King Sigismund
that he could be minister of state For
merly, when Paatine traversed the capital
troop of horsemen both preceded and fol,
lowed him. Soldiers dispersed the crowds
that pressed TO look at him. But what re.
spect can be felt for an old miser, who hai
not the heart TO afford himself coach, ant
who eats piece OF bread in the streets, JUS
as beggar would DO ?"
"His heart is as hard" said priest, ga,
the iron chest in which he keeps his gold :
poor man might die Of hunger at his doo
before be would give him aims "
He has worn tue same coal for the las
ten years." remarked another.
He sits on the ground for fear of wear
ing out his chairs" chimed in a saucy-l look
ing lad, and every one joined in mockin;
laugh.
A young pupil Of one of the public SC nool
had listened in indignant silence to thes
speeches, which cut him to the heart; an,
at length, unable to restrain himself, h
turned toward the priest, and said
Z" A man distinguished for his generosit,
ought to be spoken Of with more respect
What does il signify to US how he dresses, O
what he eats. if he makes noble use of hi
fortune 2"
i And pray what use does he make Of III?
"The Academy of Sciences wanted
place for library, and had not funds to hir,
one. Who bestowed on them magnficen
palace2 Was it not Staszic ?"
"Oh yes, because he is as greedy O
praise as of gold"
Poland esteems, as her chief glory, III,
man who discovered The laws of the siderea
movement. Who was it that raised 10 hin
monument worthy of his renown, calling
the chisel of Canova to honor the memor
Of COpernicus2"
1t was Staszic, and SO all Europe hon
ors for il the generous Senator. But m,
young friend, it is no. the light of the noon
day sun that ought to ilume Christian chari
ty. If you want really to know a man
watch the daily course of his private life
This oseniatious miser, in the hooks which
he publishes, groans over the lot of the peas
antry. ard in his vast domains, be employ,
hve hundred serfs. Go some morning to hi
house-there you will find poor woman be-
seeching with tears a cold nroud man wh,