Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-22
THEORY VS.. PRACTICE.
A Professor Deceived by the NC
menfum.

iho heF. EiiJhh heioRg, IN MS cap
tai story, The Spark Of Genius, relate
this funny incident, and vouches for il
truth:
The extent to which theory often fail
in practice is furnished by aavenerate
professor, most distinguished math,
matician, whose works are still used q
textbooks in many of our institution
and which occurred within the compass
of our own experience. l
He went to Bethel On his return h
spent the Sabbath at Lewiston. Monda
morning he was told the horse was sick
Nevertheless, he started. The horse wen
a few rods, fell down, and broke bot
thills. He then sent his wife home, an,
also sent to Brunswick for another hors
and carriage to take him and the broker
chaise nome.
When the driver came they lashed tn,
two vehicles together and started AL
went well till they came to the first long
steep hill between Lewiston and Bruins
wick; on its summit they held consul
tation. The Professor had an exagger
ated idea of his strength, and said "Mr
Chandler, it is too much for the horse t.
hold these two carriages on this steer
descent; take the horses out; / will ge
into the shafts.
2" Professor" replied Chandler, the
breeching is strong, and so is the arm
girth.
" But the horse, Mr.. Chandler. 1t is
too much for the horse. Besides being
strong, ] know how to take advantage
of the descent, and manage it much
better than the horse"
If the horse can't hold it, you
can't"
Do you, sir, intend to place me, in
point of intelligence and knowledge OF
mechanical forces, below horse? | have
made mathematics the study Of life
time"
l have no intention to be disrespect-
ful, sir, but know that horse under
stands his own business (which is hand
ling load on hill) better than all the
professors in the United States. / was
sent up here by my employer, who con-
tides in me to take care of his property.
If you will take the business out Of my
hands, and be horse yourself, you must
be answerable for the consequences"
The professor had habit, when lit
tie excited, Of giving nervous twitch at
the lapel of his coat with his right
hand.
he replied with most emphatic
witch, assume all responsibility
The driver, inreality nothing 10th to
witness the operation, took out the horse
and held him by the bridle; and the pro-
lessor, getting into the shafts, took hold
of them at the ends. The forward car
riage was just descending the hill, and
the hinder one little.over the summit,
when the professor trod upon a rolling
stone, which caused him to plunge for
ward, and increased the velocity of his
oad so much that he was forced to walk
aster than'he desired, and exchange the
slanting position with his shoulders
brown well back, and his feet braeed-
which he had at first adopted, for a per-
one. Atlength he was pushed
nto run; the carriages were going at a
earful rate. HtI
AT the bottom of the hill was a brook,
IN each side precipitous banks. The |
was between Scylla and Chary-
,dis, going nine feet at a leap. In order
o cramp the forward wheel, he turned |
to the right. The shafts of the |
Onward carriage went two feet into the |
,ank, breaking both of them short off;
he lashings of the hinder one slipped;
t ran into the forward one, breaking the
ender, and both vehicles turned over at
he bottom Of the hill with tremendous
rash, the learned gentleman describing
parabola-one of his favorite figures
nd landing some rods away. He rose
rom the earth dirtier and wiser man;
nees skinned, pants torn, piece of
kin knocked off his forehead and his
est hat fiat as pancake, underneath
ne hind carriage, and looking round
bout him exclaimed:
" Is it possible | could have been so
luch deceived as to the momentum? 1t
as prodigious?"
" | don't know anything about momen-
I'm, exclaimed Chandler, "but know
about horses. | know it
lakes a mighty difference about holding
ack a load on steep hill whether the
orse has two legs or four, and whether
e weighs hundred and seventy-fye or
yelve hundred pounds.
It cost the Professor thirty-seven dol
Irs and fifty cents to ascertain how .
Iuch horsepower he represented.