The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-02-16

Rev. Elijah kellogg, in his capital story
.sThc Spark of Genus,'' now being publish
ed in : Oliver Optics Magazine" relate
this funny incident and vouches Tor its truth
The extent to which theory often fails III
practice is furnished by Il venerated professor
a most distinguished mathematician, whose
works are still used as textbooks in many 81
our institutions, and which occurred within
the compass of our OWE experience.
lie went to Bethel on his return, he spent
the Sabbath al Lewiston. Monday morning,
he was told the horse was sick. Nevertheless
he started The horse went few rods, tel
down, and broke both thillS. He then sent
his wife home and also sent to Brunswick
for another horse and carriage to take him
and the broken chaise home.
When the driver came, they dashed the two
vehicles together and started. Al went We'll
till they came to the first long, steep hill be-
tween Lewiston and Brunswick: on its sum
mi; they held consultation. The professor
had an exaggerated idea OF his strength, and
said, MIR. Chandler. ii is too much for the
1 horse to hold these two carriages on this
steep descent; take the horse ont: will "ct
into the shafts.
'protessor." replied Chandler, the hrccoh-
ing is strong. ard 50 i, the arm @ith
But the horse, Mr.. Chandler; il is too
much for the horse Besides being stronger
L know how to take advantage OF lie descent,
and manage it much better than the horse"
If the horse can't hold il, You can't
''Do YOU. sir. intend to place me, in point
of intelligence, and knowledge Of mechanic
cal forces. below horse? havemade math-
ematics the study of Il lifetime
Il have no intention to be liSYespect!ul,
sir; but know that Z horse understands his
own business-Which is handling q ],al on
hill--betler than ali the professors in the
United States. | was sent mp here hy my
employer who conlides in me, to take care
of his property. if You will take the business
out OF my hands, nnd he horse Yourself, you
must be answerablc for the consequences.
The professor had Il habit, when Il little
excited, of giving u nervous twitch at the
lapel Of his coat with his right hand
a." he replied, with 4 most emphatic
twitch. ''assume all responsibility"
The driver in reality nothing loah to wit
ness the operation, took ont the horse and
held him by the bride; and the professor,
getting into the shafts, took hold OF Them at
the ends. The forward carriage was Just
descending the hill. and the hinder one u
little over the summit, W hen the professor
trod upon rolling stone, which caused him
TO plunge forward, and Increased the yeloc-
ity OF his load SO much that he was forced to
walk faster than he desired. and exchange
the slanting position with his shoulders
thrown wei back, and his feet braced which
he had al first adopted, !or 4 perpendicular
one. AT length he was pushed INTO n run
the carriages were going at 4 fearful rate
AT the bottom OF the hill was brook; on
each side, precipitou- banks. The profess
or Between Scvlla and Ehalybodi~ Going
nine feet at a leap In order to cramp the
forward wheel, he turned suddenly to tn
right. The shafts Of the forward carriage
went two feet into the bank, breaking both
of them short off; the In shingS of thn hinder
one slipped; ii ran into the forward one
breaking the fender; and both vehicles turn
ed over down hill, with Il tremendous crash, |
the learned gentleman describing paraboIt |
one OF his favoritc figures, and landing some
rods away. lie rose from the earth u dir
tier and wiser man knees skinned. pants torn,
4 piece of Skin knocked OF his forhead, and
his hest hat flat rs 4 pancake underneath the
the hind carriage; and. looking round. OK
claimed:
is it possible could have been 50 mucb
deceived rs to the momentum II was pro
digious :"
Il don't know anything about momen
tum,' replied Chandler; ''but know some
thing about horses. | know il makes
mighty difference about holding back a load
on a steep hill whether the horse has two |
legs or four, and whether he weighs hun
dred and scycntv-live or twelve hunare1
pounds
II cost the professor thirty-soyrn dollars
and fifty cents to ascertain how much hors"
power he represented