The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-10-27
George Wilson.

sketch in the Arkansas Wig:
A few years since, as Mr.. Galaudet
was walking in the streets of Hartford,
there came running to him poor boy,
of very ordinary appearance, but whose
fine intelligent eye fixed the attention of
the gentleman, as the boy inquired,
Sir can you tell me man who would
like boy to work for him, and learn
him to read :" "Whose boy are you,
and where do you live - "I have no
parents" was the reply, and | have
just ran away from the work-house be-
cause they would not learn me to read"
The gentleman made arrangements
with the authorities of the town, and
took the boy into bis own family. There
he learned to read Nor was that all
He soon acquired the confidence of his
new associates, by faithfulness and hon
esty. He was allowed the use of his
friends library, and made rapid pro-
gress in the acquisition of knowledge.
1t become necessary, after awhile, that
George should leave Mr.. Galaudet, and
he became apprentice to a cabinet
maker in the neighborhood. There the
same integrity won for him the favor of
his new associates. To crafty his in
clination for study, his master had
little room fixed up for him in the upper
part of the shop, where be devoted his
leisure moments to his favorite pursuits,
He made large attainments in mathe-
mates, in the French language and
other branches.
After being in this situation a few
years, as he sat at tea with the family
one evening, lie all at once remarked
that he had wanted to 60 to France.
eco to France !" said his master,
surprised that the apparently contented
and happy youth had thus suddenly be-
come dissatisfied with his situation
/" for what :"
"Ask Mr. Galaudet to tea tomorrow
evening"" continued George, and l
will explain"
His kind friend wrs invited accord
ingly, and at tea time the apprentice
presented himself with his manuscripts,
in English and French, and explained
his singular intention to 60 to France.
"In the time of Napoleon" said
the boy, ga prize was offered by the
French government for the simplest rule
measuring plain surfaces Of whatever
outline. The prize has never been
awarded, and that method l have dis
covered"
He then demonstrated his problem,
to the surprise and qualification of his
friends, who Immediately furnished him
the means of defraying his expenses, and
with letters of introduction to Hon.
Lewis Cass, then our Minister to the
Court of France. He was then intro
duced to Louis Philippe, and in the
presence Of the king, and mobiles, and
plenipotentiaries, this American youth
demonstrated his problem, and received
the plaudits of the court He received
the prize, which he had clearly won, be-
sides valuable presents from the king.
He then took letters Of introduction
and proceeded to the Court of St. James,
and took up similar prize offered by the
Royal Society and returned to the United
States. Here he was preparing to
secure the benefit of his discovery by
patent, when he received a letter from
Emperor Nicholas himself, one of whose
ministers had witnessed his demonstra-
ton at London, inviting him to make
his residence at the Russian Court, and
furnishing him with ample means for hi:
outfit.
He complied with the invitation, re
paired to St. Pctersburgh, and is nov
Professor of Mathematics in the Roya
-. College, under the special protection o
the Autocrat af all the Russians