The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-06-24

raphy, and particularly for the colonial
and revolutionary periods of American
history, so rich in wild adventure and
heroic achievement, the attractive pages
of the " Field Book" awakened lively
interest-an interest that was sustained
to the end of the two large volumes.
We had studied history at school, in
the abstract, fragmentary way the text
books presented it; but here was history
in the concrete, made ineligible by
maps, illustrations, plans of forts, bat
ties and marches, and rendered attract
i've by the skillful Interviewing of in
teresting incident, anecdote and remin-
iscence with the graver narrative of
the historian. Lossing's scheme vas
to visit in person every battlefield, every
point of interest in the colonial and
revolutionary wars, in the United States
and Canada, and-himself an artist of
rare skill and fidelity-to make sketches
of historic fields, structures, monuments
and other then existing objects made
memorable by association with the
events of the national history. These,
with fitting descriptions, it was his pur-
pose to present in connection with the
story of the wars and political struggles
that ended in American independence.
Lossing's scheme was an inspiration
stroke of genius, and it was carried
forward to the end with a faithfulness
and completeness that marked the man
of intelligent and mature purpose, inn
PEELED by deep interest in his work
and warmed by patriotic enthusiasm.
Events were not described in their
chronological order. His travels and
his story began on the historic Hudson
He set out from New York in the sum-
mer of 1S4S, and his earlier chapters
tell of the discovery of and the stirring
events along the American Rhine {"
and in the Mohawk valley, on the shores
of Champlain and among the green
hills of Vermont. In view of the ap-
preaching ceremonies at Bennington,
his chapter on the battle that was
the precursor of Burgoyne's surrender
should find many readers in Vermont.
For the illustration of his story, he
delved in the archives of states and
nations and produced fac-similes of the
plans of forts and maps of battlefields,
drawn by the hands of the men-Brit-
ish and American-who were actors in
the strifes of those eventful times.
Portraits of those actors, from the dusky
Indian chieftains to the leaders of the
palefaces in camp and council, adorn
the volumes. AT the time of the his
torian's tour there were living many
people who had clear recollection of
the times of the Revolution, or who had
familiar personal acquaintance with the
men of that period. They were the re-
positories of much interesting but I'M
written history. These people Mr..
Losing sought out, and by his skillful
pencil and ready pen preserved their
lneaments to posterity and rescued
their story from oblivion. This service,
and the preservation of landmarks then
existing, now swept away by the
" march of progress" is of the highest
value to American history. Mr.. Los
sings literary style was simple, graphic,
never dull, never pretentious, always
clear, always interesting. Patriotism,
love of country, high devotion to her
welfare, are always strongly inculcated,
and the CLEAN of bright humor fire.
quently enlivens his pages and redeems
them from the reproach of prosiness.
In our judgment, no history of colonial
and revolutionary times so valuable,
particularly for the younger class of
readers, has been written. An absorb
ing love of historical reading is hardly
fault of the boys and girls of this gem
Grafton, and they cannot be fairly re-
preached for undue familiarity with the
story of their country's early times.
For this, very likely, school-books and
defective methods of instruction are ina
measure responsible. 1t is not our pur-
pose to discuss the causes of what we be-
lieve to be deplorable fact, or to write
review of Mr.. Lossing's remarkable
work, but to commend, in the strongest
possible way, his "Field Book of the Rev.
olution " to every bright American boy
and girl. 1t will-or should-be found
in every well-ordered public library.
Its perusal will make them better men
and women, better citizens, and more
fervent patriots. Mr.. Losing also
wrote pictorial history of the War of
1872 and of the great Civil War, and
produced other books of local historical
interest. His recent death gives rise
to these reflections.
Press Notes.