The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-12-03
LITERATURE.
Books.


SKETCH OF EDWARD COLES, SECOND governor
OF ILLINOIS, AND OF THE SLAVERY STRUGGLi
or 1891 prepared for the Chicago Historical
Society, BY +. B. Washburn, Honorary Mem
Der Of the Society. Chicago: Jansen, NC
Clurg & Co. Ottawa: Osman IL Hapemen
Price sl.75.
Edward Coles was a native OF Virgania, the
son OF wealthy planter and owner OF numer
Gus slaves and therefore preemnently scion
OF the +. F. VS.. Enjoying the advantage OF a
proud, wealthy and aristocratic lineage, and such
adornments as university education could add
to an acute and vigorous mind, few men have en-
tered upon their IN anhood with a surer promise
Of brilliant career. This seemed more than a
promise In the case OF Edward Coles, who, on
barely attaining his majority, was appointed prir
vate secretary to President Madison, and later
was entrusted by him with an important mission
to Europe. But, nurtured in the older and better
school OF Virginia democracy, an intimate
friend and disciple OF Thomas Jefferson and i'm
bued with his principles, Mr.. Coles had, like
Jefferson, conceived strong aversion to the In
etitution OF slavery, and on the death OF his
father falling heir to q number OF slaves, decided
not only to set Them free, but also to establish
them in free state on homes Of their own. To
this end he sold all his possessions in Virginia
and moved with his people to Illinois, giving to
and settling each head OF family upon quar-
ter section Of land. But while imagining him
aelf so safe in that great Northwest Territory,
which by the ordinance Of 1857 had been dedi-
Gated to freedom forever, what was Mr.. Coles
surprise to find himself not only surrounded by
covert slave owners, but by population fierce
to have the institution legalized As a permanent
institution in Illinois. Fortunately, by division
among the pro,slavery men, elected governor
within a year two after his location in the
state, Mr.. Coles lost no time to have the great
question Of freedom or slavery brought to sou-
ton, and thus was the means of inauguratng,
Is well as conducting to u triumphant issue one
OF the most remarkable rs well as most import
ant political contests ever waged in this country
The sketch Of Mr.. Washburne presents faith
full picture, in all its noble llneaments, Of the
man who led the van In this great battle, as we'll
as of many OF his captains and lieutenants. For
its preparation besides his scholarly attainnents
Mr. Washburne had the advantage OF having
placed in his hands. by the son OF the late Gov.
Coles mass Of private papers and correspond
ence which afforded authentic data upon many
hitherto disputed points, and illustrated the
whole history with great clearness. Mr.. Wash
burne has used the material thus placed In his
hand both with excellent judgment and fautlcss
taste and has given us a sketch no less valuable
Tor its historic Importance than admirable as
literary performance.
TALES OF THE CARAVAN, Inn AND PALACE. By
William llautf. With original illustrations.
Translated from the German by Edward l..
Stowell Chicago: Jansen, McClurg II Co.
Ottawa; Osman IL Hapeman. Price 1929
The history OF German literature offers few
more pathetic episodes than that covered by the
story OF Wilhelm HauG who had burst upon the
horizon as literary star Of the first magnitude
at the age Of %, and as suddenly went out at "a.
While his "Man in the Moon" brought him first
and most prominently into notice. his "Taes Of a
Caravan" &c, are accounted the most chaste
and finished Of his compositions, and justly take
rank in the estimation OF the highest literary
authority with the "Arabiaa Nights" If not, In.
deed, in many regards, entitled to be placed
e. above them.
The translation by Mr. Stowell seems admira-
oily done. Enjoying the advantage OF an acquaint-
ance with the original, We attest with pleasure
the falthfulness OF the translator in maintaining
the naive simplicity OF style of the original, which
IS peculiar charm. The book Is beautifully print.
ed and richly bound, and no doubt will adorn many
center table before New Years as a holiday
present. for which it is admirably adapted.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL As.
ISOLATION. July and October 1881. New
York: Published quarterly by the Association
81 year.
Each numhpr cnntaipa frnu 10 In
aud closely printed octave pages of matter pre-.
pared by the ablest agrcultur!sts and hor,icul.
tursts in the country for the especial enlighten.
ment and instruction OF tillers of the soil. In
the number before us are elaborate essays on
''Electro-H Horticulture" by DR.. C. W. Siemens
on "Preyentable Losses" by Prof !. p Roberts
1.-THE Fuel Problem on the Treeless Plains" by
Oscar A. Mulon; THE Railroad and the Farm
err BY Edward Atkinson; &c, &c, embracing
papers by at least % representative statistcians
and agriculturists OF the country. The work is
Issued by an association to which all persons in
sympathy with its aims are eligible to member.
chip and are invited to join. Two dollars cover
the registration fee and annual dues, and all
members are entitled to each number OF the
Journal free, to all other publications Of the So
ciety, and TO free admission to its exhibitions.
Address j. II. Real, Secretary, l27 Water st.,
New York
The AMERICAN NEWSPAPER. By Charles bud.
ley Warner. Boston: James r. Osgood d Co
The above is print, in very neat book form,
OF paper read by the author before the Social
Science Association in September last One is
attracted on the threshold by the remark, as true
as It is pointed, that though the author has met
many people who are unable to pay for news.
paper, be never heard OF any unable to edit one.
Another good point ia, that newspapers, SO far
from being, as is so often alleged, mere rumor.
nongers, in reality hunt down ard correct ru
mors started by the public. In short, the essay
Is full Of many pertinent and true things about
the press, not the least striking part being the
contrast between the old newspaper, which was