Evening Star Newspaper, April 27, 1930, Page 94

14 ¥ THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, 'D. 'C, APRIL 27, 1930. New Maury Monument in Richmond Is Masterpiece BY BARBARA TRIGG BROWN. CCORDING to Dudley Crafts Watson of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Maury Monument, recently unveiled in Richmond, amply repaid him for making the trip to that city. He ealls it a marvellous example of modern sculp- ture, listing it with the famous statue of Co- lumbus here in Washington, and he suggests that the old capital city of Virginia “needs a press agent, for no other city in the South and few in the North has such glorious examples of academic art.” So the visitors to Virginia this year will find a new and beautiful addition to the number of monuments that, beginning with Houdon’s washington, probably the greatest example of carly American sculpture, now end far up onument avenue with the monument to Maury, Pathfinder of the Seas. - . A SHORT account of his life, brimful as it is with interest for all ages, will reveal the .culptor’s reasons for representing him as he nas done, and add greatly to the pleasure of all who will eventually see the monument, or who are particularly interested in the fine arts. Matthew Fontaine Maury was born on Janu- ary 14, 1806, in Spotsylvania County, near Fred- ricksburg, Va., but when he was 5 years old nis father took his family to Tennessee, where at Nashville, he spent his youthful days on a {arm, far inland from the seven seas he was to chart. His interest in mathematics was first aroused, curiously enough, by watching the vil- lage cobbler mark Xs and Ys on the soles of the shoes brought to him to be mended. The boy must have been an apt pupil at school, for by the time he had reached his nineteenth year ae had been a school teacher himself at Harpeth Academy, in Tennessee, and with the proceeds of his efforts, $30, in his pocket, was starting on his naval career. Samuel Houston, a mem- oser of Congress from Tennessee, had secured the young man a midshipman’'s warrant, and ne was on his way, not to Annapolis, for there was no naval academy in those days, but to start training on a student man-of-war. Later, Maury was the first man to advocate the estab- ‘shment of the present academy, but his studies were pursued on shipboard, and, to quote from an out-of-print pamphlet which gives an ac- count of his life, “The round shot in the am- munition racks served as his_blackboard as he studied spherical trigonometr¥} while he paced the quarterdeck of his watch.” Sent on a voyage to the Pacific, via Rio de Janeiro, the young lieutenant desired information on the subject of the winds and currents, and, when ae could find none available, he conceived the :dea of his now celebrated Winds and Curgents Chart. In 1834 he issued, in Philadelphia, the fi. :t m=:tical work of science ever prepared by a naval officer. Five years later, while traveling through West Virginia, Maury was in a stagecoach accident, which left nim with a crippled leg, unfit for active duty any more. Driving today over the beautiful Midland Trail, high in the mountains, about 75 miles east of Charleston, the old stone inn which sheltered the victim of this accident still stands, a picturesque landmark in the curve of the winding road. Poor and despairing, Maury, to use the popu- lar Salvation Army phrase, may have been down, put he was not out by a long shot. In- deed, if anything, his misfortune proved a blessing in disguise. For, up to this time, he had read but little, but now he turned s whole attention to study. As Spain was at that time the authority on nautical subjects, he learned by himself enough Spanish to read works on navigation in that language. And when his fellow officers read his “Scraps From the Lucky Bag,” which soon resulted from his studies, they were so enthusiastic that they secured him an appointment in the Depot of Charts® and Instruments at Washington. Maury’s delving into the discarded log books of the vesels of the United States, that had been thrown aside as rubbish, enabled him to Memorial Recently Unwveiled in Virginia Capital Is Listed With Statue of Columbus in Washington as Outstanding Example of Modern Sculpture. finish his Wind ana Currents Cnart, but at first no one believed in its accuracy. A Capt. Jackson gave it its first trial and, steering by it, he made the round trip to Rio in the time generally taken for one way. Others following his chart reduced the voyage to San Francisco from 183 to 135 days. Largely the outcome of his studies at this period of his life are our present Weather Bureau and Signal Service. Like many another great man, the strange fact of receiving honors and awards from foreign countries before his own recognized his genius was the experience of the Pathfinder of the Seas. However, the Secretary of the Navy recommended to Congress that Lieut. Maury be sent to represent his country at Brus- sels, where, under the auspices of King Leo- pold II, 19 nations met for a conference. Hum- boldt, the great German philologist, 92 years old at that time, wrote him, “I must present to you the tribute of acknowledgement due to you for actual help rendered science and com- merce. In fact, you have founded & new science.” (Germany recognizes him as one of the two or three great geographers in all his- tory, and at Hamburg the name of Maury is inscribed on the Seamans’ Institute there.) Russia wanted to create him a Knight of St. Anne and to send him presents, but, as no United States