New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
A FOOLS ERRAND.


ton of historical facts rs well TO be admired for
Its mastery power of picturesque and pathetic
description. In point of vivid scene-painting sub
tie ntuitions of character. and coIoquiai racness
and humor, many of the sketches in this volume
NAV we'll challenge comparison with the most efec-
tive passages in our fictitious literature not except
ing the wonderful pictures of actual life in Uncle
Toms Cabin" The ambition of the author. how
ever is evidently not in the sphere of Imagination
but In the domain of historical and political instruc
ton. The prophet-lilSe words which fall from his
pen have been prompted not by the playful sugges-
lions of fancy but by the grave carnesness of burn
inc convictions. He feels that he has solemn
message for his country and he wastes no time in
Disgusting its pregnant import by artistic
embellishments The work purports 10 be the
record of actual experience. describing the results
of an attempt TO establish home in the
South after the peace of 60. In the person of the
hero Comfort Servossc. we have character of
marked and vigorous individuality, descendant Of
the early French settlers, but inheriting on his
mothers side large infusion of the original Puri-
tan blood His parents had emigTated before their
marriage to the State of Michigan, where in due
time their son was born, who after receiving col
lego education became practising lawyer IN the
Michigan courts. The event of the battle Of
Bull Run decided Kim to enter the army in de-
fence of his country. lie saw good service III the
conflict and upon the return of peace, instead OF
resuming the practice of his profession he resolved
60 take his wife and only daughter, then child OF
four or five years, to the South, ana estaOlsh MS
family amidst the ruins of slavery. He had no mis-
pivings as TO the result hut entered upon the new
life with confident purpose and high hope Ihe Tears
of his wife III regard TO "a residence In the midst OF
rebels were queted by the assurance that there was
not shadow of danger the war was over, and they
IL, aagh OIL on
field were now the best Of friends. For
few months. indeed there might he disorders in
some places but they would DC of nfrCquent occur
renee and would entirely blow over IN the course
Of a short time. The Fool " admitted that there
must be important changes. With the disappear
ance of slavery. things must turn into new grooves
Bnt the country would rapidly settle; manufac-
lures would spring up; emigration would pour in I;
the best part of the soldiers would find homes in
tie South and the land in few years would he
transformed into a garden of Eden. But the ardent
enthusiast forgot that the social conditions of more
than two centuries are not to be changed in mo-
ment that differences which have outliYed genera
lions anu finally ripened into war, never healed
by simple victory, that the broken link cannot be Sc
curcly Joined by mere juxtapositon ofthe fragments
hut must be fused and hammered before its fbres
will readily unite"
An old family plantation of SIX hundred acres
now greatly run down, was purchased through an
agent at a somewhat exorbitant price. and Colonel
servosse sold his pleasant home in Michigan and
went 10 seek his fortune in the land of Dixie. 1t
was the middle of October when the family entered
upon tho new possession. Every thing was so new
aud lovely TO the yOung mother and the little Lily
that no lack of creature comforts could lave
checked their enthusiasm. The balmy air, the fresh
and unfamiliar landscape, the strange sense of $50
laton which marks the plantation life of the South
and above all the presence of the husband and
father who had been so long away at the war, COM
bined to fiji their cup of happiness to overlooking.
Meta rode with her husband all over the country,
through the thick woods along tie bTldle-path,
where the ground covered with the rich
Autumn foliage past the little country farm-h houses
and the seats of wealthy planters, every one whom
they met, whether of high low degree, having
something about him which was new and strange
10 person of Northern birth and education.
The situation soon after their arrival on the spot
is set forth in lively cOlors III letter of Meta to
her sister in Michigan. The climate is described
superlatiyely lovely. Everything out of doors was
touched with the delicious harness which broods
over the Autumn days of the Northern Indian Sum
iner There was the same soft dreamy languor, and
The same sense of infinite distance all around They
all spent much of their time on horseback. The
roads were so rough that there almost no get
ting about IN any other way; but 1t was delightful
TO ride through the shady vOod-paths. and the
winding country-roads. Servossc had presented
his wife with beautiful bay mare, while he had
kept his old war-horSe LOllard, magnificent ami
mai who with young descendant of the same name,
IS made 10 play conspicuous part III the subsequent
narrative The people seemed kind and attentive.
Many gentlemen called on the Colonel. They were
agreeable pleasant men. and all of them colonies or
squres. Only a few ladies. however, called with
their husbands, and they appeared less gracious in
their manner and not SO cordial IN their welcome
the gentlemen None OF them were pressing in their
invitations for a return of the courtesy.
The fist Winter and Spring passed away with no
remarkable to enlven the history. Servossc
was busy in putting up new houses and IN laying
ont and selling large part of the plantation. The
coored men were of the best character and thrifty
habits They were anxious to buy land, but no Que
else was willing to sell to them. Servosse pur-
chased some old Confederate buildings which were
sold 10y the Government, and out of the materials
constructed a number of neat cottages on the lots
which he sold. He also assisted many of them TO
buy horses, agreeing 10 take bis pay out of the
crops they were 10 raise. Meantime he paid great
deal of attention to the fruittrees he sound upon
the place of which there were many thousands in
full bearing. The plantation soon assumed the APP
pearance Of tIdiness and thrift, instead of the
neglect aud decay which had before Deen lts us
iinguishng features There was some fault found
with the sales which no made to coloTed men, as
tending 20 place the negroes on an equality with
the whites. but he was good-natured and
straig htforward about il, that little said and
nothing was done in the matter at the time,
though he heard Of organizations in
parts of the State to prevent the blacks
from owning horses or buying land. The next
Simmer was well advanced when he went one day
10 attend a political meeting in a grove seven
miles distant. The meeting had been called for
consultation IN regard TO the general interests OF