, 1875-05-23
THE 'MURATS. OF FLORIDA.
GahxY.

I
Gloss following upon the "exchange Of 1ags
which made Florida the property OF the Unite
States, there came gathering within her terri
torial limits the nucleus of = moro refined an
elegant society than usually inaugurates fron
tier settlement. 80 =" IT,. II s-.r ,:....
Many entire families Of distinction act on
from one and another of the States, to max
their future home ia this land OF the orange an
| roae; and wit, weaSth, beauty, and intelligenc
were represented IN one sex and the other to i,
almost prodiga} degree.
Among tbs settlers from Virginia came th
charming .'Widow Grey" whose graceful. ant
modest dameanot; ready wit, and afahle apeecb
crowned her at once one OF the "queens OF 30
ciety, where to be. acknowledged such seemet
fitting -p1elude to the further honors which
awaited her :.
Around Tallahassee il those days radiatet
Gov. William P. Dnval, the original Of Irving
Ralph Ringood. judge Thomas Randall, Gen
Richard 4. Call, aide-de-camp to Gen. jackson
In the Indian wars, and subsequently Governor
Of Florida, and Col. Gadsdeu} while among the
ladies we're The, gentle aud lovely Mrs. R. &.
Gall, Mrs Florida White for The
hrillancy Of her society attainments aud personal
grace,-Mrs. Nutall, s1uilally renowned, and the
charming family Of William Writ Of national
reputation for beauty and accomplishment.
; An exile from France and Italy, separating
himself ~ far al possible for the time from
crowned heads. and saceptres. = 'thera Was living
quietly on his plantation OF, Lipona Prince
Achille MurAt, eldest son of the King at Naples
and Caroline, sistor OF tho first Napoleon.
It was not long before ths extreme ,loyeliness
OF person and character blended IN young Kate
Grey won the affection OF the expatriated noble.
but it was a matter Of more time, united with
parental persuasion, to induce her to ,cQnbidar
favorably the suit Of the Prince, who, away from
fashions hannts and court etiquette, had grown
careless even to slovenliness in: bis babita and
dress, and who at no time could ever in pride Of
III father, considered in his time one OF the
greatest coxcombs Of Europe.
Many amusing stories are told OF those days OF
-. 8 =. 1.:-;
Nine. Murat,, was ons OF tho neatest Of house.
keepers, and ali her domestic surroundings were
PRACTICAL commentary on Heavens first law
Her fat had gono forth irreyocably against the
evil practices Of tobacco consumers in especial,
10 that tha Prince, an ,invetsrata patrou .of the
weed, to avoid incurring her displeaaure. was al
ways on bis visits accompanied by huge shaggy
dog, which he used as substitute for spit
soon-. (: : ~ :. ~ -. 49,. =.
Prince Murat's oddities OF manner, too, seemed
little in accordance with ths refined bearing Of
The lady: with whom he sought alliance; but be
ii these things as they msy, they were married
lfter, : few, months ,acquaintsnoe, tT which
1nion the Princess became the niece Of Napoleon
aonaparte, ~ she was already Of George WASH
ngton4, -c- .-:s*,s >~..,:.: - r.. -. 49,: ::
Ra7ely has there been seen j. welded couole
more un1iks than that now douiciled at the Il
ION. homein Jeherson County, and yet the
nagicat touch of a6actiou brought .bsrmouv.
'srtial it not peffect, out OF tho dlscordant ole
Qent6. -
The mistress, POSSESSED Of orthodox feminine
instincts, never went wandering from woman's |
hen acknowledged sphere, but pzaoticed faith |
rom her refined tast% and pure sentiment diff
used IN aroma of :alsSanos and luxury al about
Hun, d.1ass4 hIua..lt i II. d pursuit. mi Il Is