The San Francisco call., 1896-05-31
What American Liberty
Cost Our Colonial
FOrefathers.
The Hills Over Which Paul
Revere GaIloped in
the Moonlight.
Recalling the Revolutionary Battle
fields in Historic New
England.

as OcHetOr OeOTge 4. hOar mas elO-
quently said: "Surely that people is
happy to whom the noblest story in his
tory has come down through father and
mother and by the unbroken traditions of
their own treside." 1t is this story and
these traditions of the New England towns
and hamlets, where the fires of the Ameri-
can Revolution were first kindled, that have
inspired Abram English Brown in writing
the volume Beneath Old Roof-trees." The
book is one OF prospective series, and
treats OF only small portion of the towns
identified with the opening of the Revolu-
ton. 1t is the authors purpose to con-
slider the other towns as they appear in
the widening circle from which came the
ready response to the memorable alarm.
His motive is to arouse in the young a
keener appreciation of the cost of our
National heritage, conducive to higher
standard OF citizenship beneath its star
spangled emblem.
The revival of interest in Napoleon
Bonaparte,' says the author, "inclines
many TO long to visit the scene of his fatal
conflict. But Waterloo, described and
painted by pen ana pencil over and over
again, when viewed in connection with its
results to the world, is not com mparable to
the DdtJle-IleIQ OIL MlOQIeSex.
Good citizenship is patriotism in ac-
ton. 1t is not necessary that one should
face the bullets of the enemy on the field
OF battle in order to evince true patrio t.
ism. He who loves his home, his native
town, and his country, and is ready to make
sacrifice for their honor and welfare,
is the good citizen.
This is seen in the great company of
intelligent people who make pilgrimages
every year to Lexington, Concord,
Bunker Hill and other places of historic
interest. Each recurring anniversary
emphasizes the fact. No true citizen can
cross the green sward of Lexington Com
mon, gaze upon the bronze Minute Man
at Concord or press the turf of BuDker's
height without feeling the blood course
more rapidly in his veinsa as he makes new
resolutions OF better citizenship"
Within easy access of New England's s
metropolis are many existing reminders
OF that most significant uprising, and the
person for whom recital of the oft told
tale" Of the battlefield would prove
tedious may find enough of interest in the
story OF things and places that existed
when the wild crash of musketry broke
the stiffness of the dawn on that
memorable 18th OF April, 1775. The
reminds young people that while he
would not abate one ''jot or title from
the accumulated honor Justly due Lexing-
ton and Concord, he must in justice main
tain that "the only limit to the response
was the primitive means OF spreading the
alarm" The author has availed himself,
through years OF patient labor, of large
amount OF precious tradition obtained
from widows of those who had personal
experience in the army, or from children
who had the story of sacrifice from fathers
who suffered in field, camp or hospital I;
and while widows and children of soldiers
OF the Revolution had become scarce
when Mr.. Brown began his research, he
had often met grandchildren who had re-
ceived indelible impressions of the strug-
gle of the colonists while fondled in the
arms of those who were actors in the
Revolution. Introducing his work in a
general way, the author says:
One hundred and twenty years have passed
since the embattied farmers struck the first
blow for liberty, but many reminders of that
day are yet to be seen. Hills over which Re-
we're galloped on his midnight ride have been
carried into the valleys through which he
made rapid pace; but many hearthstone that
glowed WI tn the embers of patriotism is stlll
the pride of a thrifty owner, who rejoices that
the same roof which protects him sheltered
his grandfather. who at the same door gave q
parting blessing to wife and children as be
hsstened to the scene of conflict. Such homes
possessed and cared for by those who have
there received the SJOry OF PERSONAL e8 perlence
from honored sires, are monuments to which
all would gladly revert These and the many
other reminders of the footprints of the pat
riots have their lessons OF good citizenship for
all.
The volume, which contains $40 pages,
is profusely illustrated and is dedicated
TO 1.-The societies organized 10 perpetuate
the honor of the brave men and women,
through whose sacrifices the American
colonies attained their freedom" 1t is
certainly welcome and valuable contri-
button to our Revolutionary War litera-
ture, in which, it may be observed, more
intense interest is now manifest than has
previously been the case since the Civil
War. Boston: Lee & Shepard, publish.
ers. For sale by Whitaker e. Ray Com
pany; price 81 80.
THE UNCLAssED.