New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SONE NEW ROCKS.

The tbirtythlrd volume Of the dictionary OF
National Biography (MacMillan CO.., comprises inc
names between Leighton and Lluenyn inclusive Inc
reader who takes up the book. not for osu'anon pu'
for a moments curious reading VIII be most apt !"
turn TO such names that OF the rough ana reauy
Journalist sir Roger LEstrange or the very ener'ah
ing article on Popes publisher Linton bnt II must
be remembered that the part OF the ALPHABET ABOVE
indicated contains solid names In literary history IKE
fhos. OF Bishop Ngh,foot. and Lngard the Catholic
historian OF England. Lilly. the asrooser. ngures
at considerable length. and 20 does that qusrresome
John Lilburne OF whom II said In humorous
eptaph that having nobody else to fight he fell OUT
with himself
In "Let Him First Be Man. and Other Essays tLns
a Shepard). Dr. W. II. Venabe has made rather
eccentric book with not little that Is commonplace
but with much OF sensible suggestion Dr. Nenaoie
u first OF all teacher. and these essays belong largely
N the scboolroom His literary preferences are
orthodox. lie likes Plato and Goethe and Carlyle ana
be loves to mcander between quotation marks Win
here thought OF his own. and there some sus-
gesuon borrowed from famous writer so that one
gets In a mild way from his pages an impression not
unlike that made by old auhOrs-say. for instance
Sir Thomas Brownc-less learned perhaps. but equally
dscursive.
"Th4 story OF Cavalry Regiment by William
Forse Scott, late adjutant Of the 4th Iowa veteran
Volunteers e. p Putnsm's Sons). is more than
mere and chronicle. The narrative Is that OF
Observant soldier who saw mucn that WENT on ou'
side the circle OF his own duties. Like mulutude
AZ other books a multitude such few men can
number II will take its place among the WORKS winch
the future historian must read The voiume Is rull OF
anecdotes. Here is an example: 1.-TWO or tlree OF
the Kansas regiments, among them the 9TH, were IN
camp at Helena. some times brigaded with the 4th
Iowa At the same time the Cd Wisconsin Cavalry
was there a fine soldierly, highly respectable COM
mand. One Of the I'd Wisconsin died, and his COM
rades with proper decorum prepared for regular
military funeral Soi:e went out and dug the grave
and returned to camp before the funeral procession
moved. II happened the same day that the 9th Kan
Gas also had on hand the body Of departed patriot
Not beng given TO idle ceremonies they simply carried
IL of to the buryns ground, intending 10 dig the grave
and dispatch business without unnecessary expense
of time. The Wisconsin party had not yet arrived,
and the Kansans found grave ready and waiting for
a tenant. What the use OF digging another
Tho defunct Jayhawker would not care who prepared
bis 'home.' They dropped him in, quickly filed IN
the earth. and went back TO their camp or Their
horseracing Presently came the mournful column
OF the Wisconsins. marching as funeral guard OF
honor with solemn tread and wailing dirge. their
fallen comrade borne at their head. The dsgcr led
them TO the spot where they had left open grave
The rest may. be imagined. But the Cd Wisconsin
had had experience they recognized the genius OF the
9Th Kansas. Only the Jayhawkers' could steal
grave"
"First Days Among the Contrabands' Lee q
ehepard) by Elizabeth Hyde Botume, contains sim
PIE and unaffected narrative Of the authors obser-
vanons and experience as teacher among the
negroes in the later days Of the Civil War; and the
early days OF Reconstruction. 1t Is contribution
10 an important chapter Of National history from
point OF view which not many could take HOW
willing the negro TO learn, and how little he
knew, are things which such narratives will render
vivid to those with whom the events Of the early
Sixties are only matters Of reading tradition The
side of the that presented in the humble
schools for the freed people. She was not carried
away by the misplaced enthusiasm OF those who
seemed to think that emancipation was only an
other name for conversion and enlightenment and that
by the magical efficacy Of a single word serviie
race was lifted from the darkness Of ignorance into
the full light OF civilization.
Aside from the interest of the narrative there arc
passages and there suggestive to one who wishes
to mark the accurately Of race passing out
Of savagery to something better. In very recent
studies md charts of Africa one often comes across
regions described belonging to given chiefain
This Is not merely convenience OF civilized language
It rests the habusl thought Of the natives them
selves Something not unlike this was characteristic
OF the negroes In the United states. The accident
Of belonging to the same master formed almost
tribal bond The clannishness Of the freed people,
writes the author. was indescrbable Those be
longing to family one master 'gangcd TO-
gether, and always ready TO fight for each
except those which associated them with the panta
tons 10 which they had belonged and there Is in the
chapter on the opening Of the school the Old Fort
plantation in South Carolina. curious and amusing
description OF effort extending several days to
get applications for the pupils TO which they would
answer. The names which they gave one day they
forgot the next and the teacher almost In de
spalr Of being able 20 distinguish one OF them
from another. But 10 themselves The process seemed
a perfectly natural one. How consistent high de
gree Of intelligence with this purely tribal
OF thinking is shown in n Characteristic anecdoe OF |
former waiting maid whose master and mistress |
spelled out The words which they did not wish the
girl to understand. She fixed these letters in her
memory. and reported them to her uncle. who could |
read. attracted by this" remarks the author,
"and asked II she could do this now. Try me. |
miss!s: try p,e an sec" she exclaimed. So spelled
a long sentence rapidly possible. without stop |
ping between the words She repeated IL after mo |
without missing letter"