Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-30
TIE SENATOR'S RECENT TRIP.
YANKEE DOODLE DIXIE.
A Virginia Book by Virginia Author
Pnhlished by a Virginia House.

YANKEE DOODLE DIXIE.
A virginia Book by Virginia Author.
Published by a Virginia House.
A correspondent OF the DISPATCH
writes as follows of new book about
to be issued by the Everett Waddy Pub
fishing Company, of this city:
have recently been allowed the priv
lege and enjoyed the pleasure OF looking
| over the advance sheets of work entl-
tied "Yankee Doodle Dixie, written by
MIR. j. V. walls, of Clifton Forge, Va,
and l take pleasure in giving the read
ing public notice Of the trest In store.
The work reflects great credit upon the
name ofthe talented author, and the old
Commonwealth will have good cause to
feel proud OF her gifted son who 80 ably
and eloquently espouses her cause and
defends her against every asperslon OF
"treason and rebellion. The au-
thor is Virginian, and the chief char
acters in his book are Virginians; and,
to use his own words. he asks that al
VirginIan loves Virginia more than he
loves any other land, lay it not to his
life for an offence. nor to his honor for a
stain.
The book is in the nature Of an his
torical romance, and Is altogether OF
thrilling interest. The real characters
of actual life are beautifully and skill
fully blended with the ideal characters
of romance, thereby presenting picture
pleasing to contemplate md full OF sug-
gestions. The opening scene Is laid nc
Hampden-Sidney College, the anna
Diater of the author, to which glowing
tribute is paid and here occasion is
taken Of d debate between representa-
tiyes of the two literary societies to
present those principles upon which the
South is willing to rest her defence be-
fore the world in justification of her &C
ton in the matter of secession. The
daily round of duty, fun, and irolic OF
college-life is so humorously and plea
singly presented il can but make us cry
with a heaving heart, "Oh, that we were
boys again
The efforts of Virginia to preserve the
peace and save the Union are all recited
in the book. and the grand old mother
of 8 ates is presentedin all the exalted
grandeur of her unselfish and unpa-
ralleled heroic forbearance ; she is made
to stand "a royal mother, suppliant
and queen, waving alott the banner of
the stars and bars, while she entwined
among Its folds the olive branch
of peace. "The heroic deeds and
world-famed gallantry Of the men
who followed Lee and fought with
jackson find warm endorsement,
vet not single word Is writ
ten disparaging the Federal sol
der while in the conduct and bearing
of the noble women of the South during
those days "that tried human souls, it
may be said, is found the climax and
chief glory of the book. The battles Of
Manassas, Kernstown, Mcdowell, Port
| Republic, Winchester, and others are
vivid pen pictures and make the heart OF
an old soldier swell again as though
amid the glory of battle. Every old
soldier Of the South should read-every
child of veteran should study-the
facts so pleasingly and concisely stated
in the work and stand ready prepared to
defend the fatherland should occasion
arise.
AS q romance it is particularly in
teresting, for woven into 1t Is love
story true 10 life, that will hold the
readers attention and relieve the mind
from the more serious matters related.
There could not be a more faithful por-
traiture of the old Virginia gentleman
than Dabney Reed and his lifelong
friend, Beverley Moore-both of whom
were strong Union men, but when their
mother State called her sons to her de-
fence CALAMITY responded. Charles
Reed and Helen Moore. son and
daughter of the two Old friends, figure
as the leading characters, and around
them centre all the romance of the book.
These are lovable people and the author
does them full justice in chaste and beau
tiful language.
The villain OF the story, William
Dodge. is q native of Washington city,
and plays a leading and double part--a
Federal spy and q Confederate staff
officer. He is intimate with Cameron,
Secretary of War, and often visits him
in the capital city, and is loaded down
with greenbacks as the reward of his
villainy. But Nemeses at last overtakes
him in the person of Old Uncle Ben, q
typical Virginia darky Of the good old
days, now long past, whose delineation
is one of the most correct and pleasing
things In tie book. His talk, his faith
fitness. his love and devotion to old
Mars and his family is affecting, and
makes charming reading to those who
, recollect the trusted servant before be
was led sstray by designing demagogues
a The raid on the James-R River and
q kanawha canal by Federal cavalry, the
burning and destruction of property il
!. that neighborhood the pursuit and fate
\ OF the raiders, are told in terms tina
Q swell the heart with mingled emotions
8 All the scenes and all the actors. save
o one, are of Virginia, and we repeat tina
a the work will reflect great credit on thu
t talented author, not alone for the abilit,
II aispiayed al writer, but also for tn,
v ingenious manner in which he ha
interviewer history and romance ant
brought 1T all out to happy conclusion
while he has proven himself stauncl
Is and able defender Of his native Stat
% and the whole Southland. Il. G. C.
o The London CleaifnK-EoNse
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