The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-20
PHELAN's SCHOOL HISTORY.
The Book Critically Reviewed and Pro-
nounced Unsatisfactory.


of Tennessee, which we have examined
with care and interest.
II is a neatly printed, well bound vol
ume OF 233 pages, between lids OF about
5x7 inches in size, and the reading matter
is divided into thrty-two chapters OF con-
venicnt lengths. There is a brief reference
to or synopsis OF the contents, bntno index
whatever, which is a serious fault in text
book. There are iorty-oight illustrations,
being very good licensees OF prominent
men OF Tennessee.
The history begins with the first settle
ment on Tennessee soil and ends with the
mention Of X. l.. Taylor's election Tor q
second term rs Governor in 1888.
We began the examination OF the book
predisposed TO commend and indorse it;
but we were sadly disappointed in 1t us
either text book Tor schools or general
reading.
Mr.. Phelan's larger history Of Tennessee
is an admirable work and exceedingly in-
teresting and entertaining.
This "School History" is very good in
It's first part, covering the period from 1850
20 1850. From the latter date TO the end
IL is an imperfect biography OF prominent
Tennesseans, interspcrscd with mention OF
political contests and elections.
We regret TO be thus critical in review
ing the book, but the prominence given 10
II by the introduction OF bill into the
Legislature TO force its adoption MS text
book in the public schools, makes close
inspection and honest expression OF its dc.
iecls duty.
There is n map OF Tennessee showing the
boundaries OF each county, the location OF
principal cities and towns aud the lines OF
railroads. II Is well printed and well
drawn map, bu, fails to show all the lines
of railway, which all will admit TO be u Sc
rious defect, since the transportation iaciIi-
ties of State Is one OF its most important
features. IL does not give the least indica-
ton Of the line OF railway which is being
built from Memphis 10 Nashville and
which is now about completed to the Ten
nessce River, thus leaving several West
Tennessee counties without apparent
railroad transportation. II also fails 10 10.
cate the line OF road now being rapidly
built between Nashville and Knoxville.
For q map drawn in 1859 these are mex.
cusnble omissions.
ANNAN ~ hNN NN'h ~ hbfnNN w hNN NNli'
siitution of the State TO DO found in the
whole book, much less reference to the
Constitution Of the United States.
II were better. in our opinion, for tho
children OF the Stale TO know something OF
the foundation principles aud character OF
our Government, than TO know that Gen.
Jackson fought duels, or that Robertson
brutally massacrcd unsuspecting and in.
nocent Indians at Nickojack.
The author seems 10 think that the
children only need TO know OF the per-
sonal chanc,crof the Indian fighters and
the politicians and the volunteers in the
Mexican and civil wars.
II seems TO us that the book could more
appropriately b. entitled "a Brief and In
accurate History 81 the Politics and Poll
ticians Of Tcgnefce." for the work is
certainly not satisfactory nor complete as
a history, especially rs a school history to
give children Information concerning their
State.
For instance. here Is the only reference
20 the present Constitution, adopted In
1870. ~ call for constitutional conven.
ton was submitted TO the people aud car.
ried by largo majority. and the conycn.
ton met In January, 1870. Numerous
changes were made in the Constitution oI
Tennessee 10 adapt the State 10 the new
order Of things Tho amendments as
made were ratified by popular vote in
NAV, 1870"
We submit the question whether no i'm.
poriant q document should be 10 slightly
mentioned. Should not the history, which
the author asks that the children OF the
State be compelled TO buy aud study, con.
tain some note, nj least, OF the "numcrou,
changes" made In the organic law OF the
Commonwealth, and tell something about
the new order Of things" which ncccssi.
tatcd such changcsi
There Is an equally unsatisfactory refer
cncc 10 the reconstruction Of the States
after the war, aud the effect Of Federal
legislation upon tho politics aud material
interests In Tennessee.
In the entire History" we found not q
single reference 10 the population OF Oh,
State. The child who must learn all hC
knows from this book could not tell how
many people lived Ia Tennessee, NOT
whether n census Of IL population and rc-
sources had ever been taken.
There u mention OF the debt OF the
State, but IL would require outside inior.
nation to know Just what was the amount
OF such indebtedness
There IL no mention whatever Of the
States revenues. nor from what sources
obtained.
There Is nothing said Of the reproductions
mineral, agricultural, OF manufactured, and
the child, after thoroughly memoriz.ng the
contents Of this History" would know
next 10 nothing oil the states RESOURCES. ol
H. productions, OF iis manufactures aud o
IT, material aud mineral wealth.
lie would know nothing Of the States
literature, beyond the mercst mention that
Haywood, Ramsey aud Putnam wrote
Histories Of Tennessee"
lie would not know that Tennessee had
within her limits an asylum, or pcniicn.
tiary, or university, or a charitable insti,
tuition Of any kind.
10 our mind, IL Is les important Tor a
child 10 know that Mr.. Maynard was bora
Ia Massachusetts, or cN.Goy. Marks lin
saw the light In Kentucky, than Tor il I,
know that Tennessee Is dotted all oycl
with universities, colleges, asylums ior th,
care OF the insane. schools for the blint
and deaf aud dumb, aud Cor the higher
instruction and training OF teachers. Ger
tainly II should know something Of IN,
criminal laws, aud learn what disposition
Is made by the State OF those convicted ol
/ crime.
An In al, as a ''school History Of Ten,
ncscc," Mr.. phelan's book Is lar from
satisfactory.
II fails 10 record facts ,hata child should
know In order 10 ave him an Intelligent
understanding q The Importance OF len,
ncsscc la relation 10 her sister slatcs
either In resources wealth, population OF
I territory.
Il utterly fails 10 explain tho cons,lu