250 MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY 



him in Richmond. This beautifully poetic title, "The 

 Pathfinder of the Seas", will be his real monument 

 against which the tooth of time will gnaw in vain, for it 

 will rest solidly based upon his original contributions to 

 the science of the world: "The Physical Geography of 

 the Sea" and the "Wind and Current Charts" with their 

 "Sailing Directions". 



It is not so easy, on the other hand, to describe in a 

 phrase Maury's personality. Some of those who knew 

 him well thought his most characteristic trait was his 

 modesty; others considered "masculine common sense", 

 which enabled him to see things in their true light and 

 their real bearing, most fully characterized him; while 

 still another declared that he belonged to that class of 

 men who are sans peur et sans reproche. But his charac- 

 ter had too many facets for such a simple characteriza- 

 tion, and one is forced to turn to a more detailed 

 summary. Perhaps, the most nearly satisfying one of 

 this sort is that written by Francis H. Smith, formerly 

 Professor of Physics at the University of Virginia and 

 one who was well acquainted with Maury and his 

 scientific work. 



"Of Maury's personality", Professor Smith wrote, "it 

 may be said that no one that had the privilege of meeting 

 him ever forgot the event. He had the winning manner 

 and kindly address which seemed to belong to the men of 

 his race and section. No worthy young fellow ever felt 

 ignored or oppressed in his presence. He wore his 

 honors easily, but while he valued the public tributes he 

 received, he was not fond of displaying the insignia which 

 came with them. He would put on those jewels some- 

 times in the privacy of home to gratify his children. 

 He loved the little ones, and if to be childlike is to be 



