The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-07-19

North met Dr Craven, the author of the
Prison Life" at the house OF a friend
IN Newark, New Jersey, gives to the
charleston Aetcs an INTERESTING account
OF the Interview, from which we make
some extracts:
lie brought his book, then
numbering forty pages in proof, which
lie permitted he To read. My friend,
KEY. w. Z. Power, OF Charlotte, North
~aioiintl, WAS present. Cur circle was
select and appreciative, 1or the falniiy
%hose guess we were sympailiZeu
orongiy with suffering ooulherners,
having themselves le;llned something oi
persecution III Baltimore during the
War. Dr.. Craven is a man OF quiet,
sentemanly depoltment-iifm in his
toltlcai CONVICTIONS and propose ssiolls;
aud these ale Oi /; Northern characler
out stiil there could be detected nothing
i'll his ni;tniier Or i'll his speech 10 indl-
cate arrogance Or graduation in
eonst quthee of the triumph of his
section. Like MANY Others Oh the oppo-
sltluh size, VINO submitted 10 the hard
ships OF The camp and the dangers OF
the battlefield, he rather nlaniiestt d a
desire to see justice done to every one.
The Doctor seemed anxious that we
| should lead Ike look aid fianklyeXprt SIS
our views as we progressed. 1t Was ac-
eordlngiy read to the select audience,
aud III Che authors presence opinions
were freely llherehangtu. AT times they
were OF Il decidedly political cast, and
especially So when referring to the person
and Official acts OF the authors subject.
respectful attention, and gave interest
Ing eXpositions OF different portions Oi
Ills book, representing the ut1elances
which developed the character OF Mr..
Davis under new auspices-all OF which
did credit 10 the head and heart of the
former, and justice to the latter.
III his visits to Mr.. Davis he was pro-
hlblted from holding any general con-
versation with him; but it appears that
this prohibition WAS hot enforced ill Ii
peremptory military order, until after
ne had had frequent and satisfactory
lnterv .eWs with him. lie was com
manded To converse with him only OH
professional matters; and under the
eeaseieso vigilance OF the guard pacing
the apartment aud lorluIing the very
soul oil its inmate, he was compelled in
The most stealtl,y manner to interchange
thoughts in low WHISPERS. This 0b-
viousiy oppresst d The communicative
spirit OF the imprisoned statesnan.-
The doctor treasured III a reteniiNe
memory. everything that fell from Mr..
Davis lips, and Immediately on return
lng to lis quarters he would trans. er
every thought, with much Of tie Ian
suage, to paper. No one WHO is ae-
qutinted With Mr.. Davis pure, terse
aud philosoplie style OF wiling and
speaking Will fail to recognize through
out the book What Was 20 ellrtnensGer-
cd aud recorded by his suige on. Like
Boswell-though free FROM that eele-
hra,ed biograpier's impUdent inquisi-
tiNeness, i'll his close and untiring sur
VIGILANCE Of Dr. Jollnson--he embraced
every opportunits tostudy his ilustfious
subject, with whose name his own Viii
ever be associated in history.
Said Or. Craven to me, :. 1t has been
denied that Mr.. Davis WAS ironed when
| first incareerattd, but / witnessed the
| riNeting oi the letters, and my testimony
is in my book. The most solemn and
| impressive scene | ever beheid in hiN
/ ite," lit continued. WAS the admins
| ration of the communion to Mr.. Davis
the night it was thought he would ter-
ainIy die" He spoke of his eaimi ess
and resignation in view of death, and
the simple faith ne exercised in the Re
| leenerS merits. The doctor fuilN vN-
pected to see his patient relieved OF his
intense suffering before morning, aud
! ,hat patient was ready togo.
| The author spoke in very strong terms
of Miles, the military jaior OF Mir.
Davis; and his book contains many
equally strong illusions tothis magnani,
mcus hero, "clothed in a little brief
authority" He said one object of the
hook was to expose his inhumanity:;
| He informed me that it was on Miles
own authority he issued the infamous
order lorbidding any officer or soldier
rom offering to Mr.. Davis the ordinary
.alutations Of the day, such as the touch
of the hat, or even a nod. 1t seems that
very person about the fort instlif'tiNeiY
inclined TO recognize the prisoner as a
distinguished American citizen, and 10
acknowledge what every one con!d nor
but 1eeI-his superioli1y.hy showing Il
aim proper respect; and this veNed Tie
patriotic soul ui his mead Keeper. i
we're $ arcely possible just here to ; re,
frain from recalling Hamlet, when ne
instituted the comparison OF Hyperion
and satyr to illustrate two striklnsly