The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-07-15
The Vermont Centennial history.

The Vermont Centennial History.
This volume, which is nearly ready,
has been delayed because of an attempt
to get an acceptable picture of the Bat
tie Monument as frontispiece. Other
wise the book would have been issued
about June 1st. There has been great
demand for the book, and nearly one
half of the entire edition of 1000 copies
has been subscribed for pending its
issue. The details for the sale of
the work have not yet been de-
cided upon, but will be given to the
public shortly. OF course many people
will want this work, both in and out of
Vermont, and the probability is that the
first edition will be rapidly sold when it
shall be placed on the market. The
reason why this history was proposed is
well-known to our readers. To quote
the authors preface:
Between the celebrations of August
10th, 1891, and the date of this meeting
there had arisen great demand for
such work. Prominent gentlemen had
repeatedly written to Governor Page;
and, also, to others of the Official Com
mittee, asking that a brochure of the
Centennial and Monument Dedication
be prepared Immediately, and published.
press of New England and New York,
joined In the suggestion. The st. AL
bans Messenger probably stated this de-
mand in crystalized form when it said
1.-THE events at Bennington have fur
nished to the newspapers of the country
abundant material to fill their columns
with, topics for reviews of a century or
more, and comparisons; which oppor-
tunities have been utilized. These things
brought together, constitute the alpha
and OMEGA of Vermont, so far as the
present is concerned; starting out from
Bennington and focusing again at the
same point. The history of Bennington
is more largely the history of the State
then that of any other single town. 1t
was the first town organized, and the in
dependent and courageous spirit there
developed, gave direction to the Com
monwealth. The full story, when once
entered upon, is task for books and
books, far beyond the capacity of any
newspaper published, and especially is
beyond the limits of any State paper.
Some papers have gone into detail more
than others, yet, in the comparison, the
most elaborate publications have been
brief"
The space given to the event, by the
newspapers, had made it widely known.
The number and prominence of the peo-
pie engaged as hosts and guests,
the action taken by Legislative bodies,
all tended TO confirm the popular idea
that this celebration was second to none
that had proceeded it; if, indeed, it was
not the Growing feature of the century
in New England
The "Plan of the work" as shown by
the liable of Contents" divides the
volume into four parts, viz: (a) An His
toric Introduction, wherein is set forth
in narrative form, mainly, the principal
events leading up to the dual Celebra-
ton of August, 1891, with the docu-
mentary history most readily suggest
ed; the whole comprising an explana-
ton of the events commemorated. (b)
Part 1. is the body of the work, and may
be called the History" itself. Cc) Part
IL. is the story, in eGtenSo, and includes
the details; separated from Part 1. so
that the reader will not be obliged to
read mass of incidental matters in
connection with the account of the cere-
monies. (d) The Appendix, which takes
up the subjects auxiliary, and concludes
the whole.
The work is illustrated by 90 full page
engravings-steel and mezzo-tint-
grouped as hlSIOrlC ouOJecCS, gov
eminent Representatives" Orator and
postprandial speakers, the officers and
directors of the Battle Monument Asso-
citation, etc The State of New Hamp-
shire contributes part of the illustra-
tons, including the only authentic por-
trait of Gen. Stark, by Tenney, from a
sketch made by Miss Hannah Crownin-
shield of Salem, Mass, in 1910. Others
have labored to beautify and enrich the
volume, so that its scope embraces a
much greater range of subjects than was
at first intended.
This book is printed upon heavy, tint
ed paper, super-royal, octave in size,
wide margins, and win be bound un-
trimmed in paper, so that it can be re-
bound to correspond with other histor-
ical works in public and private libra
ries.