The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-06-08

He was also deeply read in metaphysics,
and wrote and published in the old Dem
ocratic Review for 1916, an article on the
Natural Proof of Deity" that for
beauty of language, depth of reasoning,
versatility of illustration, and compactness
of logic, has never been equaled. The
only other publication which at that
period he had made, was book that as
tonished all OF his friends, both in title
and execution. 1t Was called ''The Des-
peradoes Of the West" and purported to
give minute details of the lives of some of
the most noted and blood stained villains
in the Western States. But the book be-
lied its title. 1t lis full OF splendid
description and original thought No
eloquent passages and such gorgeous
imagery, in the same space. His plea for
Immortality, on beholding the execution
of one of the most noted culprits Of Arkan-
sas, has no parallel in any living Ian
guage for beauty Of diction and power of
thought. As my sole object in this COM
munication is to defend myself, some ac-
quaintance with the mental resources of
Summeriield is absolutely indispensable;
for his death was the immediate conse-
quence of his splendid attainments. OF
chemistry he was a complete master He
describes it in his youngest Daughter of
the Sciences, born amid flames, and
Graded in rollers of fire" If there were
any one science to which he was more
specially devoted than any and all others,
it was chemistry. But he really seemed
an adept in all, and shone about every
where with equal luSter.
Many of these characteristics were men
toned by Judge Wheeler at the time of
Summerlield's visit to Galveston, but
others subsequently came to my knowl-
edge, alter his retreat to Brownsville, on
the banks of the Rio Grande. There he
filled the position of Judge OF the District
Court, and such was his position Just pre-
vious to his arrival in this city in the
month of September Of the past year,
One day toward the close Of last Sep
tember, an old man raped at my office
door, and on invitation came in, and ad-
vancing, called me by name. Perceiving
that | did not at first recognize him, he
introduced himself as Gregory Summer
field After inviting him to seat |
scrutinized his features more closely and
quickly identified him as the same person
whom had met twenty-five years before
He was greatly altered in appearance, but
the lofty forehead and the gray eye were
still there. unchanged and interchangeable.
He was not quite so stout but more ruddy
in complexion and exhibited some symp-
toms, as | then thought. Of Incorporate
drinking. Still there was the old charm
of intellectual superiority in his converse
ton, and | welcomed him to California rs
an important addition TO her mental
wealth.
1t was not many minutes before he re-
quested a private interview. He followed
me into my back office, carefully closed
the door after him and locked it. We had
scarcely seated ourselves before he in
quired OF me ''if had noticed any recent
articles in the newspapers respecting the
discovery of the art of decomposing water
so as to fit it for use rs q fuel for ordinary
purposes ~
| replied that had observed nothing
new upon that subject since the expert
ments of Agassil and Professor Henry.
and added that in my opinion the cXpen-
sive mode of reduction would always pre-
vent its use.
In Il few words he then informed me
that he had made the discovery that the
art was extremely simple, and the eX-
pcnse attending the decomposition so
slight rs to be insignificant.
Presuming then that the object of his
visit to me was to procure the necessary
forms to get out patent for the right, L
congratulated him upon his good fortune,
and was about to branch forth with 4 de
scription of some of the benefits that must
ensuc to the community, when he sud
denly and somewhat mcivilly requested
me TO ''be sicnt,n and listen to what he
had to say.
He began with some general remarks
about the inequality of fortune amongst
mankind, and inslanccd himself as a
striking example of the fate Of those men
who, according to all the rules of right,
ought to be near the top, instead of at
the foot of the ladder of fortune. "But,
said he, springing to his feet with impuls-
i've energy, II have now the means at
my command Of rising superior to fate
or of inhcting incalcu liable ills upon the
whole human race"
Looking at him more closely, thought
l could detect in his eye the gleam OF
madness; but l remained silent and
awaited further developments. But my
scrutiny, stolen as it was, had been de
tected, and he replied at once to the cX-
preston of my face. mo sir; l am
neither drunk nor 4 maniac; l am in
deep earnest in all that | say; and am
fully prepared by actual experiment, to
demonstrate beyond all doubt the truth of
all claim"
For the first time | noticed that he car
,.;aJ :, c,,,alI ,,prtp,aOtaan in his hand
this he placed upon the table, unlocked
umes, phamphlet OF two, and small,
square wide-mouthed phial, hermetically
sealed.
watched him with profound curiosity,
and took note Of his slightest movements.
Having arranged his books to suit him
and placed the phial in !; conspicuous po-
sition, he drew up his char very closely
to my own, and uttered in a half Kissing
tone: Il demand one million dollars
for the contents of that bottle; and you
must raise it for me in the city OF San
Francisco within one month, Or scenes
too terrible even for the imagination to
conceive will surely be witnessed by
every living human being on the face Of
the globe"
The tone, the manner. and the absurd
extravaganza Of the demand, excited 4
faint smile upon my lips, which he OBJ
served, but disdained to notice.
My mind was fully made up that | had
q maniac to deal with, and prepared to
act accordingly. But l ascertained at
once that my inmost thoughts were real
by the remarkable man before me, ard
seemed to be anticipated by him in al
vance of their expression.
"Perhaps," said l, ''Mr. Symmetrical,
you would oblige me by informing me
fully Of the grounds Of your claim, and
the nature OF your discovery ?"
"That is the object of my VISIT he re-
piled. 81 claim to have discovered the
key which unlocks the constituent gasses
of water, and frees each from the en-
brace OF the other, at a single touch"
"You mean to assert" reioined, that
you can make water burn itself up ?'
Nothing more nor less" he respond
ed. "except this-to insist upon the con-
sequences of the secret, if my demand
be not at once complied with"
Then, witout pausing for moment 10
allow me to make suggestion, as once
or twice attempted to do, he proceeded
in clear and deliberate manner, il