The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-26
Gbs Bsbis5.

Fifty Years in Chains or, the Life of American Slave
Eighth thousand New York: II. Dayton.
When this book came out Last spring, we
noticed it as a publication worthy of a wide
circulation and of the patronage of our Anti.
Slavery friends. We did not then suppose, in
the stagnant condition of the book trade, that
the eighth edition of the book would be presented
to us for notice within the space of six months,
but such is the fact. A book must possess
sterling merit to meet with such q sale at such
time OF peculiar depression in the book trade,
! and we have known from the first that this vol
ume possessed such merit. In the first place,
| it is not a new book. Many years ago, before
the present Anti-Slavery>war commenced, or
rather when it was in its infancy, the volume,
in much larger and more episodical style, was
sent forth to the few men and women who then
bought such books. Among Anti Slavery PEG.
pie, it had then sort of success, for it was ex-
ceedingly popular, though from the fact that the
appreciative audience was small
The volume, as now issued, has been very
carefully revised, parts rewritten, ard the whole
abridged. In the old edition of the work, there
were very many episodes, which impaired the
value of the volume as book for wide circula.
ton.
The story of an American slave =" is told
most graphically, and is, we understand, per-
fectly true. 1t is not fictitious work-not a
a tale coined from the human brain, but the
actual experience of a slave who lived in bond.
age for half century. 1t is related by the
slave himself, and is an autobiography style
which is universally popular The book before
US ID written simply, telling, ss it does, the plain
story of a slaves life in Maryland, Alabama,
and other slave States. Perhaps the most in
terestipg passages in the volume are those de.
scribing the journey of the slave from Maryland
to Alabama, and his first escape from his Ala
bama home, and the long and weary journey
back to the banks of the Potomac. The story
OF the escape, made entirely on foot and at
night, occupying a long stretch of weeks, as it
did, is told simply, but is intensely interesting
The book is not written in an exaggerated
style, and is, we think, worthy of a much larger
circulation than it has yet received. Such books
create Anti Slavery sentiment, and we want
more of it in the political organi cations of the
day. There is danger that the slave will be over
looked in the contests of parties--that mere po-
ltica issues will so occupy the attention of men,
that they will forget the poor bondman and bis
sufferings. The circulation of such books as
these will tend to correct this evil
Aunt Sally; or The Cross the Way of Freedom A Mar.
rave of Slave Life and Purchase of the Mother Rev
Isaac Williams, of Detroit, Michigan. Cincinnati:
American Reform Tract and Book Society 1885,
Many of our readers have no doubt read this
book, as it appeared in series of chapters,
successive weeks last year, in the New York
Independent. 1t is an o'er-true tale" and we
are glad to know that it is put in shape to
give it permanent circulation through the
American Reform Tract and Book Society at
Cincinnati, to which, especially since the recent
action of the American Tract Society at New
York, our Western Christian public will no
doubt look for the means of placing truth before
the eyes of others.
As picture of Slavery, the volume is one
that deserves perusal; as an exhibition of true
religion i'll the humbest forms of dscipleship,
yet more so !; and as a record of Gods care
and providence, it has, too, no common claim
1t was taken down from Aunt Sally's own lips
and her language is faithfully preserved in her
various experiences of sorrow and religious
support. No one can read it, we think, without
the conviction that the scenes described took
place, and without, too, feeling that a dreadful
reckoning must await those who uphold sys-
tenn 80 full of misery and outrage, upon not only
human beings, but men and women for whom
Saviour died, and who hiss shed abroad his
love in many of their hearts.
As book evincing the power of the Gospel
of Christ, it is one that ought to carry convic-
ton to many sinner privileged with all the |
blessings of liberty and life, against whom mu |
titudes like Aunt Sally, deprived of their rights
yet obedient to the truth, will rise up in the |
last judgment.
The account of her sons unwearied tolls and |
efforts to rescue his mother from her bond |
age, rewarded at last by seeing her sitting down
in his own house with himself and family there
to spend the remainder of her days, is most al.
fecting, and is told with simple pathos that
at once takes hold of the heart.
The volume also contains daguerreotype en-.
cravings of Aunt Sally, and of her son Isaac,
his wife and child, which helps still further to
bring them before as in their reality of exist.
ence and condition of present happiness. By
those who aided in bringing about this result,
through their contributions, sympathes, efforts,
and prayers, the book must indeed be read
with grateful acknowledgements to Heaven, that
they were allowed thus to share in 80 fulfil
ling the law of Christ"
Memoirs of Rachel BY Madame de B New York
Harper & Brothers, 1858. For sale by TAYLOR Many
Washington, d C.
Who is Madame de B, every reader
of this volume will probably be disposed to ask.
Is she friend of the subject of her memoir
Ia preface we are told that it was begun and
continued from eighteen years before Rachels
death. Was she then noting down the events
of her remarkable life with sympsthizing or
hostile heart? 1t is perhaps difficult to decide.
Some particulars look as if the former while
others as though the latter was the case. We
are inclined however, to believe that it is, on
the whole, pretty faithful delineation of char.
acter, as seen by some one who knew Made
moiselle Rachel well. Il. is at all events an in
structive book. Lamentable indeed is the
development of the moral disposition of the
gifted subject. She was genius--but utterly
destitute of the balance of high and noble prin.
ciples. She could express the passions Of
sterner mood, but for the tenderer and soul.
an hduin emotiopa aaama tn have had no adapt |