The Portland daily press., 1883-03-29
Blaine's Book.
some Features of the Ex-secretary'
Forthcoming Work.

/ recently had conversation with one of
the most intimate friends of ex-Secretary
Blaine, writes "Gath" from New York /
asked him:
'What book is this Blaine is wriiiugs'
Gle has made contract with an eastern
publishing house, in Hartford, l think, to
write his memoirs and criticisms of Ameri-
can public life from the beginning of Lin
coins administration TO the close OF Gar
fields. Experience has shown that books OF
that character have large sales. The writ
ing of his book will give him occupation,
which is quite necessary to q man Of his
style and activity, and it will also pay him
respectfully well. Indeed, / am told that
his contract is good one. Blaine makes
good bargains"
s'Said /, "Does he dictate the book
No; he can't dictate at all. | have seen
Blaine make several efforts to use stenog
rapher, and his mind will not work rapidls
and decisiyely unless he has made the mag
netlc contact OF his pen with the paper.
Then he can throw off his manuscript clean
and regularly, hardly interlining or erasing
anywhere.
GLOW many hours a day does he work at
the book?'
81 think he gets to work in the neighbour
HN0Q Nl ~ . CtONk III tlC AipliilifEs stlShS
at it till perhaps / o'clock. Then he lays it
by till next day, and gives the rest Of the
day to research and to society. He cannot
even use an assistant to hunt up his author
titles. One of his friends sent him man ex-
pert at that business, and Blaine said: "Why
| can beat any three men | ever saw chas-
ing up my library points"
II hear said TO my informant, shat
Blaine Is going to make avery strong feature
Of the Oregon discussion of 80 or 40 years
ago?H
point said my friend, "but his book will
have strong leaning toward the vindlca-
tion of his conduct while secretary of state,
and hence will deal with our diplomatic CON
dact, in one or more strong chapters
"Do you know anything about the book as
far as it has gomez?
''Yes; he will complete the first volume
during the present year and give it to the
press. know that he has taken a very
original view of Jefferson, not so much as a
theorist as in his diplomatic line. He re-
CARDS Jefferson as having shown remarka-
bic diplomatic ability when he played En-
gland off against France TO get Louisiana.
At that time have heard him say, the Brit
ish had ships of war in the gulf to pounce
upon New Orleans and the French posses
sions generally, and Jefferson, through his
ministers, played on the fears of Napoleon
and extorted from him the immense conees-
sion OF Louisiana for very small sum of
money, and had even that reduced by play
ing off French spoliation claims against 1t
Mr.. Blaine also takes very cheerful view
of the southern character. l think his
book is without the least sectional aerimouy
and very kind toward the South. He is in
absolute retirement, and that is why he is
writing his book. He regards his political
life as probably closed. His book that he is
writing will give him literary status in
accordance with his original ambition as a
journalist and school teacher SO there is
no humbug in his being out Of any plan to
get the presidency"
'sWillhe evade speaking about Conkling
in his new book?'
'sNo; Blaine Is magnanimous person.
He is not going to write book for the sake
of inflicting taunts on his rivals and equals
think he will treat of Conkling in an up
right, appreciative way.