Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-04-18
"IUDGE NOT,

haHy years Sfnce, TWO pupits Oh TIE
University at Warsaw were passing
through the street i'm which stands, the
column of King Sigismund, round whose
pedestal may generally be seen seated a
number of women selling fruit, cakes and
variety of eatables, to passers-by.-
The young men paused to look at fig.
ure whose oddity attracted their atten-
tion. This was a man apparently be-
tween Fifty and sixty years Of age; his
coat once black, was worn thread-bare;
his broad hat over skadowed a thin,
wrinkled face: his form was greatly
emaciated, yet he walked with firm
and rapid step. He stopped at one oi
the stalls beneath the column, purchased
q half-penny's worth of bread, ate. par. oil
it, put the remainder into his pocket, and
pursued his way towards the palace oi
Gen. Zaionczek, lieut.. OF the kingdom,
who, in the absence of the Czar, Alexan-
der. exercised royal authority in Po-
land. .gag - h
..Do you know that man!'' asked one
student of the other. aaa1 IS sst .ssseE
II do not; but, judging by his lugubri-
Gus costume, and no less lmournful coun-
tenance, should guess him to be an un-
dertaker. "al. s7ai alsfesE srnE .4rEzaaa
.Wroug, my. friend, he is Stanislas
Siaszic.' u er .aa - s Eaaun1s
..Slaszic!" exclaimed the student. look
ing after the man, who was then enter
ing the palace. "How can mean,
wretched looking man, who stops in the
middle of the street 10 buy morsel oi
bread, be rich and powerful" t.
"Yet so it is," replied his companion.
"Under this unpromising exterior is hid.
den one of our most illustrious saUans
of Europe" .--.s. ... ...as -.
The man whose appearance contrasted
so strongly with his social position, who
was as powerful as he appeared poor,
owed all his fortune to himself-to his
labors, and to his genius. .--...
OF low extraction-he left Poland,
while young, in order to acquire learning.
He passed some years in the Universe
ties Of Lespsic aud Got,lngen. continued
his studies in the College of France, un-
der Brisson and D'Aubanton; gained the
friendship Of Button; visited the Alps
and the Appenines; and, finally, return
ed to his native land, stored with rich
and varied learning. .... IS. "
He was speedily invited by noble
man TO take charge OF the education OF
his son. Afterwards. the government
wished to prof, by his talents; and Stas-
zic, from grade to grade, was raised TO
the highest posts and the greatest dig
mites. His economical habits made him
rich. Five hundred serfs cultivated his
lands, and he possessed large sums OF
money at interest. When did any man
ever rise very far above the rank which
he was born, without presenting mark
for envy and detraction TO aim their ar
rows against! Mediocraty always aven-
ges itself by calumny; and SO Staszic
found it. for the good folks of Warsaw
were quite ready TO attribute all his ac-
tions 10 sinister motives.
A group of idlers had paused close to
where the students were standing. All
looked at the minister, and every one had
something to say against him.
"Who would ever think" cried a no.
bic, whose gray mustachois and old-fash-
ioned costume recalled the era OF King
Sigismund, "that he could be Minister
of State! Formerly, when a Palatin
traversed the capital. a troop of horsemen
both preceded and followed him. Sold
iers dispersed the crowds that pressed to
look at him. But what respect can be
felt for an old miser, who has not the
heart to afford himself coach, and who
eats piece Of bread in the streets, just
as a beggar would do?" q Rsa.s "
"His heart" said priest, '.is as hard
as the iron chest in which he keeps his
gold; poor man might die of hunger al
his door, before he would give him aims.
Ale has worn The same coat for the
last ten years. remarked another.
'He sits on the ground for fear ol
wearing outhis chairs, chirned in sau-
cy-looking lad, and every one Joined in
a mocking laugh. =.
A young pupil Of one Of the public
schools Fad listened in indignant silence
10 these speeches, which cut him TO the
heart; and at lenght, unable 10 restrain
himself, he turned to the priest and said:
"a man distinguished for his generosity
ought TO be spoken Of with more respect
What does il signify TO US how he dress
es, or what he eats, if he makes a noble
use Of his fortune!''
And pray what use does he make o.
| ite'
"The Academy Of Science wanted I
place for a library, and had no. funds Il
hire one. Who bestowed on them Z
magnificent palace! was it not Staszic'
..Oh! yes, because he is as greedy o
praise as of gold" !" -.
"Poland esteems, as her chief glory
the man who discovered the laws Of III,
side real movement. Who was it tina
raised to him a monument worthy Of hi
renown-calling the chisel of Canova t.
honor the memoy of Copernicus,"
at was Siaszic,'' replied the priest
sand SO all Europe honors for it the gen
erous Senator. But, my young friend
il is not the light OF the MONDAY SUI
that ought to illuminate christian charity
If you want really to know a man, watel
the daily course Of his private slife.-