with the River Potomac flowing between them. General Lee always earnestly wished that Virginians should not leave their country, but work for her in adversity as in prosperous times. As regards Maury, that noble and patriotic wish was now gratified.
Maury's Commission to the Chair of Meteorology at the Virginia Military Institute.
The Virginia Military Institute to M. F. Maury, LL.D.
Greeting:
Know you that, reposing special trust and confidence in your virtue, intelligence, and great qualifications, the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute, by virtue of the authority invested in them by law, have appointed you Professor of Meteorology.
Given under my hand, as President of the Board of Visitors and under the seal of the State, this 22nd day of February, 1868.
| John Letcher, | |
| President of the Board of Visitors of Virginia Military Institute. |
Seal.
Maury accepted this appointment in the following letter to General Smith, of the Virginia Military Institute:—
To General F. S. Smith, of Va. Military Institute.
| General, | London, April 21st, 1868. |
I thank you kindly for your letter of the 3rd inst, explaining my duties in the new Chair. They, being such as therein defined, you have induced me to accept.
I should lack courage to undertake a regular course of lectures as one of the faculty, simply because it would lead me into an untried line of life; and as my rule is to put my heart into whatever I attempt to do, and try my best, I
