Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-09-01
George Wilson.


4 few years since, as Mr. Gallaudei was
walking IA the streets Of Hartford there
came running to him poor boy, Of very
ordinary appearance, but whose iine, intel.
ligent eye fixed the attention of the geLlle-
man, as the boy inquired, " Sir, can you
tell me Of a man who would like boy tc
work for him, and learn him to read -
Whose BOY are you, and where do YOU
live ~ So | have no parents, SAID he. land
have Just run away from the work-house be-
cause they wouldn't teach me TO read. The
gentleman made arrangements with the au-
thouIes Of the town, and took the boy
into his own family There lac learned to
read. Nor was that all He soon acquir-
ed the confidence of his new associates by
faiIhlulness aud honesty. He was allowed
The use Of his friends library, and made
rapid progress IN The acquisition of knowl-
edge. II became necessary, after a while,
that Geofge should leave Mr. Gailaudet, and
he became apprenticed TO a cablnet-maker,
10 the neighborhood. There the same in.
tegrlly won for ban The favor If his new as
suclales. To CRAFTY his inclination for
study, his master had little room finished
for han 10 the upper part Of the shop, where
he devoted his leisure time to his iayorlie
pursuits. Here he made large auaiumenls
IN mathematics, ia The French language aud
other benches.
Amer being 10 this situation few years
as he sat at tea with the fsnlIy Que evening
he all az once remarked that he wanted tC
60 TO France.
90 Go to France ~ said his master, sur
prlsed that the apparently couiented and
happy youth had thus suddenly become dis.
satisfied with ms situation for what
Ask Mr.. Gailaudet here TO tea tomorrow
evening" continued George, land viii ex-
plain
HIS kind freud was invited accordingly,
and at tea time the apprentice presented
himself with his manuscripts, IN English
and French, and explained his singular IN
lenuon to 90 to France
Ia the time of Napoleon" said he, e" a
prize was offered by the French Govern
ment for the simplest rule of measuring
PLAIN surfaces, of whatever outline. The
prize has never been awaTned, and that
method have discovered
lie theu demonstrated his problem, to the
surprise aud qualification Of his friends, who
Immediately furnished hin with The means
of deirayng his expenses, aud with letters
Of introduction to Hon. Lewis Csss, then
our Minister To the court Of France He
was introduced TO Louis Philippe, and in
the presence of the king aud mobiles, and
plenipoIentlaries, this American youth dem
onslrated his problem aud received the plau-
dts Of the court. He received the prize
which he had clearly won, besides valuable
presents from the king
lie then took letters Of introduction and
proceeded to the court of ST. James, and
took up a similar prize offered by the Roy
al Society and returned TO the United
Slases Here he was preparing 10 secure
the benefit Of his discovery by patent, when
he received a letter from Emperor Nicholas
himself one of whose ministers had witness.
ed his demonstration at London, inylting hin
to come and make his residence at the Rus
sian court, and furnishing him with ample
means for his outfit.
lie complied with the invitation, repair
ed 10 81. Petersburgh and is now Professor
of Mathematics IN the Royal College, IN
der the special protection Of the Autocral
OF all the Russians.