Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-01-02

the Maxwell House and all its family
May they live long and prosper. We had
just sworn off, but as it was the Prince,
we didn't count that one and joined him
in the sentiment
.sEEE LADIES OF TIaE WHITE
HOUSE,
To the Editors of the Union and American:
The above is the title of a book now
ready for the public. With the view of
calling the attention of the people of Ten
nessee to its merits, and of correcting a
hasty and inadvertent remark in the Re
publican Banner of the 10Th inst, this
notice is inserted In abiding to the
biographical sketch of Mrs. President
Polk, it is alleged that the "pen por-
traiture" of the illustrious subject must
have been inspired by ''some personal
pique or else the result of very imperfect
knowledge A more careful review of
the book, am persuaded, would induce
the reviewer to reverse his judgment
The portion of the book that has induced
the remark is not only all admirable piece
of writing of the kind, but one that does
full justice to the most estimable lady
described. II certainly presents her as
she would desire to be, rather than one of
the leaders of fashion OF the active agent
of social referm, and was written with
full knowledge of the subject and under
the stimulus of a full measure of pride
for the honor and glory Of the Sta md
section from which both hail.
The reader must understand that the
,,t IL
ent types Of American intellects. They
belong to different eras of the republic.
The one is the harbinger of the new age:
the other is the ImpcrsOnatiOn of the de-
parting, and one of its finest representa-
tons. They look at the charaters Of men
and women Though different media and
have formed their ideals of life under the
rays of different suns. No finer tribute
has ever been made to the worth, dignity
and refinement of that most estimable
lady, Mrs. Polk, than her youthful and
gifted biOgrapher has generously paid her;
at the same time she has compared with
it her own conceptions of life and duty.
The miscOnceptiOn of this work is the
result of too hasty reading and inatten-
ton to the characterof the authoress, who
is incapable of personal pique," and far
too elevated in her own conscious worth
to indulge anytI the kind The
great labor she owed upon the
work and the fl final information
she has brOughtS will satisfy the
reader that she is TyyhO means obnoxious
to the charge Of Imperfect knowledge.
To our citizens who desire to look at
the characteristics of the illustrious wo-
men who have filled such elevated posi-
tons in society, as they have been drawn
| by one of the richest female intellects Of
the times, this work presents the first and
the finest opportunity that will soon be
| found Few persons will ever
undertake the labor 10 CLEAN q
| field 50 thoroughly harvested,
and fewer still will be found capable Of
| Withdrawing the wheat from the ChafT.
1t is only among the children of genius
that an intellect can be found capable Of
| looking through the surroundings and
/ the position of the subject and presenting
it in its true light The writer of this
| book spurns the shallow machinery and
| shams 50 common at the present day
| The majority of the recent biographies
| that have ''swarmed like flies around the
| dairy" have been but mmeaning eulogi-
| ums or vcnal gatherings Of unworthy
| subjects. The majority of what have
| been called histories Of the recent period
have no DrOminenceaboyefct fiction, 50 far a.
| the truthfulness of the narrative is con
cerncd, and certainly far inferior in
| truthfulncSS of character The muse Of
| history has either deserted The field or be
! come more treacherOus than rumor herself
In these ''pursey times it is pleasant and
profitable to find a work from mind in
capable of faIsehOOd or mcanncss.
The work in question will or should be
priced by every Tonne who loves
the land so fruitful Of brave warriors,
great statesmen and intellectual and cult
waited women. It is the work of one of
their own daughters, destined to add an
other to the many bright names that Orna-
ment her history. Recently she left the
scenes Of childhood and entered upon the
struggle for excellence in literature in the
great metropolis of the Western world
She demanded recognition at the hands of
the oldest and ablest journalists and au-
thOrs of the age; and she has gained it.
The work now before the public COM
mences with the history Of Mrs. Washing
ton, and closes with a briefnOtice of the pres
ent occupant of the White House. 1t is an
admirable history of the politics of the coun-
try, and the great actors of the period in
which each of the illustriOus subjects
sketched lived 1t is written in a style
worthy of the subject and the age. To be
appreciated, the work must be read. I'm
der the inspirations OF the genius that
brought it out, the past, with all its sur
roundings and circumstances, Is reviewed
and made to pass before the mind of the
reader. The personality Of each lady is
made to appear clear and well deiined-a
labor demanding the very highest manifes-
tation of intelligence. The field, often
almost barren of material from which to
construct anything, would have deferred
any Will less resolute, and any intellect less
fertile, than that which had woven from its
own overlooking intuitions so beautiful az
narrative.
Few readers pause to consider the diff
culties in the way of the authors obtain
ing the facts for his or her work, or the
labor requisite to arrange and express in
a manner acceptable to the public. The
lives of men are recorded with difficulty.
Those of most women are too barren of
incident to merit or obtain distinct repre-
sentatinn. The capacity TO bring out
into relief the real characters of the ladies'
described, and to give each her own indi-
viduality well defined, is rare Gift, and
one to be priced. The reader will not
fail TO recognize the full development of
this power in the work
The authorCss bows with reverence be
fore the affairs of worth and dignity, but |
it must be the worth of utility and the |
dignity of real excellence Mere pTeten- |
tiOus position and prOpriety are but the |
gossamer coverings of existence. The |
actor must do something contrib |
ate something to humanity.
1t is not the bears and wolves of sOcie- |
ty that are crowned at her hands To |
elevate, to refine to ennOble are the works |
she demands of her heroes and heroines.
Whoever desires to read awell connected |
history Of-the more virtuous days of the
republic, illustrated by great statesmen,
orators and soldiers, with
the distinguished ladies of the times as the
central figures, through its moro recent and
unhappy period will find a delightful and
instructive volume.
This history must prove a source Of
pride to all Southern readers, asst is illus
jrated by so many of her great names and
great deeds. 1t is filled with a large por-
lion of her pride and glory, illuminated by
a fund of information never before placed
before the reader. This is espc-
oially true of Tennessee, for she stands
next to Virginia in her contributions
o the governing power of the nation.