The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-11
THE CRITICS CORNER.
WEEkIr CHAT REGfEDFNG WETT-
ERS and BOOhs.
Thomas Nelson Page The Sou hern Maya
rins for Mar ch-Ii;srary. Art. and
Musical Notes.
Some Trifiing Errafa.

columns Of the Religious Herald" recalls
the discussion of a year ago. when the
columns OF The Times" resounded with
the din of>protest. Though the bearer OF
a historic Virginia name OF late Mr..
Pages work seems to have disagreed with
his fenow-countrymen-p because
they took him for what he is not. In
truth. Mr.. Page is not a historian. nor
even an exact annalis,. bat a pleasant
writer of fiction. somewhat careless Of
fact. who has caught at times with rare
fidelity. the atmosphere of vanished
past. His literary interests lying in the
north, !; Is natural that he should shade
his pictures toward the side Of northern
taste. Let us take him as ne Isl
Turning to the -hssty and unfortunate
sketch-"in Virginia Long ACO"-if ira
dition be true. then is Mr. Page true to
the life OF his caste. Democracy had not
then reached the upper classes in that
locality, however much we may regret
IL If the picture does not please everyone
that is mere matter OF taste There
are charming touches OF local color here
when he declares that each horsernan
At Fork church" pre-emptied certain
Dough, and that it was a breach of man
ners to tie within Kicking distance" OF
that spot. Nor was IL necessary for ar
tstic effect to turn the other side.
AS set forth by the same tradition. how
provincial. how narrow. were the lives OF
these same gentry of the upper neigh
borhood' eighty years ago,
Frequent intermarriages. seclusion, and
q serene confidence in their heaven-born.
ail-sufilcing station, had played havoc
with the pristine graces and ambitions
OF a well enough lowered English stock.
II their houses were plain" as set forth
by Mr.. PAGE. they OF the long ago were
Tor the most part still palmer ira manner.
appearance. and taste. They never doubt
cd that the sun rose ana set for them:
Yet the arrogance, although duh. was
kindly They bore the stamp of sterling
virtues. to atone for aristocracy,
n God-fearing race, truthful to blunt
ness. honest without question hospitable
fy Instinct church OF England to the
core-Set In some families there was a
Nethodistical fervor Of piety. Altogether n
curious record of local Virginia aristoc-
xacy.
According to biography the lovely
puakeress. Dolly Todd -(Mrs Madlson)-
vas born In North Carolina. of Virginia
oarentage-certainiy not at Scotch Town
Hanover-the home OF Patrick Henry
Air. Page seems equally ignorant of the
history and mystery of that old colon
aai manor house-not the only romance
mat has escaped him in that seemingly
commonplace neighborhood. The crumb-
Ang outlines OF castle burnt before
completion. were visible a few years ago
Nh rising ground near the present old
SaAnsion- Inc f.nshsh colonel who built
Doth, the man he killed for some farci-
cal anront to- a beautiful daughter-fiit
through the vistas of tradition like veri
table old-worid spectres There ara
blood stains-so accounted-etm on the
uoors-there Is a little cell ALWAYS Gales
SShe dungeon" Old negroes SIM ,ha
ghosts OK this tragedy and on windy
nights heard wild cries from the dun
geon- Did the Colonel really cut down
his man? Did he then take poison rath.r
than meet his fate at plebian banas !,
Did the fair daughter return to England =
Who can teli?-But the massive man.
eaon-house still stands intact lying. like
stranded. weather-beaten hull on m.
undulating. wasted sea of fields once =
wide and fertile -
IL Is to be feared that Mr.. Mccarthy,
Aacts. also. are not too we'll considered
although, perhaps too tritiing 10 he 70
viewed IT Is hardly to be expected tina
ne should. in the heat OF dire indicnation
nave stopped 60 inform himself ON old
virginia family history yet II is remark
-, III .ne race or recent and reada
Ole biography by his distinguished grand
son. that he should not have known no,
TO class Patrick Henry-a man OF >,
ceilent Scotch lineage. allied TO I.or
oroushan' MS rather a classical scho
ar, his uncle an English rector his mo,t
er or good colonial family-in no sens,
by descent, a poor white" The Jacl
sons. from a distant part of the stat
nave no advantage OF local history
eastern Virginia Scotch covenanter
pure and simple. proud. fearless. ste,
ana able as a race. they can hardly
cassed-certainly not among half strai
ers without making any pretension
aristocratic lineage or caring for su,
oSuncuon. Stonewan Jackson's ance
lots We're leaders among their people 3
kore ne came. Such blood is not made
usy. iney were from the first, soldie.
politicians, 5urists. They fought On n
french and Indian and Reyolutiona,
war Colonel George jackson. uncle