The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1890-05-29
A SOUTHERN PLANTER.

great interest book entitled "a
Southern Planter" written by Susar
Dabney Smedes, the widow of Rev
Lyell Smedes, of Raleigh N. c., ane
sister to Virginius Dabney the author
of that charming novel Of southern
life, "Don Milf" 1t is published by
James Pott & Co., Astor Place, N. Y.
and sells for 81. 80.
Its recommendations led US to ex.
pect something good. Joel Chandler
Harris, Editor of the Atlanta Consti'
tuition and author of "Uncle Remus'
and other stories, says that it is "the
most interesting book that has ever been
written about the South" Gladstone.
the grand old man, England's greatest
intellect, has written letter to the
author, a fac-simile of which is printed
in the book, in which he says: "My
interest in the work is not only lively
but profound. 1t is the exhibition of
one Of the very MODEST of human
characters" The book fully realizes
the expectations, and more.
Some admirable work has been done
in late years by Southern writers but
none have pictured the glorious, gen
erous old ante bellum times with their
famous hospitality and their grand
men aud noble women so completely
as has Mrs. Smedes. She has made a
fine picture, drawn from life, which
can be handed down from father to
son in succeeding generations as typi-
cal of the times
Thomas Nelson Page, the young
Richmond lawyer of genius, has pre-
sented brief mirrorings of the old time
people in his best stories, Marse Chan,
Meh Lady and Unc' Edinburg's
Drowndin', and shows something of
the true relation that existed between
master and slave. Richard Malcolm
johnson, the Georgia professor and
litterateur has also drawn some charm
ing life;like sketches and so has Miss
Magruder, of Virginia, Miss Grace
King, Joel Chandler Harris and 9TH
ers, but none have described the old
life in all its completeness of detail
The book is not a novel. It is the
life history of Col. Thomas Dabney,
who moved from Gloucester county,
Virginia, to Mississippi in 1885 and
there lived a life of Usefulness and
honor. He was of fine family, wealthy
and cultured, and had many friends.
When he was ready to move, his fell
low-countymen gave him great din
ner at the county seat and made many
speeches and drank many toasts ex-
pressive of their regret at his depart
ure end Of their good wishes for his
future welfare.
The entire journey was made
through the country, with a large
caravan of negroes, horses and mules.
On arriving on the plantation, which
contained four, thousand acres, they
pitched teuts5until comfortable
dwelling could be erected. This resi-
dence became noted in after years for
its hospitality. AS long as peace and
plenty prevailed it was peopled by
happy guests. When yellow-feper
broke out its owner turned it into
hospital, invited his stricken neigh.
bors to share his comforts and allowed
his own family to nurse the sick.
The lifesas described he is almost
ideal. Every comfort that wealth
could bYg ~ the social pleasures that
a cultured fpmmunity could desire,
freedom ff6ihcare, an easy and pleas
ant relation between master and slave,
and generous and noble hearted in
terchapg IF Ihospitalities made the
life at Burleigh an enviable one.
Then thelciviI war came on. The
planter gave his all to the
Confedeiaey. His sons went to the
army, bis daughters nursed the wound
ed and he who was too infirm to bear
arms spent bis time aud money Law
shly in behalf Of his people. After
- :. 49, !.
The wsr security debts" threatened to
up his home White haired
man as he was. he refused to compro-
mise andfoF fourteen weary years he
oiled to pay the last cent he owed.
He paid-it and spent his remaining
1ears in1esue md honor, though in
traightensh circumstances.
Through all his struggles he was
cheerful. He loved humanity and it
the affection. His former
ervants bvsd him and wept at his
leath His friends never forsook him
nd his children honored him. Such
life was.a blessing and is. It did
Ood in its time and still lives. No
ian can read Of it without being
Tired BY ennobling impulses. It was
Tpical ofthe best Of the Old South
"a il deserves an abiding place in
iA hearts Of the New. The book
iQkt 10 be placed In the hands of this