The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-06-09
NJ the Galaxy
fHE MURATS OF FLORIDA.

Close following upon the exchange
at fags which made Florida the prop
NV of the United States, there came
thering within her territorial limits the
n0eleus Of a more refined and elegant so.
e'ety than usually inaugurates frontier
Mlement.
Many entire families of distinction set
nt from one and another of the States,
|W make their future home in this land OF
s. orange and rose; and wit, wealth,
huty and intelligence, were represented
bne sex and the other, to an almost
slbdigal degree.
Among the settlers from Virginia came
- charming widow Grey" whose
sAhcetul and charming demeanor, ready
III, and aHable speech, crowned her at
saee one of the "queens of society,
Ilere to be acknowledged such seemed
s|6ng prelude to the further honors
hich awaited her.
around Tallahassee in those days radi-
ia Gov William T. Duval, the original
aflryings Ralph Ringood, Judge Thorn
81 Randall, Gen. Richard X. Call, aide
scamp to Gen. Jackson in the
dian wars, and subsequently Governor
al Florida, and Col. Gadsden while
Among the ladies were the gentle and
|0fely Mrs. r. X. Call, Mrs. Florida
#hite-well known for the brilliancy OF
ID society attainments and personal
I1Ace-Mrs. Nutall, similarly renowned,
"a the charming family of William
iYirt, OF national reputation for beauty
"a accomplishment.
AN exile from France and Italy, sepa-
Sing himself as far as possible for the
nc from crowned heads and sceptres,
|aere was living quietly on his plantation
ia Lipona, Prince Achille Murat, eldest
"a of the King of Naples, and Caroline,
FER of the first Napoleon.
III was not long before the extreme
|NEeliness of person and character blended
lA young Kate Grey won the affection Of
"a eXpatriated noble, but it was mat
"a OF more time, united with parental
#rsuasion, TO induce her to consider ia
4prably the suit of the Prince, who
nay from fashions haunts and cour
shquette, had grown careless even to SLOW
Anllness in his habits and dress, and whC
" ne time could ever in pride of persona
appearance have assimilated to his roya
@ther, considered III his time one of tn,
featest coNcombs of Europe.
Many amusing stories are told of those
Ahys Of courtship.
Mrs. Willis, the mother of the pros
necuye Nine. Murat, was one of tn,
Aeatest of house-keepers, and all her do
RestIc surroundings were practica
pmmentary on Heavens first law.
Her fiat had gone forth irrevocabl,
Agalnst the evil practices of tobacco con
nmerS in especial, SO that the Prince
a nyeterate patron of the weed, to avoi,
recurring her displeasure, was always OIL
8ls visits accompanied by huge shagg.
Jog, which he used as substitute for
SpitJoon.
Prince Murat's oddities of manner, toe
Eeemed little in accordance with the ri
Aned bearing of the lady with whom h
Fought alliance but be all these thing
IS they may, they were married after
#ew months acquaintance, by whic
Union the princess became the niece
Napoleon Bnnaparte, as she was alread
pf George Washington.
karely has there been seen a wedde
Rouple more unlike than that nov dom
Eled at the Lipona home in Jefferso
county, and yet the magical touch I
affection brought harmony, partial if N
perfect, out of the discordant element
The mistress, possessed of orthodo
FEMININE instincts, never went wanderlr
Prom woman's then acknowledged spher
put practiced faithfully the wisdom pc
galning to daily life, and from her refine
PASTE and pure sentiment diti'used an 8
PIMA of elegance and luxury all abo
her.
Murat devoted himself to the pursl
pt abstruse knowledge, particularly Il
Sowing the natural sciences, and, b
his efforts in this line been well direC
ed, he would have proved himself
Invaluable citizen in developing the
nate resources of his chosen State.
WAS an agreeable companion In ma
respects-was an entertaining narrator
what he had seen, and heard, and res
Rnd was in fact most superior CONVEX
tionalist when his mind was allowed
natural balance but, when unsettled
drink, he degenerated into frivolousne
and even coarseness.
His want of personal neatness was,
'One could doubt, most trying source
annoyance to his sensitive wife, for,
Il not been for the constant attenda