Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-02-13

George wilson.

A few days since. Mr.. Callandant wi
walking the. streets of Hartford, ther
came Filming UP to him a poor boy, {
very ordinary appearance, but whose fin
intellectual eye fixed she attention Of tn
gentleman, as the boy inquired. 'Sir. Cal
you tell me of man who would like
boy to work for him, and learn him (,
read +"
"Whose boy are you, and where d.
you live p
II have no parents" was the reply
land have just run away from the work
house, because they would not teach me
to read"
The gentleman made arrangements with
the authorities Of the town. and took the
boy into his family. There he learned to
read. Nor was this all. He soon acquir.
ed the confidence Of his new associates, by
faithfulness and honssty-he was Above
the use Of his friends library, and made
rapid progress in the acquisition of knowl.
edge. 1t became necessary after awhile,
that George should leave Mr.. Gallandet,
and he became apprenticed to cabinet
maker in the neighborhood. There the
same integrity won for him the favor of
his new associates. To crafty this incii-
nation for study, his master had a little
room finished for him in the upper part of
the shop, where he devoted his leisure
time to his favorite pursuits. Here he
made large attainments in mathematics, in
the French language. and other branches.
After being in this situation few years,
as he sat at tea with the family one evenin q
he all at once remarked that he wanted to
60 to France.
"Go to France !" said his master, sur.
prised at the apparently contented and
happy youth had thus suddenly become
dissatisfied with his situation-'for what ?
ASK Mr.. Gallandet to tea tomorrow
evening" continued George, and will
explain"
His kind friend was invited according
". At tea time the apprentice presented
himself with his manuscript, in English
and French, and explained his singular in
tention to go to France.
In the time of Napoleon said he, "a
prize was offered by the French Govern
ment for the simplest rule of measuring
plane surfaces of whatever outline. The
prize has never been awarded, and that
method have discovered
He then demonstrated his problem, to
the surprise and qualification Of his friends,
who Immediately furnished him with 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 introduced TO Louis Philippe, and
in the presence of Kings and Mobiles, and
poteDtiaries, this American youth
demonstrated his problem; and received
the plaudits Of the court. He received the
prize he had clearly won, besides vaua-
BILE presents from the King.
He then took letters Of introduction and
proceeded TO the Court ofSt. James, and
took up a similar prize, offered by the
Royal Society, and returned to the United
States. Here he was preparing to secure
the benefit ofhis discovery by patent, when
he receiveda letter from the Emperor
Nicholas himself one Of whose ministers
had witnessed this demonstration at Lon
don, inviting him t. make his residence
at the Russian Court, and furnishing him
with ample means for his outfit.
He complied with the invitation, re-
paired to st. Petersburg, and is now pro-
lesson Of Mathematics In the Royal College,
under the special protection of the Auto
crat oil all the Russians.-N. Y. Journal of
Commerce.