The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-10-24
GEORGE Wilson.


was walking in the streets of Hartford
there came running to him q poor boy. OF
very ordinary appearance, but whose Eue
intelligent eye fixed the attention o! the
gentleman as the boy inquired
"Sir. can you tell ne of man who
would like boy to work for him and
learn him to readl"
"Who.e boy are you, and where DO
you lise!'
II have no parents" was the reply,
"and have just run away from the work
house, because they would not teach ne
to read"
The gentleman made arrangements
with the authorities of the town, and took
the boy in bis own family. There be
learned to read. Nor was this all. He
soon acquired the confidence of bis new
associates by faithfulpess and honesty
He was allowed to use his friend library,
and made rapid progress in the-acqui.i-
tiop of knowledge. 1t became necessary
after a while that Georse should leave
Mr.. Gallaudet, and be became appreu-
ticed to a cabinet maker 10 the neighbor
hood. There the same integrity won for
him the favor of new associates To
CRAFTY his inclination for study, bis mas
ter had little room furnished for bin
10 the upper part of the shop, where he
devoted his leisure time to his fsyorite
pursuits. Here he made large attain
ments in matbem aties, in the French Ian
guage and other branches. After being
in this situation few year, sitting at tea
With the family one evening, be all at
once remarked that he wanted to 90 to
France.
"Go to Francel" said his master, SUR
prised that the apparently contented and
happy youth should thus suddenly be-
come dissatisfied with his situation; for
what!"
"Ask Mr.. Gallaudet to tea to morrow
evening continued George, "and will
explain"
His kind friend was invited according
ly. At tea time tbe apprentice presented
himself with his manuscripts, in English
and French, and explained bis singular
wish to 90 to France.
"Iu the time of Napoleon" said be,
"a prize was offered By the French gov
ernment for the simplest rule of measur
ing place surfaces of whatever outline. -
The prize has never been awarded, and
that method [ have di.coVered"
He then demonstrated his problem. to
the surprise and gratifcation of bis
friends, who mediately furnished bin
with the means cf defraying his expen-
ses, and with letters oiintroduction to the
Hon. Lewis Cass, then our minister to the
court of France. He was introduced to
Louis Phillip, and in the presence of the
king. mobiles. and penipOtentiaries, this
American youth demonstrated bis prob
lem, and received the plaudits in the
court. He received the prize, which he
had clearly won, besides several presents
from the king.
He took letters of introduction, and
proceeded to the Court of St James, and
took up similar prize, offerd by the
Royal Society, and returned to the Uni
ted States.
He was prepared to secure the benefits
of bis discovery by patent, wbeu he re
ccived letter from the Emperor Nicho-
] as himself. one of whose ministers had
witnessed bis demonstrations at London,
inviting him to make his residence at the
Russian Court. and furnishing him with
means for biz outfit.
He complied with the invitation, re-
paired to St. Petersburgb, and is now
Professor of Mathematics in the Royal
College, under the special protection of
all the Russias!-JournaLg Of Cam.