New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LIFE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD.

The author of this volume, though bearing the
name Of Arnold has no nearer tie OF reiatlohsh'p
with the subject of his memoir than that OF u
common ancestor two hundred and ffiy or 'hree
hundred years ago. He has not written the work
under the influence of any personal bias nor with
the intention of excusing the guilt OF the cele-
brated Revolutionary traitor, but IN order TO SET
forth In a legitimate historical narrative the emil
nent services of Benedict Arnold rs soldier and
patriot prior TO the commission of his deeds "i
treacherv aud crime. In preparing the biography,
tie author has pursued an extensive course OF re-
search making use of the manuscript letters III tue
Force collection IN the library OF Congress; the
manuscript letters of Arnold and his WE ana
SISTER in the Department of State at Washington
the Schuyler manuscripts IN the possession vi
the schnylcr family; and the Gates ana I,hlo
papers i'm the possession OF ire Ne"-io,A
Historical Society. He has also drawn iteeS
on the Shipper papers and manuscripts wmoh con-
tain letters from General Arnold ard his wife from
the time of his courship and marriage to his death
in 1901. aud on the correspondence OF his children
in England with Chief-Justice Shipper, and letters
trnm his wife and children 10 bis sister. Hannah
Arnold and lis sons by his first marriage. III Can
ada Other valuable material has been derived
from letters and manuscript documents OF great
historical interest belonging TO different members oil
the Arnold family both IN England and tins conn
irv The author has evidently made diiisent study
of his sources of information, compared Their eVi-
dence with lmpartidlity and good Judgment ana
presented the fruits Of his research IN a compact
and attractive narrative.
According TO the statements Of tine volume. Bene-
diet Arnold was a wild and reckless boy trimming
over with mischief, aud at early age dslin-
euish.d for personal courage, passion Tor aoNeh-
ture and an ardent love of appreciation. In The ex-
element of danger he found an irresistible charm.
lIe had q remarkable quickucss II resource which
made the most daring feats comparatively safe. lie
hated the restraints of Puritan lIte and was re-
parded los the deac0ns and sclcctmen as young dare
devil. The cruelty of his disposition is related IN
anecdotes Of his childhood. Ii has been said that
he would scatter pieces of broken glass in the way
Of his sohoolmates, that they might cut their feet
rs they returned barcfooted from school.
favorite amusement was rObbing birds
nests. and torturing the young birds. His daring
fcats were the wonder Of his companions. When
sent TO mill for grist Of Indian corn, he would
starle his paymatcs by clinging 20 the arms of The
great water-whecl. and going up aud down through
the water with its revolutions. lie early diplayed
the qualities of a leader. In every kind of sport,
especially If II involved dash OF mischief, he was
n dauntless captain and rs despotc among the
BOYS as au absolute monarch On some occasion OF
public rejoicing he brought Geld-piece out upon
the Common and stood it on end. the muzzic
pointing To the SKY. and filling 1t with powder.
r,ropred into il blazing 6rc-brand. He was quick
enough to leap out of the way IN time, ms the blaze
followed within an inch of his face. story is told
of his fighting constable. when only fourteen
years old who had tried to some tar-barrels
which lie and the other boys had appropriated for
a Thanksgiving bonfire. Young benedict was knd
o. his schOOiclows. and always took the part OF the
weak against the strong lie had good education
AT school and academy, including some knowledge
OF Latin and mathematics. In his fifteenth year, he
ian away from home TO enlist as soldier in the
"Old French War," but restored to the family
through the intervention of friendly clergyman.
ut the restless boy soon tired of his quiet Connec
tcut home and longed for the wild life of the from
der HIS Imagination excited with the dreams
of soldiers life and he left his home for second
time to join the provincial troops. But he soon grew
sick of soldering and deserted, tramping his way
back through the wilderness TO Connecticut. lie
had already become familiar with firearms and few
could match him marksman with pistol or rifle
Prior to his escapade in the army, he had entered
large drug store IL Norwich and his return lie
tinued with his employers until he twonty-one.
when he removed to New-llaycn and established
himself rs a druggist aud bookseller. HIS
business rapidly increased. and he engaged in
general trade ana exchange His energy and enter
prise soon enabled HIM TO acquire considerable
property. lie embarked in the West India trade,
Shipping horses. mules beet-cattle and other provi-
sions to those islands He sometimes sailed his own
ships. He formed large business connection in
Quebec. which ne frequently visited, purchasing
horses in Canada for the West India trade. Arnold
was man of commanding figure. athletic, strong,
and active An old soldier who had fought under
him gives q quaint description of the person Of his
commander. He was dark-skinned. with black
hair and middhnc heightj there wasn't any waste
timber in him; he WAS our fighting General, and a
bloody fellow lie was. lie didn't care for nothing,
he'd ride night in. Ii was Come on boys. 'twasnt
60. boys lie was as brave "a man as ever lived"
Some anecdotes related of him at this PERIOD
OF his life which show his physical strength and his
reckless courage. Once, while driving a drove of
beef-catte board vessel. refractory steer re-
fused TO follow. and dashed wildly through the
crowd of men engaged in loading the vessel
Arnold mounted his horse and riding furousy
down the street, overlook the enraged animal and
held him fast by the horns and nose until he was
subduod. At another time, Arnold was accused of
smuggling by a sailor IN his employ TO whom he
had given some offence. Arnold administered to
bin. what he called little chastsement," in the
shape of a good fogging, aud made the man prom
Use 10 leave New-Haven and never return. He did
not 90. however anu Arnold finding HIM still in
town. headed a party who took him to the public
whipping-pOst and gave him forty lashes Arnold
was tried for the transaction aud fined fifty shiI-
Hngs. Again. on one of his voyages to the West
Indies being insulted by the captain of an English
merchant ship lying in the Bay of Honduras he
made no reply, but handing his glove TO the En-
glishman. went about his business. duel was
ranged for the next morning, an island near by.
aud each to be accompanied only by his sec
onds and "A surgeon. Arnold. with his party, was
promptly on the ground. After waiting for
time beyond the hour he was about to leave when