The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-05-28
Jaolso, tho coloroa ProfssSor.

there was an adjunct to the Chsmi-
cal Department, whose services should
not be forgotten. His name was
Jacko, negro; yes, q real negro. At
the time I made his acquaintance, he
regarded himself and DR.. Cooper, az
the only two men of science in the
State, and don't know that he was
wrong. Chemistry was in it's infancy
among us, and its few, but precious
secrets, like the secrets of Alchemy,
had been revealed only to one or two.
He vainly imagined himself and DR..
Cooper to be the Roger Bacon and
Paracelsus of the day. But the reader
! asks. who was Iackn? Al answer 10
this question will show that he was
introduced to the mysteries of the art
at very early period, and was, there
fore, not without some Just preten-
sion. Shortly after DR.. Smith, the
immediate predecessor of DIR. Cooper,
was put in charge of the Chemical
Department., Jacko was called into
his service. He was o hired slave,
but his rare qualities were soon ex-
hibited, and the Professor concluded
that he ought to be secured perma-
nently to the State. This could only
be done by purchase. DR.. Smith
made the suggestion accordingly in
1914, and it was referred to the Stand
ing Committee. In due time, the
Committee reported that they had
considered the propriety of purchas-
ing the negro Jacko, and were OF
opinion that the peculiar qualities of
the servant made it desirable that he
should be the property of the Col
lege, and attached to the Chemical
and Mathematical Departments; that
he was very useful, and that bis place
could not wel, be supplied. They re-
com .nendsd, therefore, that authority
be given to make the purchase. But
by no possibility must he be lost to
the College. Professor Smith ad-
dressed the Board second time, and
re-affirmed that he was peculiarly
qualified for the services of the in
stitution, but he feared he would
command high price. Jacko had
already attained distinction, but high
er honors were in reserve for him.
The Governor, by instructions of the
Board of Trustees, was to make him
the sui 'ct of special communica-
tion to TIE Legislature, and his name
and his fame were to be spread over
the broad surface of the State. Ac-
companying the message, was to be
statement from the Faculty, setting
forth his eminent qualities. Was ever
man more honored! He was to be
the property Of The Commonwealth; a
distinction gained by very few. and
having enough in it to satisfy the
most aspiring ambition. Jacko was
purchased. l will not attempt to give
IN detail his many illustrious services.
His genius led him to chemistry.
and his labors were in the labora-
tory. No doubt, he was largely pro-
fitted by association with the distin-
guished man who presided over the
department. during the latter years
OF his life. l cannot vouch for the
precise measure Of his attainnents,
but he was certainly a pretty good
manipulation. 1 know that he had
enthusiasm in the pursuit of science,
and that he believed himself a che
mist. It was his habit to deliver in
the Chapel, to the students, an occa-
sional lecture on his favorite branch,
and L have been among his hearers.
1t was known to the Faculty, was
never interfered with, and may there.
fore be said to have been fairly H.
censed. 1t was somewhat upon the
principle of the Roman Saturnalia.
when the utmost liberty was allowed,
and slaves were permitted to per-
sonify their masters, and make sport
of them. One of his themes I re-
member distinctly; it "The
constitution of the atmosphere.
The lecture was of good length,
pretty complete as far as I could
Judge it, and illustrated by expert
ment. The old alchemists, as we
read of them. were his models in
style. His language was obscure,
enigmatic, and gibberish. Nor is It
to be wondered at. that he followed
the example of the earliest alchemist.
whose name has come down to us-I
mean Geber, an Arabian Prince. from
whom DR.. Johnson supposes the
word gibberish or ge6erish, to have
been derived. That Jacko should
have been conceited, that he should
have reoorded bipo,olr ~ =