The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-10-16
LITERATURE.
Books.


pur Irpp or WINFIELD ScorT HANCOCK: Per
sonal, Military and Political. BY Kew. u. \;
Judkin, ID d., late chaplain Z. s. Navy, ana
Frank II. Norton, formerly assistant librarian
Aston Library. Illustrated. d. Appleton *
Co, New York; Jansen, McClurg Co., Ghi'
cago; Osman & Hapeman, Ottawa rr'o''
$l.50.
This is an exceedingly handsome duodecimc
volume Of some 400 pages, not only splsndid In
It's Typography but also richly illustrated. Lives
Of presidential candidates issued during the can
yass are usually dreary stuff, fabricated to serve
the occasion, made up of fusome panegyric and
one. sided presentation Of facts capable OF faVorn
BILE construction to the hero and suppression OF
adverse facts. We can cOnscientiously say, now
ever, after careful perusal Of the biography be.
fore U.s. that it is no one. sided, slipshod epheme,
raj production Of the kind indicated, but a fair,
straightforward, manly history that must live
and retain It's interest and value after as well as
before the election, and whether the issue be Ia
yorable or adverse to its subject. We have Meth
or time or space, however, to enter into an ex-
tended examination OF the work, nor to attempt
10 reproduce in miniature the comely picture OF
true man, both as q hero and patriot, here pre-
sented; but shall avail ourselves Of the language
of another merely to say that 1.-THE book has all
the fascination incident to the narrative Of mill
tary exploits, and possesses peculiar charm of
it's own, derived from the simple grandeur OF the
character Of the man whose career 1t details.
The picture as delineatcd Is not that OF charla-
tan, but Of true man who discharges the duty
imposed upon him because it is his duty, and
does right in the scorn OF consequence because
II is right. Fortunate in infancy and youth, in
the influences Of the Christian belief and prac.
tice, and the literary and professional culture OF
his family circle enjoying early educational ad-
yantages, followed by the discipline and teach.
ing of the military academy; of positive charac.
ter aud fixed principles OF thorough integrity,
absolute truthfulncss, and undaunted courage;
schooled by the tolls Of the march and the camp
and the perlous hazards Of the battlefield, and
taught to obey as well as to command, General
Hancock is presented to us as truly admirable
character, worthy Of elevation TO the most eXat-
ed station"
SHORT LIFE OF WILLIAM EwART GLADSTONE.
By Charles II. Jones. l6mo. PIP. 2J. New
York: ID. Appleton Il CO. Chicago: Jansen,
McCiurg X Co. Ottawa: Osman & Hapeman.
Price, 81 cts.
The book appears in the popular Handy Vol
ume" series of the Appleions, and is Of course
faultless in Typography. 1t lays no claim TO be.
ing full history, but simply an Outline OF ma
terial for fairly accurate general estimate OF
Mr. Gladstone's varied labors as statesman, ora.
Tor and author" Mr.. Gladstones active career
extends over a period Of some forty years, in
many respects the most interesting In English
history, and full history OF the man during that
time would involve the history Of his country,
which Of course cannot be given in volume OF
the dimensions Of the one before us. Yet We
have picture OF the great statesman and orator
that is in many respects satisfying, and drawn
by hand that succeeds in inspiring the behold.
er with large share Of the artists own admira-
ton for his subject.
The leading characteristics Of Mr.. Gladstone
as presented in this sketch, and no doubt truth.
fully, are great versatility, intense activity and
unquestionable conscientiousness. As an author
probably his postbumous fame will rest mos,
solidly on his ''Studies on Homer" embracing
three large volumes, and involving in themseve:
the labor Of an ordinary lifetime; yet he has
written copiously and admirably on vast varie
ty OF other subjects, literary, political and reli
gious, so that his writings alone, saying nothing
OF his speeches, would Gil many volumes. Yet
considering the prominent part he has ever born,
in English politics, his activity in parliament il
the cabinet-for many years as premier-ant
his Iabors on the rostrum and stump" and 1t 1,
a marvel how he should nnd time for the toll ant