him in the study of mathematics ; the fall from dizzy heights led 

 from the plough-handles to the open door of Harpeth Academy 

 the school rescued him from the farm to render him the more 

 potential friend of the farmer and of mankind. 



At Harpeth Academy, the Principal, Rev. James H. Otey, 

 afterwards Bishop of Tennessee, and his assistant, William C. 

 Hasbrouck, later an eminent lawyer of New York, recognized the 

 rare gifts and high character of the young student and became 

 his life-long friends and mentors. 



Upon the death in 1824 of Lieutenant John Minor Maury 

 after an eighteen years' career of active service and thrilling ad- 

 venture, the face of his father was steadfastly set against mid- 

 shipman's warrants and the perils of the sea for another son; 

 hence, the next year, when Matthew received a midshipman's 

 warrant, through the influence of his representative in Congress, 

 the Hon. Sam Houston, though his father did not absolutely for- 

 bid the acceptance of it, he withheld from his son all financial aid 

 and even the parental blessing; but the young midshipman went 

 reverently forward to his appointed work and no knight of the 

 knightliest days ever set out more amply clothed on with right- 

 eousness. With thirty dollars paid him by Mr. Hasbrouck for 

 his assistance with the lower classes in the Academy and on a 

 borrowed horse, he fared forth on the old trail back to Virginia 

 whence he had come fifteen years before. 



A journey of two weeks brought him, in fine mettle though 

 with but fifty cents in his pocket, to the home of his kindred in 

 Albemarle County, Virginia. With the discretion born of pride 

 and independence, he wisely kept his financial straits to him- 

 self, but sold the borrowed horse, transmitted the money, as he 

 had agreed to do, to the owner in Tennessee, and hastened on to 

 Washington; there he was allowed fifteen cents mileage from 

 Franklin, Tennessee, to the Capital, and received his warrant as 

 of date of February ist, 1825. (Note the coincidence: Maury 

 died 48 years later, February ist, 1873.) 



The frigate Brandywine had been designated by the Govern- 

 ment to convey Lafayette back to France after his last visit to 

 America, and on this voyage Maury saw his first sea service. The 

 old friend of America did not fail to note the active, studious lad, 



