Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-05

From the Christian Union.]
Although / cannot pretend to an inti-
macy with Admiral Farragut, yet, on
public and social occasions it was often
my privilege to have him for my seat
mate or my Uis-d-Uis at table, and in long
and varied conversations to draw out the
qualities of his mind and heart. Some
of his unconscious revelations of him
self at such times exhibited traits worthy
to be put upon record for the admiration
of all who know how to prize what is
noble and good in human character.
One could not be long in company
with Admiral Farragut without being
charmed with his simplicity. At sew
enty, the hero of recent naval warfare,
the head of the navy of his country, the
first in an office created expressly for his
promotion, the honored and flattered
guest of the civilized world, he yet re-
tained the freshness and simplicity of
character with which be entered the SER
vice more than fifty years ago.
There was not in him one trace of van
ity-of that egotism which forever mag
nifes itself which keeps self always first
in its own thought, and exacts the homage
of all around. And yet the Admiral was
thoroughly appreciatiye of the good will
of his countrymen, and as sensitive as
child to their marks of appreciation. He
was really charming to look upon as he
received the applause of dinner com
pany; his manly face beaming with
pleasure, his tongue confused with the
attempt to speak, his lips answering by
smiles for words, yet with no trick or
taint of ostentation Just hearty,
simple, sympathetic pleasure with him
self and everybody else, because he had
somehow done something that pleased
other people. Once at a public dinner,
as he saw the toast, ITO Our Navy"
bearing down upon him like saucy cor
vette and pouring broadsides Of compli-
ments, he whispered, "now in a minute
they II set me up in the main-top again,
and then | shall have to speak. What
shall | say2 I'd rather go into action.
Presently the chairman reached the cul-
minating point of his own eloquence,
with "The hero of Mobile lashing him
self to the main-top and sailing into the
belching flames" etc.; and amid thun-
ders of applause, the Admiral rose aud
bowed, aud beamed forth his contagious
smiles till the whole company felt as jolly
as mess on furlough; then said few
simple, honest, manly words about the
navy. his officers, and his men, and looked
so happy as he received the vociferous
greetings of the assembly that the inn
preston upon all was that of brave,
simple, true man, whose heart was as
open as it was brave.
When he sat down he said to me, =" /
cannot understand why they make so
much Of my going up into the main-top.
1t was nothing special that did at Mo-
bile, and | was not lashed there at all. |
When going into action, or in any time
of danger, | always went up there, be-
cause | felt it my duty to be where | |
could overlook everything in person, and
be seen by all the men, and set them an |
example Of sharing their risks" How |
much more impressive does the incident
at Mobile become, from the fact that
this now immortal act was not then done
for any special effect, but as a common |
incident Of what brave man regarded |
as his duty. SO he who quietly does his |
duty, year by year, at the post Of respon-
sibility and danger, may one day find |
that his accustomed abedience to the |
Of Providence has lifted him
up before the nations as an example
and a hero.
Admiral Farragut had that thorough |
honesty which made duty with him i'm
perative. IL was this that held him true
to the flag Of his country, when personal
associations would have drawn him to
the South; and il was this that enabled |
him to win for that flag such almost
renown. As a man Of true
honor and integrity he was above all |
shams.
At that same dinner, taking in his
hand a glass Of vine, be said 20 me,
The wine goes round pretty freely to-
night. ] take a glass with my dinner;
but when / am on duty, and especially J