New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-01

This is something more than imitation and is
wholly unworthy of an author who has shown him
self capable of painstadng and sustained work.
The whole Of his descriptive chapter on the America
of 1884 follows in style and arrangement the SINH
lar cbantcr of Nlacaulay on the nglaud of 1888.
This is indeed an easy way of writing history,
and as far as literary accomplishment goes it is lit
t1e better than the art of the copy-book.
For the careful collection and comparison
Of his facts Mr. McMaster deserves. with some cx-
ccptions hearty praise: but commentator of
the work as a striking literary performance is out
of Mace Skilful imitation is not virtue When il
descends to the actual adaptation OF sentences or
entire passages mafats mHidndis IL becomes a crime
not easily distinguishaDls from theft.
Surely common honesty, not to say common
corrtesv. should have led Mr. McMaster TO give
some sort Of credit to Mr.. RIves for the of his
matter as follows
ue}fosie's Hisfg pp 274,lRircs's Lie and Times Of
30. MADISON. roll H. pp. A., 45.
Harrison. Brsxton and The body contained a
Meriwcthor Smith were smaller number than
for Sfate measures NOrusual OF old members IN
were there in the House vested with traditional
of Deputlos. three mennfucncc. Colonel llar-
whose opinions wereris,n. Mr. Braxton and
heard with greater re- Nr. Merwether Smith
spect They were. per- were perhaps. the oldest
haps the oldest members members. All three OF
al the House. and pos them had been members
sesqed n that traditiOnaiOf the Continental Con
influence which III legs- gress a. well as often
latlve bodies is alwaysemployed IN the coun-
exercised by the old mencs OF the state, and the
over the new. They hah.ltwO former had the
all three Of them. beenfufther prestige of being
members of the Cont lsigners of the Declaration
mental Congress had often of Independence
been employed in the Colonel Harrison
councils of the State, bold. frank man. and
" lie Harrison and Brax had been Jealous and de-
ton added the further re- cided IN all the early
nown OF having set their movements OF the ReyOlu-
names 10 the Declaration ton. When John Dick
of independence. Benla- lns0n IN the Congress OF
MN Harrison was bold ITO expressed BIS self
frank, OutsDOken man. complacency with regard
He had all his life beenlto ihe second petltloa to
active IN the cause Oi the King, Of which he
liberty and had, IN the was himself mainly the
early movements OF the Author. by saying there
Revolution borne partIwas but one word III the
marked with zeal ardpaper of which he disap-
decision. story is told proved, and that was the
OF him which deserves t0lwOrd congress- IL was
be narrated as it finely Colonel Harrison who
illustrates the character rose and SAID There IL
of the In the Con but one word in the paper.
gress of 1775, when the MIR. President, which
second petition TO the approve. and that word
King was under discus ~ Congress"
sion. John Dickinson. MIR. Braxton. though rs
who had the chief part Inhad shown no want OF
framing il, said thatirmness or zeal in main
there WAS but one word I'M aiming the rights of
the paper lie dIsapprOved America at all times. and
of, and that word was was even among the
Congress. Scarcely had champions of Mr. Henry's
he said so when neutrality-suspicious. on the Stamp
iumDed to his feet andAct had incurred tenn
exclaimed There Is butpOrarv loss of popularity
one word III the paper.by the scheme OF gov
Mr.. President, which lernment which he recon-
approve, and that word mended to the Virginia
is Congress" In the war Convention. under the
he earned arms with dis signature Of a NatIve,D
fncton rose TO be colo I'm 1776 It was III conse-
mel OF a regiment OF foot quence OF the bad odor
had lately Deen GOvernorOf tnat scheme, egaIded
of Virginia and had COM with the more jealousy,
menced the present SEES perhaps. on account OF
SION of the Legislature the former residence of
with an animated c0ntestthe author for year or
for the Speakers char. two in England, that he
Braxton like Harrison. was soon afterward pre-
was early distingulshedt ermltted IN the delega-
for the lirmness and zeal ton to Congress.
with which he defended Alr. Merlwcther Smith
the rights Of the colonies; was much conversant IN
no one had been more affairs both public and
active IN behalf OF Henrys private. His pursuits and
resolutions on the stamp com stions as q T9er-
Act. Yet his popularity chant, while they gave