Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-23


to look with satisfaction upon what the world
called his failures. Although the vessel de-
signed to be driven by q caloric engine, which
he completed at great expense about 1855. was
regarded as a dismal failure, he counted the
experience obtained as a net gain. In a letter
written eight years later, in the
m midst t of enjoying the
brought him. he wrote thus to friend. who
was close to his heart: THE satisfaction with
which place my head on the pillow at night.
conscious OF having through my little caloric
engine conferred great boon on mankind
though the full impor lance of that boon NAV
century-ls far greater than any satisfac-
ton that the production of an en-
CINE of war can give. The steam
engine uses water. which prevents its employ
ment in millions of cases requiring motors to
relieve human drudgery.
Ericsson was possessed of executive ability
to a marked extent When engaged in pushing
work to a conclusion he forgot to use the soft
answer which turneth away wrath. On such
occasions he blunt in speech impressing
every one so much with his earnestness that
each were influenced to work diligently and in
harmony with him.
The locomotive Novelty was designed and
complete In seven weeks-the Monitor in less
than 100 days.
Ericsson was endowed to a remarkable de-
dlspensable to a successful inventor. OF roman
tic temperament. in his earlier years he COM
posed verses ito the wonderful ana everlasting
midnight light of Norrland." He loved
nature, music and painting. He was famous
as all athlete, swimmer and skater. I'm
patient of routine. smsrting under discipline
with brain quick to conceive, a hand ready to
act any attempted list would omit many of his
important engineering conceptions.
AN ORIGINAL INVESTIGATOR.
While Ericsson believed in technical educa-
ton for others he never regretted that such
privileges had been denied him. To a friend
who asked him if he did not wish that he had
diploma from a chronological school Ericsson
replied: NO, 1t was very fortunate. Had
taken a course at such an institution / should
have acquired such a belief i'll authorities that
L should never have been able 10 develop
originality and make my own way in physics
and mechanics"
An employe long in his service thus describes
his personal peculiaries:
His manner with strangers was courteous
and extremely taking. He invariably made
friends and foes alike. With those i'll imme-
date contact with him in Carrying out his work
he was very popular He had few intimates
OF his own social level, and with these his man.
ner was very hearty, open and frank. To me.
from first to last. he was always gentle kind
and considerate. In his habits of life he was
frugal but he never considered money or
counted the cost of carrying out his mechani-
cal conceptions"
this city in 1874 which killed Secretary Gilman
of the Navy and Secretary of State Upshur
caused HIM much unhappines8 and induced
him to turn his attention to other channels for
a time.
LOVE FOR SWEDEN.
Ericsson always spoke of his native land with
pride. and although he did not return to it
after 1888 the friends of his youth who needed
pecunary assistance in his time of prosperity
were not forgotten.
When he met Ole Bull after a separation of
many years II is said that he was received with
a hearty Morse hug.
Tears filled his eyes when in 1S67 he heard tine
story of the starving Norselanders of Sweden
to whom he opened his purse TO the extent of
over 10000 crowns. 1t was a law in his house hold
that no one who asked for food should be
turned away.
In his later years. widower and childless
Ericsson lived the life OF recluse III his home
on Beach street. in New York city lie
avoided the society of those who consumed his
time, which he valued more than money-more
than fame.
INJUDICIOrs BIOGRAPHY.
If the memory of Ericsson shall suff err at all
it will be at the hands of such OF his biograph-
ers who claim that he originated more than he
really did. In this. however, they but
follow the example OF those who have attempted
to record the lives of Fulton and the Stephen
sons. But it Is difficult to write the life OF a
great engineer without becoming a hero wor-
shipper. While Ericssons success i'll many
things was extraordinary it should not be for
gotten that Trevithick had used the steam
blast i'll his high-pressure locomotive
twenty-five years before the Novelty was CON
structed, and John Stevens. who is now gem
orally admitted to have first succeeded IN gear
ing steam engine TO a propeller drove
his screw boat against the stream in New
York harbor thirty-fve years before the
Archimedes or the Stockton were
built. while Timby had patented
the revolving turret long before the first mont
tor was constructed and a royalty was paid to
HIM for every device of that kind used by our
navy. Nevertheless Ericsson justly earned the
reputation of being the most prolific inventor
OF his time, and what is more. he successfully
put many of his inventions to work to anne
liorate the condition of the human race The
loss OF his diary. which he had faithfully kept
for years. and which he ordered DESTROYED a
short time before his death, Is to be regretted
by every lover OF progress.