Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-08
A Valuable Work.

The Journal Is in receipt of the biog-
ilton. The country has waited with keen
anticipation, the analysis of the charac-
ter, and review of the life of this eminent
statesman, by a writer who not only yields
q singularly graceful pen, but who, as a
relative of Mr. Blaine, and frequent
member of his family circle enjoyed ex-
ceptional advantages for studying his
character, and understanding the motives
that governed him in his public career
1t is indeed fortunate for the memory of
Mr. Blaine, that he was permitted to have
such a biographer--one who united with
an affectionate regard, a strict sense of JUS
tice and wonderful powers of analysis
In the preparation of this work, Miss
Dodge has had the active and valuable as
sistance of Mrs. Blaine.
We are confident that her life of Mr.
Blaine is destined to take foremost rank
among American biographies. 1t en-
bodies, in greater degree than any other
recent work of this character, the same
clear portraits, the same warm human in
terest of the every day life and personality
of the subject, the same sympathetic in
sight, that has rendered Boswell s life of
raphy, however, is almost destitute of lit
erary form and finish. The biography of
Mr.. Blaine, ON the contrary, Is character
lied by the inimitable vividness, forceful-
ness, and grace of style that has always
been characteristic of Gail Hamilton s
writings. This work, which has occupied
her time for the past two years and half,
will take rank as the crowning achieve
ment of a career distinguished for literary
successes Miss Dodge has the great gift
of absolute facility in the choice of words.
Her vocabulary is not only an extensive
one, but also wonderfully effective one,
She always uses the right word in the
right place, and possesses the power, that
comparatively few writers have, of using
words, not merely in their primary sig
nificance but in their nicer and more deli
cate shades of meaning. 1t Is this that
constitutes the essence Of true literary art,
and gives the ability to paint word pic
lures of such strength and beauty as will
indelibly impress themselves upon the
memory.
There is an entire sympathy of insight,
directness and clearness OF statement,
that gives to this biography life and In.
terest to be found in few works of this
character. 1t is more than a collection OF
facts. 1t has the intense interest OF
realism. 1t reveals not only Mr.. Blaine
the statesman, the popular idol. the wise
and far-seeing political leader; but Mr..
Blaine. the affectionate husband, the ten
der and sympathetic father. the loyal
friend, the generous neighbor and public
spirited citizen. And eminent as was his
public career; enduring as was the i'm
press of his mastery personality upon his
country's history, it is, after all in these
closer and tenderer relations that be ap
pears to greatest advantage.
The biography of Miss Dodge makes
volume of 72o pages. The first seven chap
| tiers are devoted to the early history of Mr.
Blaine's family, to his boyhood days, hi
early education, his career as teacher
and his life in the Old Pine Tree State
before he went to represent it in the Ma
tional Congress. The facts concernin,
this period of his life are familiar to Main
people, and yet. as presented by Mis-
Dodge, they assume newer and freshe
interest and we get clearer conception
OF their bearing upon his subsequen
J career.
The remaining eleven chapters-witl