Washington sentinel., 1854-05-04
Boyhood of Distinguished Men. Drvde,

Boyhood of Distinguished Men, Dryden
displayed no evicence Of more than ordinary intel
ligence until he reached mature manhood ; and
Johnson said Of Goldsmith that he was g plant
that lowered late" Schiller was very idle schol-
ar, and much fonder of ball and leaping than of
books. The most interesting thing told of him as
child by his bographer is, that once in the midst
Of storm ofthunder and lightning, he climbed
tree, and when asked by his parents why he did
| so replied, whispering =" That the lightning was
very beautiful, and he wished TO see where il was
coming from" This story, il correct, furnishes an
| illustration Of the manner in which the young
| mind delights TO seek information for itself in its
own way. Perhaps still more characteristic an
ecdote is that told of Smeaton, the architect ofthe
Eddystone light house, who, when boy in petit
coats, was one day discovered on the top of his
fathers house, in The act of fixing the model of
windmill, which he had constructed.
The great majority OF the most distinguished
men. especially of those distinguished for their
power, have been altogether undistinguished in
their boyhood. Sir Isaac Newton, perhaps the
greatest man, stood very low in his class at school,
though he was fond oil mechanical pursuits and
of drawing various natural objects. Sir David
Brewster says of him, that " when he arrived al
Trinity college, he brought with him more sen-
der portion of science than falls to the lot Of ordi
nary scholars but this state of his requirements,
was perhaps not uniavorabe 10 the development
of his mental powers. Unexhausted by premature
growth, and invigorated by healthfuI repose his
mind was the better fitted TO make those vigorous
and rapid shoots which soon covered with foliage
and fruit the genial soil to which il had been
ferred'
Sir Humphrey Davy said of himself: 81 con-
slider il fortunate that was left much TO myself
when child, and put upon no particular plan OF
study; and that enjoyed so much idleness at
Mr.. Coryton's school. l perhaps owe 10 these
circumstances the little talents that | have, and
their peculiar application. What | am have
made myself | say this without vanity and in
pure simplicity Of heart" And it is so in fact
Every man who achieves greatness does So not
through his requirements under teachers when a
boy but through his seli-educaton after he has
become a man.
stances OF positively stupid boys who have become
distinguished and highly useful men. For instance,
isaac Barrow, the great divine, was in his boy
hood chiefly distinguished by his propensity for
lighting, in which he got many bloody nose; and
his father used TO say that, if it pleased God TO
take from him any Of his children, he hoped il
might be Isaac, who was the least promising of
them all. And that prodigy of learning, Dr. Adam
Clark, when boy, was never happier than when
trolling large stone about" caring nothing for
learning or reading of any sort. But at this kind
OF work he became "uncommonly hardy" though
his father proclaimed him 10 be most "grievous
Ounce. Thanks 10 Adam Clark's power of roll
ing about the large stone in his boyhood, he was
afterwards able TO roll about large thoughts in his
manhood
Napoleon and Wellington were both dull boys.
The former is described by the Duchess d'Abrantes,
who knew him intimately when child, as shaw
ing good health and in other respects he was like
other boys And she adds: My uncles have a |
thousand times assured me that Napoleon, in his
boyhood, had none Of that singularty of character
attributed TO him."
Sa~ They have some queer jurymen in Iowa.
few days since an old topper died rather sud-
denly. The coroner, in consequence, held an
inquest, listened to the testimony Of physician,
and was about rendering verdict "water on the
braln,' when Mr.. Slocum Hepplepodis riz to OBJ
lect. Mr.. Coroner, have known the deceased
Tor ten mortal years, and know he has never
seen sober moment in all that time. To say
that such man can die of "water on the BRAIN"
IS therefore id nonsense. 1t can't be did
Cause why? He never took any into his system.
Ihe true verdict, Mr.. Coroner, should be gin,
rum, or brandy on the brain; but, as / am viii
hing to split the difference, compromise, and
bring In verdict as follows: "Died from the
effects OF brandy and water on the BRAIN" The
compromise was agreed to, and the verdict is
part and parcel Of the recorded doings Of Iowa.
pennsylvania is.he headquarters of the doc
m lors and druggists She reioices in one thousand
h NN