Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-02-24

passed some years in the Universities of
Leipsic and Gottingen. continued his stu
dies in the College of France. under Bris-
son and D'Aubanton gained the friend
ship of Button; visited the Ali ps and the
lAppennines and, finally, returned to his
native land, stored with rich and varied
learning.
He was speedily invited by nobleman
to take charge of the education of his son.
Afterwards. the Government wished to
profit by his talents; and Staszic. from
grade to grade, was raised to the highest
posts and the greatest dignities. His eco
nomical habits made him rich. Five hun
dred serfs cultivated his lands. and he
possessed large sums of money placed at
interest. When did any man ever rise
very far above the rank in which he was
born, without presenting mark for envy
and detraction to aim their arrows against?
Mediocrity always avenges itself by ca
lumny; and so Staszic found it. for the
good folks of Warsaw were quite ready
to attribute Ill bis actions to sinister mo-
tives.
A group Of idlers had paused close to
where the students were standing. All
looked at the minister, and every one had
something to say against him.
"Who would ever think" cried a mo-
BILE, whose gray moustaches and old FASH
ioned costume recalled the era of King
Sigismund, ''that he could be minister
of state /? Formerly. when Palatin ira
versed the capital, a troop of horsemen
both preceded and followed him. Soldiers
dispersed the crowds that pressed to look
at him. But what respect can be felt for
an old miser, who has not the heart to af-
ford himself coach, and who eats piece
of bread in the streets, just as beggar
would do?''
His heart," said a priest. lis as hard
as the iron chest in which he keeps his
gold; a poor man might die of hunger at
his door, before he would give him aims" "
"He has worn the same coat for the
last ten years. remarked another.
HE sits on the ground for tear wear
ing out his chairs" chimed in a saucy-
looking lad, and every one joined in a
mocking laugh.
A young pupil Of one of the public
schools had listened in indignant silence
to these speeches, which cut him to the
heart; and at length, unable to restrain
himself, he turned towards the priest and
said:,
"A man distinguished for his generosi-
ty ought to be spoken of with more respect.
What does it signify to us how be dresses,
or what he eats. if he makes a noble use
Of his fortune?"
''And pray what use does be make of
it?"
The Academy of Sciences wanted q
place for library, and had not funds to
hire one. Who bestowed on them a mag
nifcent palace? Was it not Staszic 2"
"Oh! Yes, because he is as greedy of
praise as of gold"
POLAND esteems as her chief glory the
man who discovered the laws Of the side
raj movement. Who was it that raised
to him a monument worthy of bis renown
calling the chisel of Canova to honour
the memory of Copernicus p
1T was Staszic." replied the priest,
''and so all Europe honours for it the
generous senator. But, my young friend,
is it not the light Of the MONDAY sun that
ought to illumine Christian charity. If
you want really to know man. watch the
daily course of his private life. This os-
tentatious miser, in the books which he
publishes groans over the lot of the peas
antry, and in his vast domains he employs
five hundred miserable serfs. 60 some
morning to his house-there you will find
a poor woman beseeching with tears cold
proud man who repulses her. That man
is Staszic--that woman his sister, Ought
not the naughty giver of palaces, the
builder OF pompous statues, rather to en-
ploy himself in protecting his oppressed
serfs, and relieving bis destitute relative2"
The young man began to reply. but no
one would listen to him. Sad and defect
ed at hearing one who had been to him a
true and generous friend so spoken of, he
went to his humble lodging.
Next morning he repaired at an early
hour to the dwelling of his benefactor
There he met woman weeping and lam
enting the inhumanity of her brother.
This confirmation of what the priest
had said. inspired the young man with a
fixed determination. It was Staszic who
bad placed him at college. and supplied
him with the means of continuing there
Now, he would reject his gifts-he would
not accept benefits from man who could
look unmoved athis own sisters tears.
The learned minister seeing his favor
ite pupil enter did rot desist from his oc-
cupation. but. continuing to write, said to
him:
We'll. Adolphe, what can do for you
to-day? If you want books. take them
out of my library; or instruments order
them, and send me the bill. Speak to
me freely, and tell me if you want any
thing.' 80
''On the contrary, sir. come to thank
you for your past kindness. and to say
that I must in future decline receiving
your gifts"
''You are, then, become rich p
Il am as poor as ever"
land your college -
! II must leave it,