The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-11-13


correspondence betussn William T. anu
John Sherman-havs value In American
historical literature that will enhance
year by year, untib when the great
brothers and the era in the United States
development they played such an i'm
portant part in spure history, the lettsrs
will be among the Invaluable treasures.
They have the most scuts contemporary
interest, as they are Of that familiar nature
which assures entire sincerity aad that
subtle honesty that does not
even tolerate omissions. 1t ia
extremely rare in history to find an oc-
casion like this, where two meM closely
interwoven with the most critical histori-
cal period are 80 related as TO insure
expression of judgment aud feeling that
is neither repressed nor colorsd in the
least. The letters began in 1897 and con-
tinued to the beginning Of 1891, and are
selected from the ccmplsta correspoEdence
OF the brothers Sherman by ths
daughter OF General sherman. The
letters are wisely unburdensd by
commentary text, except such BIZ Of state
ment as is necessary to render th u, intel
ligible. 1t needs not to be said that these
letters are OF the greatest iRtsrSst and
value, first as revelations of the character
of the shermsns and the influences that
surrounded and noldsd their your. man
hood, and chiefly as the exposition of
their views OF national affairs between
1860 and the date " hen the reconstruction
OF the Union can be fairly said to have
been accomplished. This great events
in General Sherman's military career rem
der his letters from the field exceedingly
interesting, though they are so modest
and restrained that they only accentuste
the public estimate OF him, and only
rarely throw new light upon historic do
tails. The Messrs. Scribner have NEST
worthily booked these letters in q dizni-
fed volume, with gilt top and uacut
edges, bound in dark sage buckram,
uuEuornvd, except with fnterTooKsd
wreathed sprays, symbolic OF the close
sympathy the letters show existed be-
tween the brothers. For sale in Previ-
dencc by Preston Il Rounds.
Heigh-Hol My Ladcic, OF" is little
book OF child verse by W. \. Lerd, pub
lished by the Evanston, ILL.,, Entsrpriss,
which is neither very good nor very bad.
Really, while the verses might seem nota-
bic when printed in a suburban news
paper, do not think that thoy will be
regarded as greatly enriching child liter
ature in volume form.
Acquaintance with art is one OF the
avenues through which education pro-
crosses and ethics strengthen. To lead
people to merely observe artistic obiacts
is 60 ensure some degree OF broaden nr OF
some mind. The best that painters have
ever done is now the common property OF
the world, in limited sense, ~ the art
of reproduction has spread copies broad
cast. With sculpture there ls not such a
wide acquaintance, ana Miss A. q. Rad
cliiie's recent work on "Schoels and
Masters OF Sculpture (Applsters)
will help those whose taste hss
already led them TO some knowledge, and
may induce Others TO begin an sequaint-
ance which ought 10 resuiL pleasantly aad
proiitably to all who lssd themselves to
the task with reasonable enthusisSr1.
| Miss Radcliffe declares rsr aim 20 bs "tc
tell the story OF tse progrers Of plastic art
Clearly, wildly, snd accurately, villa en-
/ tire corrsctnesf, so far 80 pessibls but
/ without needless technical i.isH; srd thus
10 rouse an Interest In the aubjsct which
| Will tempt he reader 20 furtb rassgrch
aad lead him % share intcllizestly the
love Tor sculpture Ber sfYakered ia tae
public mind" This IS not a book 10
browse in. The earnestness OF the authors
purpose, and the dirols aud cafnest way
she goes az the object in hand inspirc tho
reader 90 once with something OF her
enthusiasm, which is the enthuslasm OF
! all Hrl lovegH. Here IS q most deliphtful
means to become acquainted with the
whole field OF sculpture. In
one sense, sculpture is more interest
ing than painting 10 the tyro in