St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-02-08
NEW BOOKS.


those of other prominent characters who
have figured in public life the past gen
Grafton or two. More than three-fourthS
of it relates to the war period, and the
chief interest of it attaches TO that era
of national history The author, how
ever, was conspicuous character long
before the war. He was leader of the
Democratic party of Massachusetts even
befOrefhe organization OF the Republic
can party. Always greatly in the NIL
nOrlty, he shared with it immunity from
responsibility in the immediate direction
of public affairs, but was positive force
His career was largely interviewer with
the life of the nation in the most excit-
ing periods OF its development. There
have been few more unique characters
in the actors of his time, and his book is
reflex of the unfolding life of the ma
ton. He states that he has so far out
lived most of the earlier associates with
him III affairs, and passed beyond the
rivalries and prejudices incident to
career full of thrusts and antagonisms,
that he can narrate his impressions with
great degree of impartiallty. How far
the perusal of the work will verify his
claims will be better learned as the COLI
tents of his books are gradually dlScOv-
to speak of i'll connection with the war
who survive will acquiesce i'll this view,
and those who have passed away will
often have defenders who will take
sharp issue with Gen. Butler. Still, this
fact will not lessen the interest in the
volume. 1t is an entertaining and plct-
ureSque narrative, free from all literary
affectation, and full of "reminiscences
and unpublished details regarding the
participants in the great struggle and
their personal acts. He is the central
figure in the panorama that he pictures,
and has the tact and acumen OF the
great lawyer in the plausible color
ing. There is no lack of bOldnesS and
definiteness in his references to men he
had occasion to dislike. and if they fell
short of what he regarded as their duty
he has a very plain way of giving his
opinion. Among the war actors Gen.
Badly" Smith and Gen. Halleck are
specially scored. Halleck he refers to
as ''lying, treacherOuS, hypoeritical
scoundrel with no moral sense" If he
is right HaIleck allowed his jealousy of
Farragut to prevent the capture of
Vicksburg in 1862, after the taking of
New Orleans. Porter. too, comes in for
bitter passages, and Butler denies him
any of the credit for the capture Of New
Orleans. Even ''Brick" POmeroy, the
newspaper sensationalist of the war
period, is plastered with a very muddy
coating, although Butler affects not to
know whether he is living or not.
Among the most entertaining portions
of the book is that relating to the gen.
erals career in New Orleans. This is
detailed and elaborate, and presents
some phases of it in a rather different
light than 1t has been seen. In fact, there
are no more fascinating chapters in the
volume than the two relating to this ep-
isolde of the war. The hanging of the gam
bier MvmfOrd because he pulled down
the nations flag; the hanging of the
mate Of his own yacht for robbing
houses; the order that all women who
insulted the soldiers should be treated
as women of the town." the dealing
with the French and English consuls,
who were doing all in their power to aid
the COntederateS; the bank controversy
depicted in a graphic manner. In his
dealing with disloyalty he relates this
incident:
Rumors coming from the North that
McCle Han had been captured. the Sc
cesSion spirit in New Orleans was
aroused to action during Buffers tenn
porary absence. lone Andrew, cousin
of my friend, the governor of Massa-
chusetts, a heightened gentleman (?l,
presented himself in the Louisiana club
with breaStpin constructed OF thigh
bone OF Yankee killed OH the Chicka-
hominy, as he said" On his return
Butler summoned Andrew and asked
him whether he had exhibited such
pm.
Eyes, sir, [ was wearing it."
SDid UnI cav that if WAC mazda nf tbn
thigh bone of a Yankee?"
"YeS. but that was not true, gen.
eral"
''Then you added lying to your other
accomplishments in trying to disgrace
the army of your country. | will SEN
tence you to hard labor on Ship Island
for two years, and you will be removed
in execution of this sentence"
He takes great satisfaction in relat-
ing his joke upon the ministers in his
fast day proclamation when governor of
Massachusetts in 1888, adding:
at is needless to mention that the
good clergymen of the commonwealth
have subsequently preached against me.
although earnestly hope they all now
pray for me-"
He admits that his candidacy in 1854
was designed to defeat Cleveland and
elect Blaine. He never lost a battle
during the war. but was thwarted in
accomplishing important successes by
the failure of Others to do their part.
The general hopes to live long enough
to reply to the critics of his book. He is
likely to be kept busy while he does live.
Outside the world of political litera-
ture no book has been awaited with so
much interest of late years as Mrs.
Humphrey Wards new novel, 1.-THE
History of David Grieve." From the
writer of Robert Eismere" something
out of the common run was to be eX-
pected. David Grieve'' will prove
disappointment to the majority of
readers. 1t lacks the direct simplicity
of Robert Eismere," and by the care
and tedious. Lit is said that nobody
really understands and appreciates
"Wilhelm Meister" till the third read
ing. Appreciation of david Grieve"
comes only with careful reading.
and, indeed, the book is one of
the few recent novels that deserve
a second reading. 1t is not keen,
clear-cut picture; it is a complex and
intricate study of the development of
a mans character. The title "History,"
is perhaps little misleading, for Mrs.
Ward has dealt only with the growing
period of her hero's life, morally and
mentally, aud leaves him while he is
yet young man. David Grieve is an
orphan with one sister, and lives on the
WeStmorelandShire farm of his uncle.
He is the son of French dressmaker,
whom his father had met in a London
thcater. The boys life on the farm is
described with minuteneSS which eS-
capes vivlsection only by pervading
sympathy and pathoS. David's educa-
ton is gained for the most part
from books borrowed of de-
mented old schoolmaster. He runs
away to Manchester and finds
employment with bookseller.
Finally, he begins business for himself,
and goes to Paris, where he falls in love
with an ambitious young artist. Elise
Delaunay. Their acquaintance Gull
inmates in free marriage" bond
without the sanction of church or state.
After time her ambition conquers her
fondDess-for it was nothing nlore--for
David, and she deserts him. In his de-
spair he IS taken back to Manchester by
a friend all the little fortune left him