New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-17

book OF the typical abolitonist, IN the person VI
the nrofessor from Oxford, Ohio Is certainly I'M
pleasant as well as unjust. and blemish upon tho
authors art: but even that has value as sho".pe
very faithfully how the intense prejudces Oh 'naV
time distorted the images and msrepresen'ou 'n0
characters of the men WHO fought slavery ioi Gun
science sake Aud such misrepresentation
by no means confined to the South. III mas nov poon
the custom of Americans to think oil our nis'oiS
between the end of the Mexican war ana 'ho ou'
break ~ the rebellion as a period OF dramatic acI'
itv and romantic color aud it is not the easV goou
thing about this book that IL reveals the "o"'' Va
that time in materials for fiction.
e II would be unjust TO the author OF Inc "ou-
ern Hagar to leave upon our readers ihlnu' Wv
;mrression that he is at all points prciudiced OF
that he IS disposed to nurse his preudices a' 'i1
EXPENSE of truth. His outspoken uterance ol
onrions and sentiments which few readers oil our
time will share is but an index of his utter ana re-
freshinq frankness He SAYS what he THINKS anu
his thinking is nok subject to his preJuu'co'
HE 4roo+r,nnt of Hrars case is ILLUSTRATION VI
this and there are many others. The gaiiahViS "
the Union troops receives many FRANK trlou'o' ~
III. hands He delights to emphasize the mig Son'1
If honor shown by Union officers anu soluo'0' ""
he do,s not hesitate to Introduce anu '0o"'
suenk on the other SHE; whi!o IN the sAo'"
life in various parts of tie South durins '"o
which Kate Hartleys letters present ''i0 ""'P
not spared upon occasion. lie does hoU o"i" n'S
frorpr.ss even where his opinions are OF KIND
tbot readers arc sure to laugh at. He exposes win
refreshing candor his pet theory that inc gro" III
of slavery and its evils WAS due to The cesioh o to
Northwest Territory, Assuming that that cesslon
led 10 the settlement Of the Territory by grasNng
grsin-growers instead of the Nirginian emancipa
tionIsts, he goes on TO explain how, in his OPINION
slavery vas encouraged in the South in
order that the Northwest might have market lor
its products All this is elaborated with charming
indifference TO the ridicule it IS sure to excite
The author has wisely chosen to take some OF his
more imputant personagcs from the North ard
some from the South. while few, like Mrs. Carts
brooke are difficult to class That spnghtly dame
is a Vrginian by birth and rearing; but she Is
married to an Ohio man and lives IN Clnclnna"'
Most of her closest friends Southernrrs ana Con
federares; bnt some are from the North ana
her pet daughters husband is general
officer in the Union army In this way we
are enabled TO see the war from three dlS'incV
points of view at the same time and TINS IS man
aged SO cleyery that one must suppose the author
70 have stood in position similar TO that OF 5lls
Carisbrooke while the struggle went on.
The book is a remarkable one in many ways, and
il il certain to be read aud talked about IN circles
where mere novels receive very little attention. III
is cast in large mould. and if lacks something OF
the delicate finish which it is just now the fashion
TO give to works of fiction II has unusual breadth
| and strength The novelist in this case is IN
tensely in earnest and his themes are those OF the
earnest man who understands that life is not mere
| dalauce with sentiment in summer resorts or on
European trips; that other thing besides the loves
| Of yonnr men and madens are fit for the uses OF
| fiction that asiue from NOolngs and Weddings as
appointments and sghngs life is full of passionate
intensity and strenuous endcavor. Not many readers
! will share the authors opinions upon the men aud
events of our recently past history; and to some.
| perhaps, the book will give offence IN various
ways; but more Will pardon both its offences and
| its shortcomings and forgive its rank prejudice. IN
consideration of its high qualities as work OF art
and its worth as literature. 1t is by no means uni
formly good literature: but in the main. at least,
it Is strong and virlle, and has qualities which
should commend it to something more than passing
attention.