Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1861-05-07
George Wilson.

A few years since, as Mr.. Gallaudet was
walking in the streets Of Hartford, there
came running up to him a poor boy, of
very ordinary appearance, but whose fine
intelligent eye fixed the attention Of the
gentleman as the boy inquired:
SIR, can you tell you me of man who
would like boy to work for him aud Learn
him to read !?
'Whosei boy are you. and where do you
liver
i have no parents was the reply, and
have just run away from the work house
because they would not teach, me to read =
The gentlemen made Arrangements with
the authorities Of the town, and took the
boy into his family. There he learned to
read. Nor was this ali. He soon acquired
the confidence CT his new associates bv
fRithfulness and honesty.
He was allowed to use his friends libra
~, and made rapid progress in the acaui-
sition of knowledge. 1t became necessa-
ry after while that George should leave
Mr.. Gallaudet, and he became apprentice
to o cabinet-maker in the neighborhood =
There the same integrity won for him the
favor OF his new associates.
To crafty his inclination for study, his
master had a room furnished for him in
the upper part of the shop, where he devo-
ted his leisure time to his favOrite our
suits. Here he made large attachments in
mathematics, in the French language, aud
other branches. After being in this situa-
ton few years, sitting at tea with the
family one evening be all OF once remark
ed that he wanted to go to France.
Go to France |" said his master, sur
prised that the apparently contenied ard
happy youth should thus suddenly become
dissatisfied with his situation-'f for what p
Ask Mr.. Gallaudet to tea Tomorrow
evening" continued George. aud will ex-
plain
His kind friend was invited accordingly.
At tea time the apprentice presented
himself with his manuscript, in English
and French, and explained his singular
intention to go to France.
In the time Of Naroleou,' said he, q
prize was offered by the French govern
ment for the simplest rule of measuring
plain surfaces, of whatever outline The
prize has never been awarded, and that
method l have discovered
lie then demonstrated his problem, to the
surprise and qualification of his friends.
who Immediately furnished him with the
means of defrayiug his expenses and with
letters of introduction to Hon. Lewis
Csss, then our minister to the Court of
France.
He was introduced to Louis Phillippe,
and in the presence Of the king, mobiles and
plenipotentiaries, this American youth
demonstrated his problem, and received
the plaudits of the court. He received the
prize, which he had clearly won, besides
several presents from the king.
lie then took letters ofintroduction, and
proceeded TO the court of St. James and
took up similar prize, offered by the
Royal Society, and returned to the United
States.
He was preparing to secure the benefits
OF his discovery by patent, when he receiv.
ed letter from the Emperor Nicholas
himself, one of whose ministers witnessed
his demonstrations at London, inviting him
to make his residence at the Russian Court
and FURNISHING him with ample means TOR
his outfit.
lie complied with the invitation. repair-
ed to ST. Petersburg. and is now Professor
OF Mathematics in the Royal College,
under the special protection of the auTo.
erat of all the Russias !-Jownal of Com
OgeFee,