Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-07-31
DIR. j. G.. Perciyai.

For some time we have been nouclng
statements in our exchanges, varying wide
" from fact, concerning DR.. PERcIyAI, and
lis late appointment as State Geologist, IN
place Of Professor DANIELS, removed. We
stated the fact of his appointment and
there intended to let the matter rest, well
knowing this celebrated mans singular pc
culiarities and even childlike timidity, at
anything like public use of what most
concerns himself; for, like great, good men
generally, there is nothing more annoying
to him than the appearance of his name,
or any allusion to his calling Or past life,
in the public prints. Without referring to
any statement for the purpose Of challen-
ging further discussion, or disproving what
has been said, we suggest that those who
really desire the fruits of his valuable ser
vices may best secure the end by ceasing
all allusion to him in the press, whether
for fattery, calunny or other effect, even
though the removal and appointment We're
effected by base men for the basest Of mo-
tiyes. We cannot believe Prot. DANIELS
would permit his friends to shovel up the
odium attached to those who intrigued for
his removal, and throw it upon the head
of the venerable Doctor.
DR.. PERc1vAL is an old man, yet with a
mind sparkling and bright as youth;
without any display, aiming at no lofty a
chieyements for glory, free from guile and
motive, so far as human power can Judge;
his thoughts are constantly dipping deep
after facts to elevate and profit mankind.
lie is a learned man, a graduate of Yale
College, and known among the learned as
one of the first classical scholars of the
country,-yet, his knowledge is far more
from observation and experience, than Of
books and parlor analysis. As a poet and
geologist he is best known by the public
in which latter department he is elassed
by men at the lead in that science, as Sc
cond if not first in the United States.
We have no partlality for DR.. PERc1vAL
he is far from companionable, cold and III
different in his external conduct towards
all around him, but then he uses all alike, !
except at particuiar~times when playful
vein or cheerful mood crosses over and
magnetizes him into state of sociability.
1t is then you may see the man, the phi
losopher, the scholar and metaphysician,
all within the same withered form. You
are silenced and charmed by chat musical
voice, every word has its exact meaning,
every sentence its logic and his discourse
is the unfolding Of something vast, deep,
and ever before hidden from your knowl-
edge.
In ali we know of human intellect,
stranger man we have not in our mind.-
None can form correct opinion of his
greatness and talents but these whose for
tune it has been to read his writings, or by
chance form his acquaintance, few are ac-
quainted with him for that incidental mood
seldom happens which opens the avenues
of his soul; at all other times he seems to
avoid association, even with the learned
and great Human nature is not over
charmed by such prodigics, our Judgment
however, may decide correctly as to the
motives and other qualities of men so OK
cceding odd and strange of turn. II is the
place Of an honorable man to indulge such
persons to any extent, and to suppress ey-
cry iliibera thought towards them.
Dr. PEGcgyAL came to Fairplay in this
County, about the first of May, 1853, and
left late in December of the Same year
lie was employed by the A,pcricaa III
'lng Company to examine the Wisconsin
Lead Mining District and report to the
Board of Managers in New York. The
chief agent Of Che Company says, "he was
employed because of his high professional
attainments and standing, and of his known
strict integrity; we'll knowing that a re-
port Of his, would be perfectly relied upon
at the East, whore his talents and acquire
ments are SO well known and appreciated.
have yet to learn that the Company re-
greet employing him, or discrodit any part
Of lis report"
We learn Che Company intend printing
his report at future time; it is lengthy
and was not intended for publication, tho
he never enjoined them against spreading
it before the public
SELECT SCHooL.-Mr. W. a. HoLMEs
will commence the second quarter of his
select school in Lancaster on Monday the
sthof August. Asa patron of Mr.. HOLMES
school, and having some knowledge of his