Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-28
Notices of New Books.

LIFE OF LEONli)AS IOIht BlSiioi
AND GENERAL. BY William w. Polk,
NJ. d., LII. ID. Two volumes. L0nginans,
Green. & CO. New York: 1893
This work is a valuable addition to the
literature of the late war, but these vol
tunes are something more. for they I'M
fold the life of a man OF unusual ana
large energies, OF great capacity for ac-
ton, and strong mental yigor-a noble
specimen Of the best types produced by
the old South.
Whether the scene be in 1.-THE church
or the camp" from the beginning to the
tragic end we have read the book with
an increasing interest.
Bishop Folks was one Of those large
lives which make biography the most
charming of all reading. and 1t Will be
especially interesting to that class OF
readers who rightly find. as we THINK.
the most attractive of historical studies
in the history OF the war between the
North and South and the condition or
society in the South previous to it,
These volumes are interesting then'
not only because they give us an account
Of n life, the memory of which Is worm
preserving, but also because we nave
here much of the history Of the western
army OF the Confederacy; OF that army
which fought at Belmont, Shiloh, Perry
vile. Corinth, Murfreesboro'. Chickamau-
IA. Missionary Ridge, through the roar
Of battle Of Johnston's retreat, Atlanta
Franklin, and Nashville. Who can read
the history of its unavailing sacrifices
without deep sympathy?
1t was no army OF European peasantry
drilled 10 a mechanical bravery, but OK
men. whether plain or educated, mostly
of pure Anglo-Saxon blood. full OF all
gifts" II sustained some OF the bloodiest
shocks of battle known since the inven-
ton OF gunpowder and was the peer OF
the Army OF Northern Virginia. The
army often struggled under load OF I'M
fortunate leadership. and with the con-
troyersies growing out OF the command
OF General Bragg this work deals In
an interesting manner. Unfortunate as the
continuation Of General Bragg in COM
mand. at least after the battle Of Muir
freesboro', may be admitted TO have been.
we are not ready to concede the justice
OF the attack on General ID. Ii. Hill for
his conduct at Chickamauga. We here
enter our caveat. and call upon some bet
ter-informed friend Of General HIS TO
defend his memory against the charge
made of neglect or INSTRUMENTATION.
The style and composition of this book
are good and clear. but the even flow OF
the narrative is often broken by the in
sertion OF excerpts from letters and other
documents. many OF which, however, it
may be necessary to preserve in this man.
ner. DIR. Polk, the author. Is the son OF
Bishop Polk. and was himself soldier
and writes as a gentleman and soldier
should. He is partial to the subject Of
his biography. Of course. but this Is a ne
cessary fault Of good biographer.
The time has come when It should be
a reproach TO any educated young man
OF the South to know more OF the his
tory OF the battle Of Salamis. for in
stance, than Of that OF Chickamauga.
Yet We are afraid that this Is often the
case. we nope tutSe NOiuulcs hxFu Ottlcts
like them win have a wide sale.
THE NEW MINISTER. BY Kenneth
Paul. New York: A. s. Barnes & Co.
1893 pp. s42
This work has a. avowed aim, which
Is ITO reflect certain drifts or tendencies
Of church-life. and record the develop
ment OF 4 plastic mind and soul under
the pressure Of ecclesiastical surround
ings which are peculiarly representative
Of the genius OF our democratic form OF
government" From some points Of view
| II is liable to criticism; but allowing the
author his standpoint which he was en-
titled to assume. We recommend his pro-
duction az not only readable. but one
which will make you think. 1t shows the
unsettledness OF the religious sentiment
and beliefs Of Congregationalism In thess
days OF progressive thought" and theo-
logic evolution. The characters are va
rious, strongly contrasted. and well drawn.
That Of Fay Durham u one Of the sweet
est and purest In modern fiction: and the
book u worth reading for her sake clone.
The seat OF the story b the mauufac-
turing town Of Warrington, In New Jcr-
sey. with = mixed population OF about
7e0oe; and We have true picture Of the