Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 March 1894 — Sudden Fame. [ARTICLE]

Sudden Fame.

About forty years ago, when Dr. Bence Jones was a leader and a great authority among the scientific organizations of England, he received a letter from Germany, saying: “You English are the oddest people. Here, to our laboratories, comes every year a young Irish schoolmaster called Tyndall, with the quickest brain, the most honest capacity for research I have ever seen. Would that our German youths were run from the same mold! “This brilliant young fellow has never received the smallest recognition from English men or institutions, and he tells me to-day that, quite disheartened at last, he is preparing to emigrate to America.” Tyndall went through London, not long afterward, to make preparations for visiting America, and Doctor Jones took care to meet him. He fell at once under the spell of his wonderful talents, and determined to bring him to public notlca “I won’t take any middle course,” he said. “I think you can leap to the top at once. I shall announce that you will lecture at the Royal Institution.” The announcement was made, and all London trooped to hear “Bence Jones’ wild Irishman.” As the great physician drove his protege down to the hall, he suddenly exclaimed: “But, Tyndall, where are your notes?” “Notes?” was the reply. “I haven’t any notes. ” “No notes!” rejoined the other, almost in agony. “Do you realize that you are not going to address a parcel of Irish gossoons, but an audience of famous experts on your own subject?” Tyndall smiled. “Well,” said he, “I’m afraid it’s too late now.” The hall was crowded. All the leaders of science were present. Tyndall, who had never lectured before, stepped into the famous tribune, smiled, bowed, and poured forth the results of his marvelous experiments without faltering or pausing. He closed his address in the midst of wild applause; he had become in a single night a famous lecturer.— Youth’s Companion.