Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-14

Hamilton Norwich Conn: The Henry Eill
Publishing Company. Washington: r. A. Dins-
more,
Never did biographer have a more diff
cult task than that which makes modest
display of completion in this unassuming
volume. For more than thirty years James
G. Blaine was conspicuous among the ma
tons great, and his activities had many
directions, but the mosaic of unquestiona-
bly, accurate narrative has been Skillfully
assembled and presents to all who love that
which is best in Americanism pleasing
portrait of an American whose name will
thrill mems hearts for generations to
come, just as his utterances have been the
Inspiration of millions. The biographer's
difficulty was not in giving to the world
sketch OF Mr.. Blaine's life-for with all the
necessary material al hand that was easy
it was rather in the selection of reasona-
BILE and profitably punishable quantity of
matter from vastly capacious store house
filled to overlooking by the mental and
physical energy of one who. had he cared
served his country, would probably be alive
today and numbered among the commercial
monarchs of the century. The reader who
expects to find In this book anything like
dispassionate discussion of the public life
or Blaine will be disappointed; every page
teStifieS to the fact that its production was
a labor Of love. Therefore is it that the
historian who fifty years hence will find it
Iecessary to know the great statesman as
he appeared to those whose lives were
bound up in his. will be grateful to Gail
Hamilton for what she has done, and will
respect the affection which fearlessly and
consistently champions her hero's causes
throughout the whole of his career.
Interesting to students of heredity will be
the opening chapters. in which Mr.. Blaines
ancestry Is plainly set forth. principally in
connection with colonial history. People
long since departed. places modernzed by
civilization and events over which the
years have thrown their glamor, are de-
Hghtfully described in the Introductory
pages, which lead up to the fact that to
Ephrairn and Maria Blaine on January 81.
1870. at Brownsville. Pa, from all the
sturdy strength, the inconquerable will the
joyous vigor, the civic virtues. the patriotic
passion, the home Sanctities of all the Gal
Eraiths and Blaines and Armstrong; and
Lyons and GillespieS, boy was born
James Gillespie Blaine The growth and
education of that boy are dealt with in
fashion which suggests that Mr.. Blaine
mad more than perfunctOry interest in
this story of his early days; throughout it
is testimony to the happiness of that
period of Blaine's existence which preceded
entry into the political arena. Only es-
Gaping government clerkship through the
dlsSuasion of Secretary Ewing (who was
relative) Blaine went out into the work.
aday world as teacher of languages and
mathematics but with ever-evident inter-
est in national government Seven years of
ttat life added to his mental breadth and
depth. and then came migration to Maine
and rapid movement toward that suprem-
ecy which even in the bitterest hours of
defeat was undisputed, and which is insist
ed upon to the end of the volume. Critics
OF the purely literary sort may object to
the frequent and in places lengthy quota
tons from the proceedings of Congress and
the many letters written by Mr. Blaine and
others, but there is good reason for their
appearance; without them much that is
generally eulogistic would by many persons
be deemed almost fulsome; with them
there can be no mistake as to the character
of him who since Lincoln has been general
ly regarded as the ideal American. Those
whose Indulgence in anti-Blaine campaign
literature shaped their ideas as to the
character of 1.-The plumed knight owe it to
themselves to read the record spread in
this biography. The honorless condition of
admitted but Pennsylvania and Maine
have never wearied of singing the praises
or the son to whom both laid claim: their
alteration is recorded. Particularly should
the young men read this book. The COM
t1ned clergy of Augusta, Me, said of their
tCwnsman: I'VE have known him in every
relation of life, closely and intimately. and
in every relation of life, we say in the
presence of his daily associates, Mr. Blaine
has had spotless career. In per-
sonal morals, in habits of temperance and
uprightness, in steadfast devotion to all
ordinary as well as extraordinary duties,
Mr.. Blaine has been pattern to our young
men. His word is good as his bond.
This whole community will attest his abso-
lutte integrity and liberality. The necessi-
ties of political campaign may tempt
mud throwers to assail Mr.. Blaine's char
acter; but against all such efforts we pre-
sent man who has the universal respect,
confidence and attachment of the neighbors
who have known him throughout his whole
career, and who know that he has been the
center OF good and not of evil all the days
of his lie" 1t is the history of such a
haS or
Washingtonians generally should read
the biography for Mr.. Blaine thought
much of Washington. On that score the
authoress says: Every day, often two or
three times day. he delighted Gin the
winter of 1SS2'S3) to stroll over the hills
of kalorama, and in the sunny winter
weather, relieved from heavy responsible
ty, full of the joy of life and love and con-
genial work. his rich imagination, stimu-
lated by contemplation of the past looked
into the future as far as human eye could
see and made the capital city, already
beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole
earth With a free hand he would stretch
Its parks among the woods, its avenues
along the river, rear its architectural
glories. and garner its Intellectual wealth.
The old idea Of founding a great university
in Washington had been one of his dreams
of the presidency. When the new library
building was decided on, he watched it as
one stone was laid upon another, closely
as he had watched the going up of his
own house, and found nothing too beauti-
full or too costly for the adornment of the
city,. which represents the loyalty of the
people to the government of the people, by
the people. for the people,
TWO YEARS ON THE ALABAMA. BY Arthur
Sinclair, Lieutenant, C. S. n. With Over Thirty
Illustrations. Boston: Lee 4 Shepard.
Lieut.. Sinclair's work supplements that
of Commander Semmes, whose history Of
the Alabama cruise was strictly confined
to the limits of legal and professional state
n:ent. In Two Years on the Alabama"
the reader finds a detailed story Of life on
that vessel from the pen of one swho had
intimate acquaintance with both ward
room and forecastle There is good deal
of new matter about the personnel of the
Aiabama's crew, and the author throws a
good deal of direct interest into his diary
like account of the thrilling scenes through
which this celebrated cruiser passed. Lieut.
Sinclar's description of the fight with the
kcarsarse off Cherbourg is comparatively
brief, and he shows gallant disposition to
do justice to his enemies who caused the
destruction of his vessel He Is particular
to excuse Commander WinsloW from any
charge Of lack o. gallantry in firing upon