New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-06-13
THE NfUKATS OF FLORIDA.


|
THE NlUKATS or FLORIDA.
Close following upon Che exchange o
tiags' which made Flotida the property of tn,
! United States, there came gathering within
| her territorial limits the nucleus of NOR,
refined and elegant society than usually il
| augurates frontier settlement.
/ Many entire families of distinction set ou
| from one and another of the States 60 make
I their future homo in this land of the orange
| telligence were represented in one sex and
| the ether to an almost prOdigal degree.
Among the settlers from Virginia came
the charming 'VidOw Gray" whose grace
fnl and modest demeanOr, ready wit and
affable speech crowned her at once one OF
tho ''queens Of society,"" where 20 be &C
kDOvledged such seemed fitting prelude to
the further hOnors which awaited her.
Around Tallahassee in those days radiated
Irving's Ralph RDgwood;" Judge thomas
Randall. General Richard X. Call, aid de
camp to General jackson in the Indian wars,
and subsequently, Governor of Florida, and
Colonel Gadsden, while among the ladies
were rhe gentle and lovely Mrs. r X. Call,
Mrs. FLORIDA White-well known for the
brilliancy OF her society attachments and
personal grace,-Mrs. Nutall. similarly re-
nowned, and the charming family OF Will
liam Writ, of national reputation for beauty
and accomplishment.
An exile from France and Italy, separ-
ating himself as far as possible for the time
from crowned heads and sceptres there was
living quietly on his plantation OF Lipona
Prince Achille Murat, eldest son of the King
of Naples and Caroline, sister Of the fist
Napoleon.
1t was not long before the extreme love
illness of person and character blended in
young Kate Grey won the affection of the
sxpatriated noble, but it was matter of
more time, united with parental persuasion,
10 induce her 70 consider favorably the
suit of the Prince, who, away from fash
ions haunts and court etiquette, had grown
careless even 90 slov6nliness in his habits
and dress, and who At no time could ever
in pride OF personal appearances have as
simulated to his royal father, considered in
his time one Of the greatest cOxcombs of
Europe.
Many amusing stories are told of those
days OF cDurtship.
Mrs. Willis, the mother of the prospective
Nine. Murat. WAS one of the neatsst of
and all her dome site sur
were . practical commentary on
Heayen's first law.
Her fiat had gone forth irrevecably
against the evil practices OF tobacco con
in especial, 80 that tho Prince, an
inveterate patron Of the weed, TO avoid in
curing her displeasure. was always on his
visits accompanied by q huge shaggy dog,
which he used as . substitute for spittoon.
Prince MuYat's oddities of manner, Toe.
seemed little IN accordance with the refined
bearing Of the lady with whom he sought
alliance but be all these thins as they may.
they were married after a few months at-
guaintance. by which union the Princess
became the niece of Napoleon BOnaparte. as
she was already Of George Washington.
Rarely has there been seen welded
couple more unlike than that now domi
ciled at the I4ipona home in Jefferson eeun.
ty, and vet the magical touch Of affection
brought harmony, partial il not perfect. cut
ii the discOrdant elements.
The mistress, possessed of orthodox femi- |
nine instincts, never went wandering from |
then acknowledged sphere, but !
Dracticed faithfully the wisdom pertaining
20 daily life, and from her refined taste and !
,urs sentiment diffused an aroma Of ele. |
,ance and luxury all about her.
Murat devoted himself to the pureuis of |
lbs.ruse knowledge, particularly following |
he natural sciences, and, had his forts in |
his line been we'll directed. he would have
proved himself an invaluable citizen in |
developing the innate resources Of his
hossn State. tie was An agreeable com
'anion In many respects-Was an entertain
ne narrator of what he had seen. and
eard. and read. and was in fact y most
upeiiof cOnversatiOnalist when his mind
Vas allowed its natural balance: but. when
nsettlsd by drink, he degenerated into
righteousness and even eoarseness.
His want OF personal neatness vas, none
ouid doubt, most trying source of an
oyance to his sensitive wife for, had it not
cen tor the constant attendance OF his
aithful valet, William, his presence at times
,ould scarcely have been sndurable. 1t vac
Is boast that he never removed his boots
'om their first days use until they were
orp out. and without some stratagem
on him it is believed that he would
ever have changed his clothing.
On one occasion-during the season of
lgaf making Monsieur lie Prince had the
Misfortune to fall int vat OF syrup some
fsrees above the Fahrenheit estimate of
Inc bystanders stood sghast,