The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-03-11
ao,rs xxw sooxA

Wu"s "io A"~o u iOi. ~ ~ Oiooh uiu Aoh h'n
eountrymen by writing his History OF the
English People" Mr.. JOHN BACH McMAsTER has
essaved to do for us In Q Hislosv o) the IeoDit
Of tie United States from the Rerotition b ht
Cicn War. Vol L tAppletonsl Tho plan OF the
two works Ii essentially the same. but the
American narrative Is oven moro faithful to
the principles upon which both authors pro-
fess to writc. We hear loss In II about wars.
treaties. and politics. and more about tho man.
nors. customs ideas. and sentiments Of the
great mass Of the people. than in the
English book. The pledge given BY
Mr. MoMastor on his first mage that
tho history Of the people shall be the
chief theme is punctiiiously and satisfactorily
fulfilled He carries out In complete. vivid.
ana delightful way his promise to describe the
dress. tho occupations. the amusements. tho
literary canons Of tho several opochs comnre-
bonded within the scope Of his survey: to note
the changes In morals as we'll "a manners to
trace the growth Of humane spirit In legisla-
ton and tho influence OF moro enlightened
views upon public opinion; to recount the
manifold improvements. the multifarious
Inventions and discoveries which have
marvellously augmented the conveniences
OF life and the productive power OF labor. We
should add that tho literary execution OF tho
work Is worthy OF the indefatigable industry
and unceasing vigilance with which the stores
Of historical material have been accumulated.
weighed. and stfted. Although wo may now
ana then encounter some signs OF carclessness.
the diction. on the whole. Is correct and admi-
rable. The cardinal qualities OF style. lucid
ity. animation. and encrgy arc everywhere
present. Seldom. indeed has book In which
matter OF substantial value has been so hap
PLY united 70 attractiveness OF form been Of
tered ~ an American author to his follow citf-
zens.
Mr.. McMaster begins with spirited and ex-
haustive picture OF American society as 1t
WA ut tho epoch Immediately following the
peace coaciuded with Great Britain. Tho
spscinc nature OF the service rendered by tho
autaor will DO exempltfed by some glimpses
OF ehs state OF things unfolded In hts FIRST
chapter. Let us look. Tor instance. at his ac-
count OF the large towns which represented the
Puritan. tho hollander. and the Quaker ele-
men6 OF our composite population that La TO
say. At Boston. New York. and Philadelphia.
as they were In 1854. or the first
named city We are told that but for
few timo-vorn and fast rerishing
landmarks Bostonian Of to-day would be ut
tory unable to recognize his native place In the
provincial town OF a century ago. lie would
not be abie to find his own Office. his own
house. tho street In which he lives. Cows were
pastured whore the houses OF dense popula-
ton now crowd each other for room. Boys
played ball In the streets now noisy with the
rush OF traffic" At that time there was no
bridge over tho Charles River. and when the
tides were up. the neck being entirely sub
merged. 1t often happened that the town was
cut on from all connection with the mainland"
1t was not till 1856 that.after prolonged discus
sion and violent opposition. tho river was
spanned by bridge. In the mean time rude
ferryboat pliod between tho North End and
Charlestown.
The streets OF tho city were laid out with no
reGularity-mere COW tracks originally.it would
seeni-and the carriageway along these mar
row lanes and alleys was unpaved. Tho side
walks or footways were unfla3ged. Each was.
In the language OF the time. pitched with
largo pebbles. and the footway was marked of
from tho carriageway by line OF posts and a
gutter. aiter tho manner OF many old English
towns.' As to tho houses which bordered upon
the street on either side. they were in the
older portion OF the city mean and saualid.
Built entirely OF wood. with implanted weathor-
board sides and shingle roofs. surmounted by
ugly wooden ratings. within which. every
washing DAY SHIRTS ana potticoats Mapped in
the wind. they contrasted strongly with the
better class OF dwellings on the west side OF the
Town. There the streets were neater. There
the houses OF brick. with Corinthian pilasters
up the 'front.' and columns OF the same order
supporting the porch. and handsome entrances.
TO which led up a long flight OF sandstone stops.
$1,000 BACK In little gardens dense with Eng
hsn eims ana SHRUBS. Honeysuckes twined
round the porch and high damask roses grew
under the windows.
The library In such house was 1t seems.
strange assortment OF good books and OF books
now so gOno out OF fashion that no second hand
dealer Will buy them. Among the sober and
sedate readers OF Boston the Purltanical taste
was vet strong The novels OF Fielding of
Smollett. OF Sterne. and even those Of Richard
son. found no place upon their shelves. Read
ing was moro serious business. The Lives Of
the Martyrs or The Dreadful Effects OF Popery'
stood side by side with 'Vatel's Law OF Nations
ana Wattss Improvement Of the Mind There
mighthave been seen Young's Night Thoughts
Ansons Voyages Lucas on Happiness Rol-
Inns Ancient History The Pilgrims Progress
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