Scientific American Supplement, No. 586, March 26, 1887 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 131 pages of information about Scientific American Supplement, No. 586, March 26, 1887.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 586, March 26, 1887 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 131 pages of information about Scientific American Supplement, No. 586, March 26, 1887.
advantage his surroundings, whatever they might be.  Having been for some slight breach of discipline required to bestride a gun in the campus for a short time, he saw, to his dismay, coming down the walk the beautiful daughter of Dr. Foster Swift, a young lady who, visiting West Point, had taken the hearts of the cadets by storm, and who, little as he may at the time have dreamed it, was destined to become his future wife.  Pulling out his handkerchief, he bent over his gun, and appeared absorbed in cleaning the most inaccessible parts of it with such vigor as to be entirely unaware that any one was passing; nor did the young lady dream that a case of discipline had been before her until in after years, when, on a visit to West Point, an explanation was made to her by her husband.

It was at this time of his life that the refinement and taste for which Major Whistler was ever after noted began to show itself.  An accomplished scientific musician and performer, he gained a reputation in this direction beyond that of a mere amateur, and scarcely below that of the professionals of the day.  His sobriquet of “Pipes,” which his skill upon the flute at this time gave him, adhered to him through life among his intimates in the army.  His skill with the pencil, too, was something phenomenal, and would, had not more serious duties prevented, have made him as noted an artist as he was an engineer.  Fortunately for the world this talent descended to one of his sons, and in his hands has had full development.  These tastes in Major Whistler appeared to be less the results of study than the spontaneous outgrowth of a refined and delicate organization, and so far constitutional with him that they seemed to tinge his entire character.  They continued to be developed till past the meridian of life, and amid all the pressure of graver duties furnished a most delightful relaxation.

Upon completing his course at the Military Academy he was graduated, July 1, 1819, and appointed second lieutenant in the corps of artillery.  From this date until 1821 he served part of the time on topographical duty, and part of the time he was in garrison at Fort Columbus.  From November 2, 1821, to April 30, 1822, he was assistant professor at the Military Academy, a position for which his attainments in descriptive geometry and his skill in drawing especially fitted him.  This employment, however, was not altogether to his taste.  He was too much of an artist to wish to confine himself to the mechanical methods needed in the training of engineering students.  In 1822, although belonging to the artillery, he was detailed on topographical duty under Major (afterward Colonel) Abert, and was connected with the commission employed in tracing the international boundary between Lake Superior and the Lake of the Woods.  This work continued four years, from 1822 to 1826, and subsequent duties in the cabinet of the commission employed nearly two years more.

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Scientific American Supplement, No. 586, March 26, 1887 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.