officer could receive gifts from a foreign country, “in lieu of this, Mistress Maury was presented with a brooch of pearls and diamonds.” WHEN the Civil War broke out Maury cast his lot with his native State, and his admiring friends in Washington were sad- dened over his departure to take up his duties as commander in chief of coast and harbor defenses. At this very time, too, the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia offered him a position to do scientific research study, with a princely salary attached to the offer. The last year of the war found him in England, representing the Confederate government. Just here it is interesting to know that in 1866, when, after many disappointments and failures, the Atlantic cable was successfully stretched across the ocean, Cyrus Pield, at the celebration of its completion, said: “Maury furnished the brains, England gave the money, I did the work.” After the war Maury, restless and an exile, was attracted by what he considered the constructive plans of Maximilian, so-called Emperor of Mexico, and he accepted the position in Mexico of director of the Imperial Observatory and commissioner of immigra« tion. When he realized that his “kingdom’™ was tottering, Maximilian sent Maury to Enge land on a mission in order that he might escape the impending disaster. He was, there- fore, in England again when the Emperor was tried and executed. Compelled, of course, to earn his living, and with the South unable to help him, Come modore Maury, as he was now, and is today, called, opened a school in London, where he taught “the application of electricity to sube marine torpedoes” to a group of Danish, Nore wegian and French officers. In 1868 he returned to the United States to accept the chair of meteorology at the Virginia Military Institute, at Lexington. For the New York publisher, Richardson, who was bringing out a series of school books for the South, Maury contributed the splendid geog- raphies. Cambridge University had conferred on him, at the same time she was likewise honoring Tennyson, the degree of LL. D., the Latin oration for him reading, in part: “No one can withhold admiration from the man who, though numbered among the vanquished, held his faith pure and unblemished even at the price of poverty and exile.” In 1§43, severely ill, he asked his son, “Do I drag my anchor?” And to his reply of “Yes, father,” he said, “All's well.” These, his last words, the sailor’s token of faithfulness on lonely sea watches, had been his watchwords through his life. His request to have his coffin carried through the beautiiul Goshen Pass, that the laurel and the rhododendron might be heaped on it, could not be grantec, as he died on the 1st of February. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, in Richmonc, but in the heart of Goshen Pass, 10 miles from Lexington, a great anchor lies among the mountain ivy by the turbulent little river that cut out this little land of Goshen. A tablet explains it is a memorial to Commodore ::;er‘ Some admirer has written of his last re: “Do homage, sky, and air, and grass, All things he cherished sweet and tender, As through the gorgeous mountain pass We bear him, in his sunset splendor.” HAVING written of what he did, it seems fitting to add, in the words of N. P, Willis, a suggestion of what he was in char- acter: “Under his exceeding modesty and ‘eserve there seemed to run a vein of the heroic and romantic, so hidden that he was seemingly unconscious of it * * * willing wo pass only as the industrious man of science.” Sievers, the famous Richmond sculptor, whose equestrian statue of Gen. Lee and its accompanying figures constitute one of the great monuments at Gettysburg, has made a magnificent interpretation of his subject in his Maury Monument. Placed in a wonderful setting, in a wide-open space, with the sweep of the sky behind and around it, the figures of bronze, the pedestal of granite, it come mands attention from all who pass by. Maury, the scientist and the dreamer as well, whose dreams came true, sits thoughtfully at ease, & book in one hand, the Bible by his chair. Above him in outline the birds of the air fly free, beneath his feet the fish of the waters disport themselves. And above all else, the world, whose winds and paths he charted. The figures are splendidly portrayed. Wonderful faces this group who cling to the lifeboat, fearless the men and boys, who, with dog and oxen, are fighting their way across the prairies. Mr. Watson was not exaggerating when he called it a marvelous example of modern sculpture. “HISTORIC GARDEN WEEK’” OPENS GATES OF VIRGINIA ESTATES Continued from Thirteenth Page blue Virginia sky. The place 1s still beautiful. Oak Hill, the stately home of James Monroe, was built by him while President of the United States. Woodberry Forest was built for Gen. William Madison, brother of the President, on the oc- casion of his marriage, and remained in the possession of the family till the close of the War Between the States. A beautiful stretch of garden slopes to the Rapidan River. A wicket gate must be opened to enter here and the beloved object of chil- dren, the sun dial, still tells the time of day. A group of purple lilacs border the walk and beds of roses once gave an individual charm to this lovely place. In the Greenwood Valley, near the Blue Ridge, Col. Bowen built Mirador between the years 1825-1830, and it was because of its mag- nificent view he called it “El Mirador”—"Look, Behold.” Not many miles away is Prestwould, the old