Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-22
Honor. to Commodore N. =. Msury.

On the occasion of the installation Of
Commodore Maury as Professor 10 the
Virginia Military Institute, heretofore
alluded to, General F. 81. Smith, the Su.
perin,endent of the Institute. made the
following complimentary sllusion to Viz
ginia's distinguished son:
The name of Msury is household
word among the people of this, his native
State-virgiuia. Entering the United
States navy when Q mere boy, from Ten
pessee. the State of his adoption, be
served in the navy with honorable dis
function for upwards Of thirty five years.
When still q young man, he published q
valuable treatise on navigation, which
was used for many years as text book
in the navy. His special qualifications
prompted the Government to place him
in charge of the National Observatory at
Washington; and it was in this position
that his first and highest distinctions
were won. CoIlatipg the logs Of the
merchantmen as they traversed the
ocean, he constructed those wonderful
charts and sailing directions which are
now used BY every maritime nation, and
which have contributed so much to the
trade and commerce of the world.
In bis Physical Geography of the
Sea-" which founded, in the language of
the great Humboldt, new department
Of science" be usfolds the mysteries Of
the mighty deep, and presents the pro.
cesses By which be was led TO other dis
coyeries, resulting fnally in demon.
s,rating the practicability Of ocean tele-
grspby.
The civilized world promptly recog-
nis.d the value Of these great discoveries.
The Universities of Europe and America
conferred upon him the honorary degree
of Doctor Of Laws He was honered by
distinctions from scientific societies and
academies; foreign courts sought his
labors in the various departments of ply
sicisl research aud rendered him COM
missions of the highest dignity and with
testimonials expressive of their sppreci-
alton of his signal services to mankind.
Among these honors and distinctions
are those of:
Knight OF the Order Of Dannebrog, by
the King OF Denmark;
Knight of the Order Of the Tower and
Sword, by the King Of Portugal;
Commander of the Legion of Honor,
by the Emperor of the French;
Knight Of the Order of ST. Anne, by
the Emperor of Russia; 81
Grand Cross OF Nuestra Signora de
Guadalupe, by the Emperor of Mexico;
Prussian Gold Medal for Science, BY
the King of Prussia;
Gold Medal Of Honor Of the Paris
Universal Exhibition-l856;
Gold Medal from the King of Holland I;
Austrian Gold Medal Of Arts and
Sciences, by the Emperor of Austria;
Collection of Medals Of the Ponti6cate,
by his Holiness the Pope;
Kosmos Medal lat the special request
of Humboldi), by the King Of Prussia;
Gold Medal, by the King Of Sardinia I;
Gold Medal, stru specially by the
Senate of Bremen;
Gold Medal, struck specially by the
King of Norway and Sweden.
/ the midst of such distinguished hon.
ors, the summons comesfo him from the
authorities of this State scientific insti-
tuition, telling him that Virginia needed
his services TO assist in repsiring her
waste places, and in developing her great
material interests. 1t was the voice Of a
mother to an honored and loving son
and declining the high appointment ten
dered TO him by the Emperor Of the
French, placing him 10 charge of the
Imperial Bureau of MeteoroIoey Of
France, be returns once more to Virginia
TO consecrate himself to her welfare.