The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-14
Our London Correspondence.

LONDON, July g, 1851.
Sketch of the Career of Man of Genius-A Brief
CTysfa7 Ftas raj ~ Paxton. and the Origin Of the
There il lull in politics, and Temporary osssa-
ton of hustle and stir in fashionable life at the
West End. AS the adjournment of Parlisment
draws nearer, the great world is gradually leaning
for the country and the watering places. Yet, the
Worlds Fair continues to be an undminished
attraction, and the crowds which daily flock to it
are undiminished in number. These crowds consist
not merely Of those who 60 inside the building, but
the gatherings Of all kinds and classes outside which
Is so great in the vicinity that it looks Ito compare
great things with smalD like bees swarming.
observed in former letter. that the Crystal Palace
looks for all the world exactly like conservatory
in gentleman's garden, or a dollhouse, and in
fact it is nothing more. The history ofM Paxton,
the designer Of the building, and FIRST proposer Of
the plan, is interesting and curious. He is work
ing gardener by profession, and is now about 80
years Of age. lie was in the employ of the Duke of
Devonshire, and superintendent Of his hot houses
and Conservatives at Oh ellsworth, a celebrated
villa and estate belonging to the Devonshire family
in Derby shire. One idea often makes mans for
tune; this one idea Of bis, to construct huge con
servatory, has suddenly raised Mr.. Paxton to
fame and notoriety. He is faed everywhere, and
invited, as lion, to every society. The building
itself is often called the Paxton Palace" OF
course, such sudden honors and the increase Of so
much applause and admiration, have had their ma
tural effect upon the mind Of Mr.. Paxton and he
deems the achievement of his one idea, and the mag
nitude Of the huge hothouse to be Of the great
one sense. You have seen glass shades placed over
tender plants in garden; well, this is one OF them,
only Il Is beyond dispute the greatest glass shade
or be u that ever was made IL the world IL is
due, however, to Mr.. Paxton, TO say that ne bears
his honors well, and bis demeanor and department
in private society, as have had opportunities of
Witnessing, are those Of perfect gentleman There
IS something Of the Yankee ia the history Of the
career Of Mr.. Paxton an in the ease and facility
With which be adspts himself to the high position
to which be has fortuitousy been raised For il is
rican, TO bear either poverty wealth with equal
sang froi1 and equsnimity-an American feels that
be has right to live, If he is ever so poor, and
does not forget the rights Of others IL he ever 60
rich Mr. Paxton was poor bay, born ia the
bumblest rank Of life; but being naturally shresd
and intelligent, he early acquired by industrious
application decent education, 70 which he
aierEards added .he stores Of knowledge
which reading, observation, and reflection can
alone accumulate. Not many years ago he was
working a. poor day-laborer, for large market
gardener in the country, at the humble wages Of
l2s. week. How often 10 happens, in individual
life, that an even, which appears TO us, and per-
hsps is at the time, the very height Of misfortune
turns out to be the very th ng which Afterwards
ltadt 10 aiyancement and property. 30 IL nap
Iened with llr. Paxton in his lovy condition. He
had the misfcrtune 70 quarrel with bic employer,
and in Consequence Of angry words wa on passed
between them, he was turned out Of his situation.
The situation OF Mr.. Paxton row, g.h wife snd
child to support, out OF work in o country where
employment - not so easy 10 procure, was what
might be called deplJrable. Get, like Yankee,
be was no. cast down 900 much, but maintained
still bold AMI Independent spirit in this condition
q misfortune, which be kne not vas the en- rance
to the road which would lead TO The hghes. honor
and preferment, he wandered about The country, in
no very enyiable state Of feeling, vainly seeking
employ meht. II was the custom a. that timo as Il
still is, for poor laborers who are looking for a /
days work. TO collect at Tho gates Of such places
where large number Of men in their line is often
employed With this view, young Paxton often
lOitered at the gates Of the gardc Of Cbs:sworth,
m org other worknen, as an humble candidate
for job. On one Of these oc ,asions, IL hap
pened that az he was standing unemployed
onc day, at the dukes garden axe, the luke him
elf came by on horseback, aud ia passing, spoke
10 him, ing some tridng inquiry. The duke,
-crceiving him TO be a smart, Intelligent young
nan, addressed few more quest ons TO nan, and
having aecertaircd that be wa n journey man gar
dencr cat ofwork told him TO como in and look at
vac gardong. lie was Afterwards ordered to call
egain the next day, which he did, Of course, and
h,saung received employment, and often meeting
me 9uke N the gardcns, his intelligence and per-
.eo' ENG Wedge Of his profession gradually became
H. ~ more known, ar a. known. apprec sted.
M W ~ ,ac end, 10 due course OF time, to his
becoming the head gardcucr and sHocriutendent Of
the gardens aud grounds at Chet.svorth Uera he
oeoame O. practical and scicn6, gardener, at the
Very head CT bis profession. aud cha tosltton he
maintained with Increasing ability AID bonor iii
time came whom the Great WORLDS Feir. "a, an
exhibition Of the industry Of al nations was con
templated and bogsa 70 be talked Of The ereat
question rss, what s0E. Of building ould |. 10