New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-26

Harper for this month is as usual rich in
sketches OF foreign travel taking the sayahome reader
from the dreary wds OF Eastern Russia to the tropical
luxuriance Of Zanzibar without leaving his cosy
chair by the reside. The articles handsomely Illus
traed and present clear idea Of the they
describe as is possible without the evidence Of the
senses to say nothing Of the attractions Of lively and
picturesque narrative The paper The Executive De-
partments and Seals" brings out novel information
the subject although has previously been treated
by painstakng historical explorers The writer arrives
ut the conclusion that the legends and devices Of the
Seals Of the Treasury and War Departments older
than the National Government, and perhaps older than
the Great Seal Of the Republic which existed six years
before the establishment OF the Federal Constitution
Major De Forests sketches Of ChvalrOus and SENT
ChivarOus sOuthrOns," afford several striking ilustra
lions Of life and character In South Carolina, closing
with some suggestions as TO
SOUTHERN INDIVIDUALITY.
whether chyalrons or semichyalTous the Southerner
and Of the most interesting Or at all events
Of the most amusing, persOnages Oh this continent II not
In the world. He has salient virtues, vices and Oddities
be has that rich practical humOr which il totally
sclOus Of being humOristc no In tho graYes manner
lures short he prize for the anecdOts and novel
fist Dixie has thousands OF heightened gentlemen who
propriety but who would be tit associate with the
Caxtons aud Dr. hceaboeca. Ia That land OF romance
Pitt Crawey, and Col NewcOme, and Mr.. Pickwck and
lie Chourneur, all moving the best society, and quite
that they are Admirable CrichtOns.
In what other part Of the civilized earth would lead
ing statesman white ponderous political work in dia
Ogue aet the fashion Of the essays Of Plato
Such a gustO OF classical imitation might possibly DO
found Harvard Sophomore but at the South dis
cover II In eXUnited States Congressman and
VicePresident Of the COnfederacy. Alexander H. Ste
phens r6dOent OF Greeks aud Romans as yerdaht
Where else could yoS such curious incarnation
OF the apostolic character as -----, planter by
profession and habitude, but preacher by mssiOnl He
passionate religOnis II lie you I'm the street
chance passersby were beckoned TO until he had circle;
you listened because you dare not away One Sun.
day exhoTting in little crossroads church, and having
been annoyed by two negroes stealing out Of the house.
as follows: "Hext Lords day shall hold worship in
this place shall bring my double barreed gun;
shall stand that brethren, In the pulpit alongside
me; and, II any man gets mp and goes out while am
preaching, by - IN shoot him."
A haffudded planter called on me one evening and In.
vted treat OF stewed oysters The restaurant
among sticky pans, spilled Hour, and lOayes OF dough-
the OysteFeans opened with an Old bOwe-knfe
Come, don't let's eat this like sayages Major, can't
You ask bessngf AS declined he pulled his broad
brmmed felt from his muddled craniu and said grace
knew a worthy old South Carolniau bearing Il name
or Revolutionary nOOrety who would not invest his
money at high profits holding that six per cent my
dear Sir, iA the Interest OF gentleman"
knew another worthy old person who raised a set OF
white and set OF black children treated both with gen
erosty and affection maintained excellent character
In his church, and died IN the Odor OF public esteem
1 knew planter who, having said in a drunken spree
tet he would cell his plantation $4,000 would moi
revoke his words when sober, although II worth
TEneS- another planter who beat his beautiful wife
rs long be lived, aud at bis death wled her consld
cradle prOp condition that she should never 0ut
the state lie UowDg that her ohiefest desire was 10 re-
NEW souSer qers who taught their slaves to read IN
spite Of severe pIOLpory laws and who labOged for