Skipwith estate. It was onc. owned by Wil- liam Byrd, 3d, of Westover, and legend tells that it was won from Col. Byrd by Sir Peyton Skipwith in a card game. Prestwould, with its beautiful gardens, is a fair companion to Berry Hill, from whose threshold the Bruces of Virginia have gone out into all parts of America, and also nearby is Staunton Hill, on the Staunton River, the old house built in 1803, and the additions in 1848, still standing and well preserved. The grounds proper are park-like woods in- closed with a stone wall a mile and a half long.. : Elms and mimosa trees line the sices of the paths, and just beyond is “Lovers’ walk,” which was tread by many of the Wriliant men of the day. i - THE Shenandeah Valley is a picturesque trail made by the Indians. It was used in early days as military road and gradually immerged into general travel. From Roanoke straight through to Berryville and on to Harpers Ferry the trail is one of scenic beauty. Around Roanoke are many homes of romance built in the early days. Lone Oak has de- scended from Col. Tosh to the present owner, Mrs. Lawrence S. Davis, a direct descendant of the Lewis family. Buena Vista is one of the oldest places in the vicinity and contains 1,500 acres. Other fine old estates in this vicinity well worth seeing are the Fort Lewis estate, Mon- terey and Fotheringay, the latter built by Gen. John Hancock, who loved it so well that when he died he was buried right in his tomb on the place, that his face might always be turned to his beloved valley. Greenfield, with an inclosure of 100,000 acres, was an original grant from George III, in rec- ognition of military service of William Preston on the frontier, and on one of the walls hangs a commission from the crown signed by Nor- bornne, Bacon de Botetourt. Built in 1762, the house stands as it was originally with but few changes. From Lynchburg the motor ride along the " James River is in the hills along the bluff. Balcony Falls can be viewed on this ride, and in no time one reaches Natural Bridge, located in Rockbridge County, with a stretch of tran- quil, unjostled country. This quiet bit of coun- try, however, has produced two startling phe- nomena, one in stone, Natural Bridge; the other in flesh, Cyrus Hall McCormick, who built the first reaper. Lexington, the town which took ité name from the Revolutionary battle, retains an Eng- lish flavor in its architecture and atmosphere. Virginia Military Institute has graduated many of the finest Army officers in our coun- Adjoining V. M. I is Washington and Lee University, which possesses a rich and inter- esting heritage. The drive to Staunton, the *“queen city of the Shenandoah” takes the tourist past old McDowell Cemetery, which has recently been restored by the Blue Ridge Garden Club. Staunton is built on the hills and has many interesting places, Mary Baldwin College, Stuart Hall and Staunton Military Academy, all within the sight-seeing radius; Woodrow Wilson's birthplace is here and old Trinity Church, the latter well worth entering, for its interior is one of the most beautiful structures of the South. Folly, on the Lee Highway, was built in 1818 by Joseph Smith. Approaching the house is the serpentine brick wall; the house in many ways resembles those planned by Jefferson. The brick used in the house and adjoining build- ings and the wall were matie on the place. I EAVING Staunton the real Shenandoah is “ before you, and at this season the apple blossoms will be in full bloom and the picture one of exquite beauty. At Winchester, or nearby, is located Gen. Washington’s headquarters, and the Gen. Morgan House. Carter Hall not far away was frequently used as headquarters by both armies during the war between the States. Long Branch, the home of the Nelsons, is & fine example of Virginia Colonial type. - Tuleyries, built by Col. Tuley in 1833; Fair- field, a part of Lord Fairfax estate; Saratoga, built by the Hessians for Gen. Daniel Morgan; Anneficld, the home of Matthew Page, bulit in 1790; Audley, built by Warner Washington in 1774, and Clifton, acquired by the Allens from George Washington, are all open to the tourists., On to Berryville one may pause at Miss Rose McDonald’s house, the oldest in Berryville, Near Warrenton, are the old estates of Oak Hill, the home of the Marshalls, built by the father of Chief Justice John Marshall. Gordonsdale, with its austere simplicity, has been resp:eted by time and fate. Rock Hill, North Wales and Clovelly are all in this vicinity. In Loudoun County Oatlands has an oak grove that is justly famous. President Monroe's home, Oak Hill, is not far away. It lies in a beautiful rolling country along the banks of Little River and not far from Goose Creek. FOXCROF'I‘ lies in the Piedmont Valley in . Loudoun County. The old house is built Georgian style, and its exterior is covered with an ivy mantle of green. The drive to Hot Springs may be made by way of Lexington or from Staunton. The latter route over the Warm Springs Mountain is one of exquisite mountain beauty. The old State of Virginia, with its historic ™ homes and gardens, extends a hearty welcome to the tourists of 1930. The wicket gates are open. The spirit of the days cf long ago hovers around, but the memory is fired with imagina- tions of the eminent men who lived and loved in their day and left a rich inheritance of the past. Time has mellowed the recollections of . these charming places. and sorae of them seem only a part of a beautiful dream, but they will always enhance the human interest. .