, 1874-01-11
LITERATURE.
illinois,.

F.: Illinois.
| COMPLETE HISTORY OF ILLINOIS FROM 167
j TO 1873. by ALEXANDER DAVIDSON and EEKSAR1
sIuVE. Springfield: Illinois journal Company.
| Time enough has not elapsed since this 81 His
| tory OF Illinois " has been put into our hands
for us to read it through or to compare it's facts
| and dates with other authorities; bat, from 8
| pretty careful examination OF the work, We are
inclined to believe that it will be found most
valuable contribution to the historical htera-
ture Of the West It certainly contains d vast
| amount of material, there are 944 pages and
whether the comments of the authors are satia-
factory to all reAdors or not,-a thing not to be
expected, for it includes tho whole OF Gov.
Pnlner's Administration, grea. variety OF
interesting facts here collected will giYe tie
book standard value in al ous private and
public libraries.
The work treats Of the State both in its physi-
cal and historical aspects. Considerable space
is devoted to its geologic characteristics, for on
thou depend the pursuits and the wealth Of its
Inhabitants. It's topography, sod, and climate,
its rivers, commercial position with reference to
the other States, progress in wealth aud popula-
tion.-are all properly described. and illustrated
by facts and figures.
Some very interesting chapters aro devoted to
the remains and lhe history Of the races tLst in
habited the State devious to it's discovery by tho
French. The Mound Builders aud thei- success
sors, and the 1ndiaA Tribes tia. roa,ne3 our
prairies before and af:er its occupation by white
men, their WARE wlt4 each other and with the
early settlers, ull matters 0: curious AID ab-
Yorbing interest. Facts that can nnly he found
in large libraries are hero carefully collected for
the benefit OF the present race Of readers.
Tie early voyages Of the old French Jcsuita,
LaSalle, Iarquettc, Joliet, and others.-a1nong
the most romantic and wonderful incidents in
the history of America,-nre all given with
Sufficient detail. This part Of tho book will re-
call great variety OF new and valuable iuforma-
ton to most readers. The HISTORY OF French
s>ttle,neuts and Of Frcuch rule in Illinois is
curious bat tloir influence has faded out OF
sight, and must be nos slowed away among the
records OF the past.
Tho incidents connected with the chauge from
Flench to English rulo tho terrible wa:s with
the Indians, led By Pontiac, whose strength and
supplies were derived mainly from NAn0s,-all
furnish material for most Interesting chapters.
Then Clark conquered the country, ami made it
dependency Of Virginia. That S:ats coded
Illinois and other sections Of tho Sorlhwc to
the Unitol Statcs after which our Territorial
history follows. Theu VIC have the organza~
ton OF tho Territory into State in
1915; and full details OF the bit
ter contest ever the abolition Of slarery,-
all through the book, the progress Of the State
in wealth, population, education,-hef laws and
political and social institutions, arc carefully
poted. The Black Hawk, the Mormon, and the
Mexican Wars all receive proper attention. No
events OF especial value seem to be omitted, and
all are appropriately treated.
TIE political history Of tho State, though con-
tanned in scattered paragraphs, Whenever &C.
quired to Illustrate other iacta, il carefully dis
cusscd u.der tho Administration Of each OF the
Governors in succession. It is not Likely. II ne
had had TIME TO examine the book critically and
carefully, that we could ngreo with a1i the COM
me:ts OF tho authors. That is not to DO expect
ed from any Que. But they are not politicians,
aud appear 70 10 candid, fur men, with mo
so far cs VIC can judge, the facts arc all cor
rectly stated, and the coloring they have given
them-so far as they have auy-wiu now be very
generally approved
The great agitation on the slavery Question
previous to aud during the joiut debates OF Lin
coin and Douglas; the events that led
to the Rebellion. aud the proud posi-
ton IT, , Ton H., BY nlin0is in -, tho e,, bloody .3
treated. In fact, we have a history Of which
every nliuoisan may well be proud. 1t is writ
ton in plain, fo1ciile language, which all Gao
readily understand. Each subject il so treated
~ to be complete in itself. aud follow each
osher in natural order It Is unques;ionably the
mes. comprehensive and complete collection Of
facts in regard to our noble State that has ever
been given to the public. Illinois now has B
historical work that is worthy Of herself The
;ype and tho pnper are both good. It is wholly
N Illinois production, having been
,,inted It the Journal Office, in
Springfield, for tbe authors, Messra.
Davidson l. Stuve. They will send the book to
my pare Of the State prepaid, on receipt OF $5.
It is we'll worth the money, and, in fact. for
difference ia almost Invaluable.