New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-24
MAYNE REID.

The death Of Captain Mayne Reid brings to a
close career which has been mainly devoted to
the entertainment and instruction OF children. lie
was both in the quantity and quality OF his work.
the most successful writer of juvenile literature OF
the generation. Captain Marryats books were
more original and displayed greater resources OF
humor and literary art, but they were written eX-
clusiyely for boys whereas Captain Nayne Reid
had a way Of interesting the girls well as the
bows in his wood rangers, scalp hunters and white
chiefs Tho influence of his books was always
= wholesome He was not, however, wholly satisfied
with his reputation pure, entertaining ana sue
ccssful writer for children. He longed to address
an older audience and was disheartened by his tall-
ure to conduct a daily paper in London
As Captain Mayne Reid grew Older he became
more radical in his political views and during his
closing years was a sincere Republican Settled in
corner Of England where he felt himself TO be cut
off from society and occasionally snubbed,
pcrhaps by tho inferior country gentry,
he grew cynical and sighed for another order OF
government. His reflections upon the tendencies
Of civilization under a monarChcal and arstocratlc
form Of government became gradually emblttered.
His series Of papers published year ago In HE
TriBUSE on Rural Life Ia England bore the
impress OF his rcpublcanism and his discomfort.
Al the same time il was n startling revelation OF
many phases of the social condition and lmpoNer-
shmcn of the country. The writer of those letters
WAS not IN sympathy with the English ideas, but he
,yos a keen observer and thoroughly sincere and
honest man. In spirit he was an American rather
than an Engshman, tho best years of his life hay
inc been passed in tho Red River country and on
the Western plains whore he gathered that rich
store of adventures and impressions from which no
could always draw in writing his stories. His ma
ture was not only freshened but wdencd by ms lie
of freedom aud independence in the great forests,
and when he came to settle down in his old age the
restraintg and conventionalities of English life
seemed 10 him needlcSsly artificial and enervating.
Captain Rcid's latest literary scheme, rs detailed
in a priyate letter 90 the Editor Of Til T. TRIBUNE
dated October g of this year was to write his per-
snual "reminiscences of the Mexican war, out OF
which he thought to mako stout octave volume.
His plan was to give tho picturesque episodes ot the
war. with as he said, an account OF our camp and
biyouac life the feelings which existed botw cen
the different arms of tho service las between regu-
lar. and voluntcorsO aud also our rotations
with tho Mexican people, intorwovon with de-
scriptons of their customs and manners; also, the
natural history Of that still lttle-kuown land"
"Tbouqh avoiding purely historic details" he con-
timed. IL trust 10 make the work instructive, and
bope also TO produce n more interesting book than
any of nv poor romances Above all do wish to
nont ont to tho world fact credtablo to the great
Republic / hold so dear, namely that the
invasion of Mexico by tho United States
ARMY is so far as | know. the only
invasion Of an encmys country yet recorded III
history that was conducted on civilized principles,
and the only one where tho soldiers were under the
control and discipline of their officers"