Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-11-09
NEW BOOKS.

Bowie G. Howell, D. d. Philadelphia: The
Bible and Publication Society.
The above is the title of book written
in 1864 by the late Dr. Howell, then pastor
of the Second Baptist Church of Richmond.
Va, but onlyrecently issued from the press.
Dr. Howell was requested to deliver an adj
dress in New York in 1856, before the
American Baptist His,o.iC..l $ icy, AID
he chose for his theme ''The Early Baptists
of Virginia." This address was printed in
pamphlet form by the Historical Society.
and was afterwards enlarged into book by
the distinguished author. The period
treated of commences with the settlement
of the English colony at jamestown, and
closes with the termination of the
eighteenth century. The first charter of
the colony dated April 10, 1906 was grant
ed by James the First, and the Episcopal
Church was the established religion. How
the contest commenced, how it progressed.
and how the Baptists finally triumphed in
severing Church and State, the volume be-
fore us tells with exceeding clearness and
interest.
The struggle for religious liberty, for
freedom of conscience, was long and bitter.
Madison and Jefferson added immensely to
their popularity by engaging in it on the
the side of liberty. The names of MANY
distinguished Virginians, and reference
to their deeds, are recorded in DR.. Howell's
posthumous work. The recent memorial
movement in Virginia, to commemorate
the noble deeds of those who took part in
this struggle, many of whom suffered the
loss Of all their earthly possessions, and
languished in prisons, has attracted unusual
attention. More than aquarter of amillion
of dollars has been subscribed, and nine
tenths of it by impoverished Virginians, to
endow college in the city of Richmond,
whereby to perpetuate the memory of those
heroes, who figure in the book before us.
In the college campus will be raised me-
mortal shaft.
1t is pity that the title page of this
readable and valuable book should have
been marred by a blunder in the name of
the authOr-Boyle for Boyte-a blunder
which is simply stupid, when it is remem-
bered that more than half dozen volumes
had been published by the author, during
his lifetime, some of which were reprinted
in Europe.
For sale by Travel, Eastman & Howell.
Garments INHERITANCE. A romance, by
To-Day Printing and Publishing Company.
This writer has achieved a wide reputa-
ton in the art OF. novel-making, as the sue
cess of ''AIOrtOn House," s|Valerin Ayl-
mer' and mabel Lee" will attest: Car
mems Inheritance" is no mean addition to
the we'll known list. 1t can lay no claim
to being novel in the genuine, classic
sense of the term; nor is it properly a
E1,n,
painting and dramatic interest of the
former; nor the enchanting distance and
ele alton of the latter. 1t is, however,
what We suppose it was intended to be, a
pure and edifying story. In this
sense, it arises far above the
level of mediOcrity, and may be
classed among the most excellent of the
myriads of its own genus. The scene
opens in Paris; the characters are prin-
cipally American, and Southern. They are
there on a fashionable and luxurious
pleasure trip. Much of American society,
as it is among the enthusiastic and intoXi-
Gated sojourners in that city, passes before
the reader, and many interesting events
take place, such as TO develop the plot
which forms the framework of the book.
In this part of the story is to be found the
leading mOral-the triumph of a delicate
and scrupulOuS sense of honor over the
most alluring temptation, against the per-
Sistent arguments Of influential friends,
and even against the earnest appeals
and protests Of mother. The
evolution and denOument Of the
plot take place in America, somewhere
between Maryland and Texas. The catas-
trophy, we are inclined to think, is a little
too elaborate in its description, and the
final event is brought on with some tedium;
but batting this. the finale is a rarely pa
thetic and touching conception. Love con-
Stitutes the 0Rfmd ritGl of the story, but
not one Of its designs succeeds. This dis
appointment, however, falls lightly on the
reader. because it does not seem TO have
been the intention Of the author to make
any one OF the personageS strongly enlist
the affections Of the reader. The authors
style, as is well-known, is elegant. The
conversations, which are mainly in Car
mems InheritanceS to unfold the plot. are
exceedingly witty and ingenious.
For sale by Tavel, Eastman & Howell.
THE OUTLAWS DAUGHTER. \ novel. ByEmer
son Bennett, Philadelphia ClaNtons Remsen
and Haffeliinger.
The publishers propose to issue a COM
plete and uniform edition of Mr.. Bennstt'S
works, of which the one before us is the
initial volume. This, we believe, is to be
the first appearance of these works in book
form. They were first presented through
periodicals and magazines. When they APP
peared. as many will remember, they be-
came widely and favorably known. 1t is
Il gratifying prospect, that they are to be
edited and published in convenientvOlumes
with the skillful and attractive finish, which
the modern finder is able 10 give. We
have examined the Outlaws Daughter"
and find in ii much to praise and nothing
to condemn. 1t is tale of Southern Dor
der life, the scene being
laid in Louisiana at period
period when that State was sparsely settled
by wealthy planters, and still haunted by
those bands of marauders and freebOOters
common to all frontiers. The story is told
in the form of direct narrative from the
mouth of one of the principal persOnages
in the action. 1t is thrilling in the last de-
gree. but never once seems to exceed the
limits of the probable. Nor is its dramatic
interest of that reckless, unreasonable, SEN
timental kind, that usually renders our
frontier stories worthless. It has nothing
slang or vulgar, but much that is striking
and elevated. 1t seems to be addressed
rather to the imagination than to mere SEN
sation. This distinguishes it clearly from
a vast number Of American border tales,
which would be better destroyed than eX-
tant. The power of pOrtraying character,
displayed in this novel, is very much like
that Of Sir Walter Scott, if not quite equal
to it. The black slave, the Yankee, the
Dutclman the young, educated and chival-
rouS American, the rich planter, and noble
Southern maiden, all appear in strong re-
lief. and with fidelity to nature. But, as
in SCOTS novels, national distinctions OF
cl aracter are relied upon; rather than the
minuter differences of individuals. The
authors style is particularly notable, being
a model Of bold, vigorous, plain writing.
Much can be learned from it Of the native
force of the English language. 1t is need
less to add further comment,
other than to say there is ground
for the prediction that Mr. Benefits
writings will take permanent and respect
able place in American literature. Their
force and beauty of style, and the power
that they have over the imagination, seem
to warrant this. The collection will con
sist of "Prairie Flower" ''Clara Moreland,'
Phantom of the Forest" ''BrotherhOod of
Death" Captured Bride" and others.
The volume before lis has an attractive