The record-union., 1892-04-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

p. Thayer Company. Boston. Its pom
derous volume, Of ], ,I54 pages. 1t is much
10 be regretted that a book that offers
such superior opportunities for graphic
illustration should be so very poorly
illustrated. With but a few executions
eile engrayings are of a very ordinary
character. AS was to have been expected.
General Buffers book is very personal;
It IS full OF capital rs, but in an autobi-
ography this is .lustiiiable, if done with
nodesty. The illustrations, however, are
2gotistlcal 10 degree that IS offensive.
his much said. we are frank TO admit
that it is an entertaining and vigorous
book. General Butler was such an i'm
5ortant figure in the late war, occupying.
IS he did, the most peculiar Of positions
at New Orleans and Norfolk, and again at
sort Fisher, and, N fact, wherever his
military lot was cast, that anything he
may write Of his doings has a strange and
strong interest. The book begins with
his lineage, traces his early life to man
hood, his political entry and activity, his
military career, his return TO civil life, his
entry into Congress, his administration
IS Governor Of Massachusetts, his sue
cess at the bar, and concludes with an
appendix crowded with letters, extracts
from official reports, etc, IN support of
the charges and deIenses he makes IN The
volume.
To say that the book is entertainingly
General Butler has adopted a simple con-
yerSational style; it is understandable by
child; there is no sort OF evidence that
ne has attempted to embellish his story
with the graces of rhetoric or fine writ
ing. On the contrary, he appears To have
been solcitOus not only to limit his vo-
cabulary, but to choose the simplest pos
sible words TO convey his meaning We
are not sure that this is not defect: he
might well have given something more of
finish to his text, and have relieved its
blUntnesS good 'deai. Still, the method
he has adopted has a peculiar fascination
about 1t. one turns page alter page with
amused and kindling interest to know
what each will reveal in the way of vigor-
Gus blows. For the author had his gloves
of, and be struck blows and drove lances
right and left as he wrote lie does not
hesitate to call this man liar, that one
Chlef, the other rascal, and another a
fraud, no matter what the station of the
assaulted or how mailed with titles and
honors.
In all these cases. with the caution of
the shrewd lawyer, General Butler mar
shaIs proofs admirably, which, as he pre-
sentS them, appear to sustain him wholly
Nor are we to De understood as saying
that they do not. Without taking up the
other side and reading its proofs also. we
could not form conclusive Judgment
IN many cases we know the testimony of
the other SIDE, and confess General But
ler's replies are sufficient. But OH its
face the Generals case. in all instances.
S made out strongly, and for the most
part seems to be impregnable. such is mis-
skill in preparation and management of
cases ior courts or the public forum.
The reader VIII find The Generals s book,
therefore, of lively interest, because ii
deals with matters IN which blows were
given and received; III scenes that notably
liked the eyes Of the nation. ana even the
world, upon them IN the IroublouS times
oil the war; and because it treats OF events
about which contention has never ended
and concerning which volumes have
been written.
The quarrels Of Generals, like those cf
e)octors, are seldom Strengthened out, and
Ihe general public rarely gets at the real
ruth Of sUch issues. Il, however, we ac-
sept General Buffers story and his proofs,
ne has foored all his aSsailants and set
the seal Of death upon the almost count
iess assaults and SANDERS that were
8Gnched against him during and since
be war,
Bat aside from these matters. and con-
assIng admiration Tor he yigor and
siTi3ity oI his pages, we find great deal
3f useful contribution 70 history In Gen-
oral Buffers book, While he does not
seiI rs new things, ne tells us of them IN
new way; he gets out of the technical
groove, and puts the story of his activity
a the war and at the bar and in political
LIE into q form that makes it fascinating,
dough the diction may not meet the ap-
Droyal of fine literary taste.
1t is q book that VIII be read, widely
read, and that VIII make its way into
homes and quarters where more techni-
cal and er2dite volumes would not re-
eeive attention. At the same time. all
other classes of readers viii examine it
because OF the large place It's author has
lled IN public life, and the relation he
bore to some Of the most tragic events.
hottest political contests, and bitterest
strltes recorded in our history. For in
stance, bis story OF the rule OF the army
New Orleans, his contention with the
civic authorities there; his triumph over
be yellow fever; MS famous order as to
Ehe women: his fearIeSsness Of the Con-
teoer2te mob that swarmed about him on
more than enc occasion: OF his seventies;
and the necessity Tor thenl-alI these make
ln the telling thrilling tales, and through
dem all runs . vein Of rich humor, and
about tbem play the hghtnings OF mer-
ciless wit.
General Buffers story, nc claims
proves these things; that 10 him was due
The readiness OF the Massachusetts militia
1t the outbreak of the war; that his
seizure of Annapolis made the rescue Of
ae National Capital possible: that he
saved Washington from assault by occu-
pylng and terrifying the Nights at the
Relay House; that he made baltimore a
Mon city, and saved Maryland from
secession; that ne first made abolition of
slavery possible under martial law. that
having no military technical education is
nota barrier TO the man Of genius upon
whom military duty devolves: that he
kept the waterway open for transporta-
ion Of troops and supplies to the in
tren ehments around Richmond and in
consequence OF which the Army OF the
Il Io
aided IN holding the sounds OF Virginia.
\ orIh Carolina ana South Carolina: that
lie enlisted the first coloTejl troops legally
mustered into the ederal army; that lie
rescued New Orleans from itself from
peStlence and social dangers, disturb
ance and famine: That he raised division
OF troops without payment OF bounties
or impresSment, and with it, and aided by
other troops and by the meet OF Earragut.
opened tie MISSISSIPPI. Subdued Louisi-
alfa and held Ii, and enforced there re-
spect for the flag and the laws: that to
him was due the intrenehed camp oppo-
size tichmOnu ana the plan of campaign
against that capital, and by means OF il
captured Eetersburg. though he lost it
aiterward 10y the laundering OF tech
Hlcaily educated military man: that he
planned and carried out the great STRAIT
eglc work, the Dutch Gap Canal that by
his devices at Fort Fisher be saved from
destruction an army OF soldiery: that in
no one of his military movements did be
ever meet with disaster, or uselesSly sac
rlflce the lie OF man. For all these
claims he submits proofs of record.
Aside from these things treated of, there
IS great deal OF The anecdotaI, a great
deal OF dialogue, and d mine OF huinor
and eanstic wit. The stories Of legal turn,
6he recitation OF activities as Governor. OF
events IN congress, Of contention in po-
htical lie, are ali entertaining and make
most enjoyable reading. The book is an