Page:Matthew Fontaine Maury 1806-1873.pdf/11

 him in the study of mathematics; the fall from dizzy heights led from the plough-handles to the open door of Harpeth Academy—the school rescued him from the farm to render him the more potential friend of the farmer and of mankind.

At Harpeth Academy, the Principal, Rev. James H. Otey, afterwards Bishop of Tennessee, and his assistant, William C. Hasbrouck, later an eminent lawyer of New York, recognized the rare gifts and high character of the young student and became his life-long friends and mentors.

Upon the death in 1824 of Lieutenant John Minor Maury after an eighteen years' career of active service and thrilling adventure, the face of his father was steadfastly set against midshipman's warrants and the perils of the sea for another son; hence, the next year, when Matthew received a midshipman's warrant, through the influence of his representative in Congress, the Hon. Sam Houston, though his father did not absolutely forbid the acceptance of it, he withheld from his son all financial aid and even the parental blessing; but the young midshipman went reverently forward to his appointed work and no knight of the knighthest days ever set out more amply clothed on with righteousness. With thirty dollars paid him by Mr. Hasbrouck for his assistance with the lower classes in the Academy and on a borrowed horse, he fared forth on the old trail back to Virginia whence he had come fifteen years before.

A journey of two weeks brought him, in fine mettle though with but fifty cents in his pocket, to the home of his kindred in Albemarle County, Virginia. With the discretion born of pride and independence, he wisely kept his financial straits to himself, but sold the borrowed horse, transmitted the money, as he had agreed to do, to the owner in Tennessee, and hastened on to Washington; there he was allowed fifteen cents mileage from Franklin, Tennessee, to the Capital, and received his warrant as of date of February 1st, 1825. (Note the coincidence: Maury died 48 years later, February 1st, 1873.)

The frigate Brandywine had been designated by the Government to convey Lafayette back to France after his last visit to America, and on this voyage Maury saw his first sea service. The old friend of America did not fail to note the active, studious lad,