Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-06-01
Written for The Phoenix.
"Reminiscences.
No. X.

One evening in the autumn Of 1887, a carriage pro-
PEELED by nm unseen power, with two gentlemen sent
ed therein passed rapidly through the streets of this
village. The movements Of this strange looking We
hcle seemed to be perfectly under the control of its
occupants. 1t would go up and down hill with ap-
parent ense, and occupied much less space when turn
ing around to go the opposite direction than com
mon carriage drawn by horse. These gentlemen
surprised hotel keepers of the day by stopping before
their doors in carriage which needed no attention Of
the hostler. But they soon saw that this novel con-
trivance was steam carriage adapted for use on COM
mon roads, and what still more wonderful, II was
made in this village by that able and noted though
unpretending mechancian, Mr. John Gore, who bad,
in his quet way, for years been contributing his share
to bud up the fortunes and fame of Bmttleboro. He
had for some years been engaged in the manufacture
of stationary steam engines and boilers, which were
mostly sent abroad and he had also made engines and
boilers for some Of the later steamboats, used in freight
ing Connecticut river II there had been no prob.
ability of railroads to this place he would am in
formed, have made steamboat an improved plan,
better adapted to the peculiar difficulties of naviga-
ton on Connecticut river than any heretofore con-
structed.
After a few trial trips md excursions with this
steam carriage, he met with a serious objection to this
mode of travelling. He liable to action for dam
ages DkelN 10 occur from frightened horses, who al
most universally showed their disapprobaton Of this
innovation. To make this method practical in the
community horses must be dispensed with entirely.
Like all progressive men of the past, Mr.. G. found
the world too far behind him for his aspirations,
fore he pbosophically yielded to circumstances he
conld not control, by shutting down the damper and
extinguishng the Are for the last time. He is now
building mowing-machnes, so improved by him We
learn they are superior to any in the market for land
of uneven surface.
IN the year 1928, Mr. Samuel Z. Foster, a machnst
in this place ut that time originated great improve
ment in paper making called the pulp dresser" This
improvement caused the discharge Of 10 workmen in
the first papermll where it introduced. This in
vention is now used in all paper mills, and is consid-
rcr from Massachusetts told me ''the man who invent
cd the pulp dresser ought to have 100000" But
Mr. Foster, like the majority Of great inventors,
born to benefit the human generally rather than
him elf. and has received equivalent for this
ter NO Of his genius. This invention not only con.
lerred lasting benefit universal civilization by
cheapenng the price of paper, but caused the perma
nent establishment OF manufactory of paperIua
chinerv which has been in successful operation in this
place over thirty years.
In nothing does man make an approach to Divine
attributes so much as in the art of construction. DR.
Franklin, when printer in PHILADELPHIA, was told hI
could not be admitted to ball or party because the
rules excluded all mechanics. Franklin said he con
sidered exclusion from their company greater homo
than admitiance to it, and was willing TO remain ont
side their doors with God, the greatest mechanic il
existence
We know not why those drones Of society and gid
ed flies OF fashion are needfn in the great machinery
Of the Almighty, any more than we know why inf
mite wisdom has created mosquitoes squash bues
curcuios. But we do know there is propriety II
reserving all and consideration for hos
mortals who do nothing but fatten on the avails o
others industry, and
"Can give why they are born,
But merely to consume the corn,
Devour the cattle, fowl and fish,
And leave behind the empty dish"
The great practical genius who has crippled with tn
elements till he has brought forth forms of beauty
utility single banded and nlone, contributed more Il
the welfare and happiness of the than all tn
kings, priests and b0ated arisocncy that exist
ed, has been called in the halls Of Congress 'mud
| sill of society" Little did that learned fool from
South Carolina know Of the great moral and physical
power OF nation Of mechanics, when ne pointed hi
white, tapercd finger Of contempt at northern indps
| try. Combined Europe would have fallen before TIN
bayonefs Of Napoleon J. bad England that great work
shop of the world been left ont of the contest.
| However indispensable agriculture is to exis
tenee, political economists have long since decide,
that nation exclusively agricultural must fail in
contest with manufacturing nation of equal mum
bers. Dr. Oliver W. Holmes understood this matte
at the commencement Of the late rebellion, when b.
peDned the following lines, in 1851:
"The Lord have mercy on the weak,
And calm their frenzied ire,
And save onr brethren they Shrek
We played with Northern fret"
OBSERVER