Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-09-14


Maury.
The following bit of romance in the life of
Lieut.. Maury is related by Mr.. Willis in the
Home Josanal:
In the early days ofhis professional career,
the present Commander was midshipman
on board one of he sioops of war sent to.
cruise in the Pacific. The duty being mainly
TO give authoritative eountenance to the
merchant vessels in those seas. much of their
time. of course. was passed in the anchorage
of the different islands; and Marry having
always taste for languages. had employed
his many an. idle hour. as coxswain of the go-
ashore boat, in mastering The dialects OF the
natives. So successful had he been in this
volunteer study that he became, at last, the
regular interpreter, and was the main channel
of communication between the Commodore
and the petty sovereigns ofihe islands.
The thing he most struggled with. in those
days, was constitutional bashfulness; and
he was not little faI,bergnsted. therefore,
when he was summoned 10 the quarter deck
one bright morning TO int rpret between the
/, Commander and young Owhyhee princess.
the fayorite daughter Of the Chief of the
island where they were anchored. She had
SWIM off to the ship and climbed up the side,
and now stood in all her tropical forescence,
an exquisitely developed young woman of
and her unconscious modesiy, and gesiicula-
ting in The most lively manner, 30 the very
great admiration of the officers and crew.
She had evidently message of Importance
to communicate.
Obedient to the summons OF course. the
gold-laccd cap of the young interpresr-middy
made its appearances; and he proceeded TO
open communication with the fair Undne =
getting side intimation from the officers au-
dienced about on the carriages and port
holes, that the dialogue of inquiry should be
prolonged as far as possible
He was not long in learning her Grand
but how, with his usefulness to translate il
to the Commodore and those groups ofiisten-
ing Lieutenanis? 1t was no less than an ar-
thoritative expression of the Islands admira-
ton of bis superior knowledge as shown in
the mastery of their language, and proposal
for The honor of his hand. The girl had
swum of, as her fathers ambassador to make
the offer of herself : the answer being awaited
on shore in full council of warrior-chefsl
The difficulty of maintaining the proper
qua ter-deck gravity, or of so REFRESHING the
mirth OF the surrounding epouletes not to
give Ofiense 10 the native pride of the auto
question-popping Princess, was considerable
Maury has no recollection. at present, wheth
er be himself stood on his head or his heels
during the interview. The Commodore was
discreet, however, and il was soon understood
that the legate of foreign power was to be
treated with respect, whether the diplomatic
drapery were more or less entire, and the
proposal was TO be respectfully received
The ward-room boat was meantime ordered
to be manned, and the ships newest flag
spread in the seats TO envelop the royal I'M
clad on her less water-draped return. Maury
was to go as cOxswain, and restore the lady
to her parents; hut his orders were discretion
airy. He was to make ev'ry assurance of
amty between the United States and the
Pacific, and get clear. if he Practically could
but, on no account TO make any such re-
lection of the proposed honor as would lead
to a misunderstanding.
1t was a pull of a mile or two, the sea
smooth and the tars willing for once to sit
with their backs to the bow. The officer and
his fag-enveloped passenger had the con-
versation all TO themselves; and he was bust
ly cogitating, in The bashiul back-parlor of
his mind, how he should behave under the
probab BILE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES LIST. I'd. or Sd
when the young lady unexpectedly jumped
overheard and swan the rest of the way to
the beach; taking to her heels. on arriving at
the sand, with celebrity for which he cOald
in no way account. Was she angry? Was
there probability of his being disemboweled
and burnt, if be should try TO overiake and
explain? He concluded that it was best, on
the whole. to carry out the CommOdores
policy; and, by following up the fugitive, to
get chance, perhaps, TO pacify the papa.
So, leaving the boat drawn up on The bank,
he took his way alone to the chiefs bungalow.
1t was some little distance inland, and, on
arriving, he found he WAS considerably ex-
pected. There was every appearance OF pre-
paraton for a festiviiy, the tables spread for
a royal banquet. and the fruits and drinks In
abundant pa odgality. The chiefs were al
ready in a state OF excitement, which pre-
cluded all explanation or modification of
plans. There was nothing to do bat to
yield to circumstances. He must marry
Ga la Owhyhee and she), to keep the peace
aud protect the commerce of the nation.
The delays were apparently inconsldera-
BILE. In very short time, the runaway
bride appeared, dressed in all manner of Pa
cifc ornaments, and attended by her mother
and bevy of sister islandresses. The Com
modore was either not expected. OF, not
miss d; the cet emony was performed (what
there was of it). with only native witnesses,
and things proceeded as usual @
For the remaining Winter months, the
sloOp was anchored at the same island. and
Prince Maury, Of course, had nice opportu-
nifty to become acquainted with the manners
and customs. His copper-colored papa
PROVED very gentlemanly, and, as long as he
stayed he was most affectionately treated.
His subsequent half century, as the world of
science So well known. has been devoted to
the study of la ure's more universal uneX-
charm of thus first lesson,
acting, perhaps, as an initiative relsh-but,
whether or not the Owhybee romance. ms
u prelude 10 very distinguished mans life
long pursuits, is well worth prescryering for
his biographer."