Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-23

The Maury EestImOniai.
In 1865 the maritime nations Of Eu-
rope united in raising " testimonial
of gratitude for the great services rem
dered to the nayies Of the world 10y Com
modore VI. I. Maury in the construction
and publication OF his Wind and Current
Charts, Sailing Directions, Physical
Geography OF the Sea. &c. They sub
scribed the sum Of $4,000, which WAS
presented to him in a gold and silver
casket by Sir John Packlngton, who pre-
sided at banquet given in Maury
honor i'm London on june q, 1860.
in connection with the above the fol-
lowing communication has Just been re-
ceiyed from a distinguished admiral OF
the royal Norwegian navy by Commo-
dore Slaury's eldest daughter, Mrs. VIII
liam 4. Maury:
CmlsrMNIA, January %, 1883.
70 Mrs. UJHiom 4. Starry. Dcp0rt-
u,clt of Justice. washington, u. G.:
Dear Madam. 1t appears that col
lection. set on foot IN this country IN the
yearis65. 70 aid in realizing the Maury
Testimonial" fell short OF its object
the sum received being still on hand I'M
applied
From inquiries made in connection
with the case, the surviving members of
the committee that undertook to manage
the collection are agreed that mt the
time being the original purpose thereof
will best be carried out 10y placing the
amount at the free disposal Of the late
Lieutenant Maury's children. For this
reason. and having been given TO under
stand that you-Mrs. MaTy sec
the amount applied as aforesaid,
and moreover, are empowered by
YOUR brothers AMI sisters to Get
to that effect, I have herewith
the pleasure, on behalf OF myself ana
the surviving members OF the commit
tee. to remit to you the sum in question,
amounting TO S2.loO.74, per enclosed
draft from Tho. job. Hedge a Son, OF
tins place, on Mcs~rs Diexel. Morgan x
Co.. New York Trusting that you and
your brothers aud sisters Willaccept It AS
the faint token of Norway's recognition
Of the eminent and dlsnterosted services
rendered by your ever memorable father
to science and humanity. / have the
honor to be, dear madam, yours most
respectfully NElLs IHLEN,
Rear Admiral Royal Norwegian Navy.
Accompanying this official letter was
the following friendly epistle from the
same distinguished officer TO the same
lady:
CnRrsTlANIA. January -, 1883
Dear Madam, I take the liberty 10
bring to your recollection VIXEN, III the
year 1873, at the Brussels maritime CON
ference. as a young naval officer enjoy
ed the great agreeableness Of becoming
Acquainted with your father with yon,
and with your sister (then Miss Mamie,
and your two cousins also during my
STAY in Washington in the winter Of
lSj3-'j4, when 1 enjoyed the great hos
ptality OF the house Of your father,
bringing his invaluable friendship back
with me from your country.
There has run much water into the
deep since then, dear Mrs. Maury, and
many sheets of paper might be covered
with accounts and reflections regarding
what has passed in those thirty-tiye
years. But
let the dead past bury IL dead"
| am exceedingly glad to have this
present occasion of writing to you and
to express how / regard my visit TO your
country, my acquaintance with you all,
and above oil the friendship Of your dear
father, as the most happy remembrance
Of my life
The amount, which is sent to you,
originally intended as a contribution
from this country to the " Maury Testi-
monial, Is too modest to be mentioned.
But please TO remember that Norway
scarcely has two millions Of inhabitants.
and be pleased 10 accept it in the same
spirit with which it has been collected.
Please, dear Mrs. Maury, to accept
and to bring to yOur sister, Mrs. COrbln,
and to your two cousins Of my acqualnt-
ance my afectionate remembrance, and
to your husband, Mr. Maury, my re-
spectful compliments and do allow me
to send you all my best wishes for your
future. Yours, very faithfully,
NEMs IHLEN.
These letters suggest that most in
teresting biography Of Commodore
Maury has recently been compiled from
his own letters and writings by his
daughter. Mrs. 5. w. Corbin. This BIZ
ography is now in process OF publication
in England by Messsrs. Samson, Son *
Co., Of st. Dunstan House, Fetterlaney.
Fleet street, London.