Ellery, William, 1727-1820 to George Wanton Ellery
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02300.14 Author/Creator: Ellery, William, 1727-1820 Place Written: Newport, Rhode Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 12 November 1805 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 21 cm, Width: 17 cm Order a Copy
Written to his son at Captain Barney's School in Wickford, Rhode Island. Comments on George's experience seeing the invisible lady, an acoustical illusion of the Enlightenment that appeared to trick the senses by transforming mundane voices into divine utterances. Reassures his son that their is more reality than magic in the device, and explains that it is the invisible lady's inscrutable mode of operation that makes it a popular curiosity. Explains his point through an oppositional example, telling the story of how Christopher Columbus balanced an egg on its small end by using an obvious solution. Praises George for writing without spelling errors and reminds him of the value of his hand writing and arithmetical skills to his future career. A Member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1785, William Ellery was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was Collector of the Port of Newport from 1790 until 1820.
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