The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-06-12
Mr.. Davis'S Book.


TN, g;se and Fail of the Confederate Coz.
eminent. By JEFFERSON DAVIS, Vols /.
Ali. New York: ID. APPLETON d co.
1861.
The publishers send US so few really valu-
able books that we were hardly expecting
TO receive copy OF this the most saiable new
book Of the day. II is said that the cheap
est form OF the book is $40, and that the
prices run up as high as $25. The sale OF
over fifty thousand copies is said to have
been assured already. As it is sold only by
subscription, the number OF copies that
will be disposed OF at once is probably
knowa. II Mr.. DAVIS receives 81 copy
and be may receive more-he will pocket
100000 this year.
II lsa valuable book. 1t IS the work OF
the chief OF the Southern Confederacy, who
personall, knew its whole public history,
and private, too, II there can be such a
thing as the latter. 1t Is, too, the work OF a
thorough scholar and experienced states
man who was for years part OF the Govern
ment which he tried to abandon. 10 Is, in
short, from the best-iniormcd man in the
late Confederate States. We mean only as
TO fscts--not as to military criticisms, &C.,
&c. we do not say that he knew better
than LEE, or Jackson, or JOHNSTON, what
ought 10 have been done In the field; but
that, being man Of unimpeachable private
character, and above the suspicion that he
could wifulIy misrepresent anything, aud
having the best possible means Of knowing
all the facts OF the history OF the Confede-
racy, be Is as TO them the highest authority
In ibe world.
The fine lkenesses add 10 the cost OF the
book aud to Its desirableness. The first
likeness Is OF JEFF. DAVIS at thirty-twO-a
handsome, Ingenious (almost) boy, accord
ing 20 the picture. Then at intervals fol-
low hkencsses OF JOHN c. CALHOUN; OF all
the members Of the first Confederate Cabi.
net; Of A. Ii. STEPHENS; OF General BEAU
REGARD; q the members OF Mr.. DAyIs's
staff; OF General A. S. JOHNSTON and Gene.
raj X. =. LER; also a map OF the battlefield
OF Manassas, and picture Of Briarfeld, the
early residence of Mr.. DAyIs--alI these in
the frs. volume. The second is equally rich
In Illustrations.
The following Is the dedication:
ITO the women OF the Confederacy,
whose pious minstrations to our wounded
soldiers scothed the last hours OF those who
died far from the objects OF their teDderest
love; whose domestic abors contributed
much 10 supply the wants OF our defenders
In the field; whose jealous faith In our
cause sbone o guiding star undimme6 by
the darkest clouds Of war; whose fortitude
sustained them under all the privatioBs to
which they were subjected; whose annusl
tribute expresses their enduring grief, love,
and reverence for our sacred dead; and
whose patriotism will teach their children
to emulate the deeds Of our revolutionary
slScs; these pages are dedicated by their
couniryman Jefferson Davis"
In the first volume Mr.. DAVIS shows
tbst the southern States had right TO Sc
cede, snd furnishes many authorities to
justify bis argument In the second
volume. be gives the history Of the Con.
federacy Itself. The Federal Government
has 10 lis possession many documents to
which be ought to have had access; but
did not, we suppose. OF course be had
read the books OF General SHERMAN aud
General JosrPH Il. JOHNSTON, and had the
use Of the inssIusble papers OF the Southern
Historical Society. BY the way, be Is very