The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-12-20
ARTS, SCIENCES. ETC.

of the diameter Of the circle to its circ1mfer-
ence. Archimedes found that it was nearly as
to y, and this ancient solution is very useful
for ordinary purposes. Later researches brought
1T at length to such a point of precision that it
would DC idle to seek any further, tho ratio
being as unit to 3-1415926, with continue
that any attempt to make the diameter go ex-
actly into the length of the circumference, or
to represent their ratio by an exact fraction, is
simply ridiculous. AS such q solution were it
possible, would enable to make a square
containing the exact surface of a circle, this
problem Is commonly known under the name of
quadraturc OF the circle. At recent sitting
OF the Academy of Sciences, says Galignani, the
perpetual secretary announced that news
Paper had recently revived an old story, to the
effect that the Academy was in possession of a
considerable sum bequeathed to it as n reward
for any person who might discover the quadra-
ture of the circle. He, therefore, suggested
the propriety of again publishing the decision
the Academy came to in 1875, of never more
deyoting tho slightest attention to the solu-
tons that might be sent in of the following
problems The duplication of the cube, the tri-
of a machine, and the qaadrature of the circle.
1t justiiind this course regards the latter, by
renarkinS that many weak-minded persons,
utterly ignorant of mathematics, and laborine
under the impression that large sums were
ready to be handed over to them in case they
succeeded in solving that problem, devoted
their time to it, utterly negecting their regular
business and the interest of their families, and
even occasionally losing their reason by follow
ing such a vain pursuit. NJ Bertrand stated
that the belief in the promise of large prizes
had been propagated by very serious works.
The Geographic Generate" for instance, had
stated that NJ. Rouille de Meslay had left the
Academy 10, 00Of for that purpose. He stated
that In the eighteenth century an inventor of
the auadrature actually summoned D'Alembert
before the Parliament in order to recover that
sum.-Loadon Building Ne,rs.
TRIAL OF VELocIPEDEs.-On Saturday, the |
,hnr n1 of~ 49,
place in New York, at the armory of the 22d |
regiment, in Fourteenth street. Four different |
makers were represented. Two of the veloci- |
pedes were of the French STYLE high and awk-
ward to mount. The one generally conceded to |
be the best was an American design, embracing
several improvements upon the French ma
machines were performed by the exhibitors.
Among the most notable Of these was one in
which they all took part, to show the applica-
Diiity OF these vehicles to military service
Scientific american.
ELECTRIC LIGHr.-The world surely moves
1t will not be long before gas will be regarded
Is too dim light, and probably be looked
lpon with as much contempt as are now the
'andles and oil lamps of the past. A New York
ournal, speaking of this wonderful discovery
II the new use for electricity says, "The other
light the French steamer st. Laurent lit up
he whole bay of New York and the Hudson
l YER with an effulgence scarcely less bright
han monday, and everybody wondered. Our
Wonder is that the thing should not have been
Illumination that can be seen for thirty five
niles distant, and will pierce the densest fog
one single light-tower, carefully arranged,
I urk. small light, the size of a pea, would
10 for the largest cdfice on earth. A writer
ouid carry his own light with him, at night
N the top of his pen-holder. Outside the knob
II hlscane would serve an equal purpose.
WAGES OF SKILLED LABoRERs-The market
-alue of skilled and educated labor in some de-
'arfments OF mechanics is enormous. In the
factories of Pittsburg the i" blow
rS and . flattcrs" receive as high as two hum
lred and fifty dollars per month, while few
II the most slillful often receive us high as
wenty dollars per day for their services. Some
II tic "melters" in steel works receive from
Wenty to t.eeat y-twe- dollars
ilverers, in works where the largest and most
XPensive mirrors are required receive very
ugh wages. In fact, it is said that there are
ot half Il dozen of the really proficient in this
lass of work lnen in the United States Not
ne in Il hundred of those who make the at
I proficiency in this business to turn out first
lass work. The skill in both glass-silverinp
nd steel-melting is in the quick and proper
PERCEPTION of the eye. The same remarks are {
lso true of die-cutters for type-founders. !
THE ELEMENTS OF SUCcEss-Success ia the
rue criterion of ability Though often won !
without merit, and lost without dishonor men .
erslst IN thinking they are indissolubly CON
innate accident may raise drone to eminence
gain for dizziness brilliant position, yet g
reat- achieNements are the result only of work @
nd exalted merit
Some men gather rags aud dirt from the
treets others build cities, found empires and :
eyoiutIonize the world. One earns his bread !
y the hardest toll, and feels happy if night
nds him sheltered from the cold and The .
torn; another plans adventures which yields
I'm millions, or directs the course of squad
ons on'seas thousands of miles away. Both q
re men-nothing more nothing less. Each
as bones, nerves, muscles; and perhaps, in all I
mystical respects, the picker is the su perior
the merchant. Whence, then, this differ e
ng animal; the other has called into exercise 7
is higher faculties, that sublime intclligenc +
Thlch controls events, sees the end from the
eglnning, and mouldS the future to its will 7
To achieve success in any pursuit, there =
lust be mind to plan and energy to execute 7
Without these, man is like n ship without a !
9dder, tossed about by chance and uncertainty.