The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1876-11-30

Clark Sidpath. a. NJ, Prof.
OF History and l8elIe- ct
vcrsity. Royal cctaNo, IL
lust raj ed vii n M aps, Charts,
Portraits and Diagrams. Sold
S3.So. Jones Bros. 81 CO..
Philadelphia Chicago and
Gin cinnati.
This is indeed valuable book, one that will
give all our people proper ideas of the growth
and character Of oar nation and its free institu-
ticn.
coasts of Labrador and Massachusetts, to the
OpenIng of the Centennial Exhibition at PhIla-
deIphia; from the birth of Columbus to the adj
mission of Colorado as the Centennial State, the
streems of narration flows on in u smoth cur
rent with fitting comments and sufficient eXpla-
nation, every page enliyened by genius and
glowing with an ardent patriotism.
1t says: 1.-The new President, though not yet
thirty years of age, was veteran in every kind
of valuable human experience Born an En-
glishman; trained as a soldier in the wars OF
Holland a traveller in France, Italy and Egypt
again q soldier in Hungary; captured by the
Turks and sold as slave; sent from Constants
nople to prison in the Crimea; killing a task
master who beat him, and then escaping through
the woods of Russia to Western Europe; going
with an army of adyenturers against Morocco
finally returning to England and joining the Lon
don Company-he was now called upon by the
very enemies who had prosecuted and ill-treated
him, to rescue them and their colony from des.
truction. A strange and wonderful career
John Smith was altogether the most noted man
in the early history of America
An ardent patriotism WHITES every page
Particularly does this appear in his closing re
view, which is an admirable summary of the
present condition and prospects of the United
States.
.The visions and dreams Of the Revolutionary
patriots have been eclipsed by the luster of act
uaI accomplishment. The territorial domains OF
the Republic enclose the grandest belt of forest,
valley and plain that the world has IN it; Since
the beginning of the time no other people have
possessed such territory 30 rich in resources
so varied in products, so magnificent IL
physical aspect. Soil and climate, the dis
tribution of woods and lakes and rivers
the interposit' ON of mountain ranges, and ths
fertility of valley and prairie here contribute tC
give TO man a many-sided and powerful
development. Here he finds bays for his ship
ping rivers for his steamers, fields for his ploW
iron for his forge, gold for his cupidity, land
scapes for his pencil sunshine enough for song
and snow enough for courage. Nor has the
Angl0-American failed to profit by the adyan
tages of his surroundings. He has planted ffe'
government on the largest and most liberal scale
known in history. he has espoused the cause o.
liberty and right. He has fought like hero fol
the freedom and equality of all men. He ha'
projected civilization which, though as yet bu
dimly traced in outline, is the vastest and grand
est In the world. Better than all, he believes il
the time to come. SO long as man is anxious
about the future, the future is secure. Only wher
he falls into apathy, sleeps at his post, and care
no longer forthe morrow, 70 the world in DANCE
of relapse aud barbarism."
While tie great ability displayed in the tex
| calls for ou chief admiration, 1t is by no nean
| the only merit of the book. There is also an OBJ
jectiye presentation of the subjeet by a series
colored Chronological charts-which show at
glance what men and events were contemporary
| Upwards of fifty typographical diagrams show
| and q series of excellently drawn and coloret
maps show the political divisions Of the country
| from time to time. These maps are not onl,
| fishers in the makeup of the book, illustrate,
| the perfection to which the art Of book making
has attended. It is an exceedingly able and val
liable work, and as Its low price brings it withil
the reach of all, il should be read and studied b.
every citizen who would be informed of the his
tory and greatness Of his country and his dutie
| towards It.