Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1885-02-13
MARYLAND:
The History Of Palatinate by William Hand
Browne. Boston, Houghton, Miffiin Z Co.
10 mo-, pp. 292. S125.


Every Marylander who loves his dear old
native State, and who is justly proud of her
bright record on which is traced in glisten-
ing letters legend of glory, owes no small
debt of gratitude TO the author and the pub.
fishers of this handsome little volume 1t
has seldom been our pleasure to peruse q
historical sketch so intensely interesting
The story of Maryland during the colonial
days, though not marked by such thrilling
events as took place in some of her sister
colonies, is yet of great Importance. For
then II was that the morning star of Amer
lean liberty, glinting through the riffs, be-
gan to touch with silvery light of prom
Use those dark clouds of despotism and po-
ltical servitude which hitherto had brooded
over benighted land.
The value of study Of history results
from the fact that in the development of
thought and the progress of civilization all
the parts are logically bound by a connect
ton at once necessary, natural and organic.
The law of causation is co-extensive with
the universe. Nothing in the realm of mind
or matter happens without a sufficient and
efficient cause. A bloody revolution, in
volving the rights and happiness of ma
ton, and the tiny rill that runs tinkling over
the rocks, each are subject to this law Of
cause. The philosOphic historian, therefore,
recognizing the relation, INTERPOLATION and
correlation of human motives, acts and pur-
poses, viewing the action of thought upon
events and the reaction of events upon
thought, never rests satisfied with mere re-
cital, but strives always to explain. He
never forgets that the present is the out
growth and evolution of the past.
1t is thus exceedingly profitable for Amer
leans to ponder well the historical our
Estates, and we think. that Messrs >0ly6gh-
ton, Mfflin g. Co., In publishing their series
on american Commonwealth" have rem
dcred the public valuable service But
we must return TO our review.
Of all the colonies, Maryland and Penn
sylvania alone were possessed by single
proprietor. And Of these two, Maryland is
by far the more interesting to the student,
as an example of feudal Jurisdiction. AT
! the time that Maryland was settled the iron
grasp of feudalsm had by no means been
entirely loosened. The Lord Proprietor
was truly feudal prince, although he held
lands and waters by free socage and not by
tenure absolutely feudal. He could, as Dr.
Browne informs us, build towns, declare
war and conclude peace, lay taxes, and make
provision for the administration of justice
His power was ample TO make laws, by and
with the consent Of the freemen in the pala
innate; to form manors, and to establish
churches DR.. Browne has mentioned in
teresting instances of courts-eet and courts
baron held on the manors. During the sew
enteenth century Maryland continued un-
der this feudal rule making sure progress,
however slow. DIR. Browne has drawn the
outlines of the times with a skill worthy of
his high reputation. Each page bears the
marks of his erudition. He writes, more
over, in spirit of candor, virtue which,
alas with too many historians is conspicu
GUS by its absence. The settlement of the
coonists in our beautiful State of emerald
plains and buttressed hills, and gliding
streams and twilight forests; the irritating
disputes with Claiborne and Penn; the
noble spirit Of federation which is one of the
glores of our history; the ravages Of the
Indians; the jangling discords that from
time to time broke in upon the peace of the
province, and the steady growth in wealth
and ntelligence-these all are ably and
pleasantly described. Some find the history
Of Maryland at this time dull and stupid
And in truth it is not tale of clashing
swords and blazing torches, but neither is it
marred by the madness of witch craft or
the intolerable bigotry that drove Roger
Williams out into the winters snow with
naught To comfort him but his Fathers star
within.
In Maryland during the eighteenth cen
fury, the people began to claim the right of
self-government, and the tones in which
they asserted this principle were neither
feeble nor constrained. We confess that
here is our chief interest in the States colo
NAL history. AS DIR. Browne, in hs clear
English, wildly depicts the brave aud de-
termined struggles of our sturdy old fore
fathers, our hearts burn with love and al
miration for their gallant deeds. Verify we
have reason TO be proud of those patriots of
the olden time May Maryland ever be as
devoted to the cause of liberty
Thus excellent in its execution, it is not
surprising that work so concise yet 50
complete, SO rich in sketches of colonial life,
and so replete with historical information,
has been received with encomiums by the
critics and with much gratitude by the
people 1t well deserves a place in every
Maryland home where the memory Of the
sacred past is cherished. Let the young es.
pecialy, read it, and draw from its pages an
inspiration for noble deeds.
For the mechanical make up of the book
the name of the firm publishing it is a sutll-
cient voucher.
LEE DAVIS LODGE.