Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-17
GOSSIP FROM BOOKLAND.

Scarcely haze a few months passed away since our whole country of studious readers were completely absorbed and thoroughly enthused over the study Of the Napolenonic era and the personal history of the foremost man of action of modern times. The very air seemed to be alive with the spirit of his time, while nearly all literary clubs devoted their best thought and energy to this interest," ing theme-the study of the man of des- tiny-but as is the nature of things, the fad has changed, the humor has passed and the readers have turned, to their credit be it said from the absorbing ana entertaining history of France to the perusal and study of the history of thear own country. No doubt this has been largely brought about by the various pa- triotic organizations, such as the Daugh- ters of the Revolution, Colonial Danes, Sons of the Revolution, etc., whose pur- pose is to foster the patriotic love and remembrance for all those heroes who formed a share of our nations history. Books are now being written on the sub- ject, not only of the formative influences of the times, but biographies of the noted women, the wives and daughters of the leading men,. Such books are of great value in giving us thorough conception of the period. Alice Morse Earle's life of Margaret Winthrop" is the initial volume in a newly projected series en- titled "Women of Colonial and Revolu- tionary Times" Other volumes are on Martha Washington, Dorothy Madison and others, fully depicting the social and domestic life in the Puritan, knickerbock- CT and cavalier sections of the country. Again we find how successfully history may be taught through the medium of fiction and how effectively pictures Of the times may be thus presented, for Charles Carlton Coffin to whom NAmeri- can readers are indebted for several very interesting volumes relating to both the early and the later history of their eoun- try, has adopted the form of romance as a means of giving us picture of the stir ring times in Boston from 1769-1776.
 
 Daughters of the Revolution and Their Times is an historical romance which cannot fail to invite and reward a very wide reading. MT. Coffin tells us E in his preface that he has "endeavored to make the recital of events strictly con formable with historic facts by consult ing, newspapers, documents, almanacs, diaries, genealogical records and family histories" and, indeed no small part of the entertainment and pleasure of the work consists In the authors fidelity and unceasing historical research.
 He further says that 1t was his great privilege when boy to hear the story of the battle of Bunker Hill told by three men who had participated in the fight, Eliakim Walker, who was in the redoubt under Prescott, Nathaniel Atkinson and David Flanders, who were under Stark, by the rail fence, and it was also the au- thors' privilege to walk over Bunker Hill with Richard Buckingham, author of the Siege of Boston," No wonder MT. Coffin gives such a. splendid recountal of the battle of Bunker Hill. It Is one of the very best of the many good things In the book, the pages of description glow with enthusiastic charm and one sniff5 in the very air the gun powder and shot that played such havoc among the red coats that day, but which, alas, gave out all too soon. Nothing but the hand of genius could depict such scenes with so much of real ability.
 It woul be a real pleasure to tramp over Boston and vicinity with this volume in hand, so copious and careful are the many references and notes on old nls7 toric places.
 Closely interwoven in the dramatic and interesting recital of facts is the story of the love affairs of many young people, typical though we recognize them to be, they fully represent the young people of the period The book is fully illustrated, giving photographs of many historic places and eminent people.
 The opening pages introduce the reaoer. to a New Hampshire family, with youthful son, Robert Walden, who is just starting off on his first trip to Bos- ton, his wagon well ladened with cheese, a web of linsey-woolsey, eggs, etc, with which he was to truck and dicker." When all was ready he made the final start from the parental roof with his mothers injunction, Don't forget, ring ing in his ears. I wonder how many such "don'ts" have been said to the countless thoughtless boys.
 There are nearly 400 pages of this goodly book, all teeming with accurate, pleasing accounts of the ''sonS of liberty, or the Holsters" as the British were called, tea parties and coZy social evenings dur ing which we chat with such men as Sam Adams John Hancock, Dr. Warren, John Adams Paul Revere and @ host of others, and pass quickly over the interesting events that succeed the stamp act and the tax on tea, on to the Mohawks and their tea party, the famous ride of Paul Revere and the battle Of Bunker Hill. An entertaining novel, viewed from the standpoint of fiction as work Of history fascinating.
 Elizabeth Stuart Phelps was born in Boston, Mass, and, like her mother be- fore her, has written great many books, the most widely known and read among which are "The Gates Ajar," Beyond the Gates" "The Gates Between," which are published in uniform binding.
 Mrs Wards latest work, just out is -"A Singular Life" It is an interesting story as love tales are apt to be. Some how the depletion of the old, old story between two young hearts will never cease to gain and hold the attention of the reader; but, as in so many of Mrs. Wards stories, there is spiritual qual- ity to the work, and if we consider what is the character and purpose of it we find it hard to decide the question, unless it be to place real, genuine Christianity, the religion of the Christ who gave his life for humanity, in contrast-and a very stern, vivid contrast-to some of the dog matic doctrines of the church.
 This contrast, this picture, is presented very clarly to the reader in the person of the hero, a young minister, Emanuel Bayard" Anyone who reads the book will readily admit that the love, life and religion of Christ was far more beauti- fully exemplified in the hero's life than in the converse picture as presented by MT. Fenton, another young minister. though sound" one, or by MT. Car ruth, a professor in the theological sem mary.
 The scene Is laid in New England Tn