Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-11-24

hundred volumes, while his wardrobe
remained the same as ever. A woollen
frock, a miserable cap, and wooden shoes
constituted all his clothing but for this
he cared little.
However, while he was thus improving
his mind by dilligent study, it must be
owned that his charge did not profit by
it. The hermits who knew nothing about
science, and cared still less, began to COM
plain loudly; one of them threatened to
burn all his books, and added an offensive
gesture to the menace. Valentine was
not without spirit; necessity had reconci-
led him to service, but not to insults. He
seizes fire shovel, pushes the reverend
brother out of doors, does the same with
the others, who run upon hearing the
noise, and locks the door. The hermi-
taSe Is IN the greatest commotion. The
superior arises and asks whatit all means.
Valentine, seated TRANQUILITY at the win
dow, explains the matter frankly, and on
ly consents to open the door, after having
obliged them to accept a capitulation.-
The two principal points for which he
stipulated, were oblivion for the past, and
two hours daily, in future to attend to his
studies. On these conditions, he engages
to serve the hermits ten years for board
and clothing.
The wood where Valentine pastured
his cattle served rs his study. One day,
being surrounded as usual with his books
and maps, he was accosted by a stranger
of good appearance and richly dressed,
who, surprised at this display, asked him
what he was doing.
&c L am studying geography" said Va
Ientinc.
''Do you understand anything about
it?" asked the stranger.
'' l do not devote my time to what 1 do
not understand" was the reply.
&" Very good" said the traveller; ''but
what part are you now studying ~
g | am tracing out the route to Que
bcc," caid Valentine, Gas [ wish to 90
there, and continue my studies at the
in that city
He had read in books that Quebec con-
tanned celebrated university.
There are" said the unknown, 'Funi-
versitics nearer at hand than that, l will
direct you to one
In the midst of this dialou5e, a number
OF attendants approach from ali quarters,
through the trees, and stand respectfully
around the person who questions Valen
tine. Sensible that he stands before a dis
parsonage, Valentine wishes
to excuse the freedom of his replies. The
Prince of Lorraine, for it was he, reassured
him, and told him that he was so well
pleased with his disposition and tastes,
that he would take care Of his fortunes
In short, Valentine found himself at the
height of his desire. He was placed at a
where his progress was SO ra-
pid, that at the end of two years the
Prince afforded him the means of travel
ing into foreign countries. On his return,
he appointed him his librarian, and Pro-
lessor of History in the Academy of Lu-
neville. His situation, and the lessons
which he gave wealthy Englishmen, pro
cured him the means of rebuilding his old
hermitage of st. Anne, thus showing
that gratitude was in the number of his
virtues. When Lorraine was ceded to
France, he resisted all invitations to re-
main, and followed the library of his be-
ncfactor to Florence, where he lived ten
years The reputation which his learn
ing had gained for him caused the empe-
ror to summon him to Vienna to superin-
tend the formation of cabinet ofmedals-
There he lived, beloved and respected
by the whole imperial family and there,
too, he died in l775, aged nearly eighty.