Senator Yulee of Florida: A Biographical Sketch. E-book. Formato PDF - 9780259635321

The last named, upon maturity, was obliged to go into trade, and his mother, who had exaggerated ideas as to the importance of the princely title, insisted upon his dropping the name of Yulee, temporarily, and the adoption of Levy, that of her own father. This name he retained to the day of his death, although, long before, he had acquired an independent fortune in the lumber business in St. Thomas. He approved, however, of the resumption of that of Yulee by his son - the subject of this sketch - and for convenience it will be the one used throughout.

There are two other incidents of Senator Yulee's childhood which must be recorded, because of the mark they left; the one upon his physical, the other upon his psychological being.

Having been given an apple by some one - if a woman, the fall of Adam might be traced, pari passu - he climbed upon one of the stone gate-pillars of his father's residence, in order to enjoy himself, with tranquility, in "splendid isolation." A passing practical joker threatening to seize the fruit, he started back, fell, and as a result, bore for the remainder of his life, upon the center of his forehead, a deep blue scar, which, curiously enough, formed the letter Y with perfect distinctness.

The second occurrence took place when, at the age of nine, in order to attend school at Norfolk, Virginia, he had sailed from St. Thomas, never to return. The ship lay becalmed, and the lad was watching with great interest the sailors enjoying a sea bath. Suddenly one of these, approaching from behind, seized him, and dived deep into the bottomless water.