New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-29
A YONG MAN AT EIGHTY.
ERICsSON'S ACTIVITY AT FOUR SCORE.
THE VETERAN ENGINEER AT HIS HOME IN BEACH
STREET.

ERICSSON'S ACTIVITY AT FOUR SCORE.
THE VETERAN FNGINFER AT HIS HOME IN BEACH
STREET.
Beach-st twenty years ago would have shud-
dered had been TO look forward ana itself
u to-day Then II staid respectable thorough
fare demure and comfortable city houses which
just old enough to be- almost aristocratc and which
found side Of the street only while facing
them was q green-tnrfed park hled with grand
old trees. To-day most Of the old houses seem
TO be let ont In rooms IN families apparently
made up entirely OF small and uncleany children, while
here the tall waved their branches IN the
cool salty breeze coming mp the North diver there
Is now gaunt. blackcncd, ugly brick freight station.
one house, No. 80, however, has scarcely altered
during that Of years The tenant Who in 1864 or
Whereabouts. entered hts occupancy st eats sleeps
and carries on bis daily abors as II fashion had not
moved up year by year almost far rs Harlem. The
exterior wood work still freshly painted and brsky
scrubbed OF and the interior Is IN all respects
substantially the Tie tenant himself has altered
a. little his home. Twenty years ago Cap
tain Ericsson was a wonderfully preserved aud
intellectually well ~ physically vigorous man OF
sfxfy; to-day ne IL outwarly the FOR few
additional cray hairs Ia his crispB curling and charac-
erstlc hair and whiskers. Twenty years ago he was
dcyoung him elf for twelve hours day 20 the most
wearing Of all brain work. that Of practical inyen-
ton. today the round dozen working hours just
regularly employed
As the last day Of the present month viii be Captain
Erc-son's oglteth birthday TRIBUNE reporter called
uppu the engineer and scientist, the contemporary
and rival 81 Robert Stephenson o offer his congratua-
tons In the sparcly but handsomely furnished parors
on the ground oor be ound the object Of his visit the
strong personality OF whom was sirkugy apparent al
nrst glance sturdy. thok.et ngire rather bcoS the
medium ne ghf the face rddly that Of boy aud
clean shavon save FOR bushy sidc.whiskers slightly
tnccd with gray: % loose black br'alcoth coat bun
walstc0at carrcssly thrown open 80 As 10 show the
spocss unstarched shirt tho high collar Of which Gu
circcd the muscular nccs, aud an o!Hfashioned hgh
elk hat back OF his head lie was looking
ont o. the window opening the back yard as his visit
Tor entered shaking hands hospiiably he welcomed
Inn 10 voice the deep, massive tones OF which seemed
IN accord with his rugged frame Every attempt to turn
the conversation on TO personal topics failure the
veteran engineers moocsty being marked eharac-
tsrlstc a. his ndomiblc industry. The only reference
made 10 his own work a word calling attention
10 the sun engine IN process OF construction IN the
rear al which be had been looking when his visitor en-
tered of you wan. TO know WA. have been working
un lately YOU had ask my secretary said lie; " ho
knows Just as much aoout It do. Ny two principal
works during the past years have been the sun-motor
engine aud the Destroyer The latter Is, think,
an accomplished success and IN very short time the
former will be In working order" and the Captain
bus'Ied OF with a roll Of drawings under his arm, and
minute after giving directions III sIentOilan
tones TO the workmcn IA the back yarL
Seated IN the paror whose principal ornaments consist
of exquisite model. Of various inventions and philosoph-
zeal instruments constructed for solar investigation, aud
, TO the prolific mas cr.mnd. 'he AIRY who has
been win Captain Ericsson for over twenty years gave
a nrlcl but interesting account Oh INC Oe'oseh-lahs
Upon a granite shaft eighteen feet in height, which
IL font o miners hut near the langOanshyla
rou.works Ia Central Sweden Is carved tue following
inscription IN SWeediHh'