AS HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNEW HIM 135 



dren and often having other relatives under his roof To 

 his wife and children, Maury was their perfect ideal of a 

 husband and father; while to him the happiest of all 

 places was his home, and when he was away from it his 

 mind was constantly filled with thoughts of his family. 

 Many of his letters to friends contain references to his 

 children, whose childish sayings he never tired of repeat- 

 ing. 



His family, of course, knew Maury most intimately 

 of all, and the following account of his appearance, per- 

 sonality, and home life is of particular interest and value : 

 **Maury was a stout man, and about five feet six inches 

 in height; he had a fresh, ruddy complexion, with curling 

 brown hair, and clear, tender blue eyes. His massive 

 head and strong neck surmounted broad and square 

 shoulders, and a chest deep and full. His arms were 

 long and strong, with hands small, soft, and beautifully 

 formed — he was apt to use them in graceful gestures 

 while conversing. 



"Every feature and lineament of his bright counte- 

 nance bespoke intellect, kindliness, and force of character. 

 His fine blue eyes beamed from under his broad forehead 

 with thought and emotion, while his flexible mouth 

 smiled with the pleasure of imparting to others the ideas 

 which were ever welling up in his active brain. In early 

 manhood his head was well covered with fine soft, wavy 

 brown hair, which became thin before he reached middle 

 age. Latterly, he was quite bald, as is shown in Valen- 

 tine's fine bust, taken when he was sixty years old. 



''His conversation was enjoyed by all who ever met 

 him; he listened and learned while he conversed, and 

 adapted himself to every capacity. He especially de- 

 lighted in the company of young people, to whom his 



