Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-15

entire career have never had to borrow a dollar. In spite of their success and the fact that from their surplus they have been able to make many profitable invest ments, they have not given up the prac- tice of bestowing their personal super vision upon each department of their en- terprise."
 The following criticism upon a valua- ble book is published with pleasure:
 Among recent important additions to southern literature Is a School History of the United States" by Mrs. Susan Pen dleton Lee of Lexington, Va, which has been published in Richmond.
 Tn the dark days following the fall of the Confederacy the souths loyal men and women set to work to restofe their desolate land as courageously as they had fought and endured for her. Every nerve and energy was necessarily strained to this one object. There was no leisure for literary pursuits. Book making-even text books for school rooms-was left to the more fortunate north, and their children learned of the cause they so nobly defended through the prejudiced. unjust accounts of their op- ponents. So manifest was the need for a school history setting forth the south ern cause from the southern standpoint that the United Confederate Veterans appointed committee, under the chair manship of Gen. Stephen D. Lee of Mis- sissippi, to procure histories Of the south properly, truthfully and impartially written Mrs. Lees history received their recommendation at the last reun- ion at Houston, Tex. Its author is the eldest daughter of Gen. William Nelson Pendleton, whose life she has written. General Pend1eton was Lees chief of ar tillery In the Army of Northern Virginia. where he did valiant service for the south ern cause. In 1859 Miss Pendleton was married to Edwin G. Lee, brigadier gen. eral in the Confederate army, and grand son of Robert E. Lees uncle, Edmund Lee. After his death in 1870 Mrs. Lee returned to her fathers home and began teaching private school. Here her ex- perience of the need of such a work led her to write the history. It is well ana entertainingly written, and yet so sim- pie in language as to be admirably adapted to arouse a child's interest in the historical events of his own country.
 Miss Louise Manly, the author of Southern Literature,' has supplied the questions and summaries for reviews and essays Their clearneSs and comprehen- Siyeness reveal Miss Manly's experience and skill as a teacher. The number of references at the end of each chapter shows the thorough research and estab- lish the authenticity of the facts given by Mrs. Lee Figures and accounts In the civil war have been taken from the of
  crate armies in Washington.
 "A chapter on the American Indians and the classification according to their ha abits and the territory they inhabit into savage barbarians and half-civilized is marked improvement on the usual rather vague division according to lan- guage.
 Tt is history of the people as well as of prominent men and events. A suc- cinct account of the settlement of the first twelve colonies is followed by concise but comprehensive review of the life and times of the early colonists and their distinguishing traits.
 "Virginias history Is given special prominence, and justly so, for as the first permanent English settlement, the largest, most prosperous and most pub lic-spirited of the colonies, and mother of Washington, Jefferson and Madison, the greatest moulders of early American history, she deserves first place.
 "The question of slavery in the United States from its incipiency to it's aboli- ton Is carefully, interesting and truth fully written.
 "The authors warm enthusiasm for beloved cause, though tempered by an honest desire for absolute fairness, gives piquant interest and life to her account of the war between the states. General Evans says of 1t: The story is told with a view to accuracy which criticism cannot touch and with a vivid descrip- ton which must please In this record of soldiers and battlefelds she pays a just tribute to the loyal women of the which arouses a responsive chord in the heart of the south.
 Tt is an admira bly and forcibly writ ten book by a capable, warm hearted southern woman"
 Friendships
 Trba ooacopS cbapoa and so do friend Iris difficult for one to name
 Always the dress of friendships form It's guise today is not the same
 Tomorrow, should there come storm.
 On, upward to the brighter noon, Gives color, zest to friendship, flower
 Till shadows blight, alas! too soon. With cioudless skies the bird of song
 Will lisp of love from day to day, Through all the gladstone summer long,
 Till winter comes. then flies away When Fortune smiles with favors shown
 And plenty crowns with bounteous store. How many are the friendships known
 That finger when she smiles no more! One day with joy thought I'd found
 A spot where smiles were all divine Would never change the whole year round, In winters chill or warm sunshine. But returned one day in storm,
 And eyes once bright wore different
 gleam-
 Unmasked saw pure friendships form
 Was creature of my fancy, dream. Quick from this welcome, cold and chill.
 Where once the fires burned warm and
 bright
 I went my way, and roamed at will
 No sun by day nor star by night. For who can see in skies above
 A sun or star when clouds float OCT, Obscuring friendships rays of love,
 With shadows deepening more and more! Yet after all, through gloom of night,
 Where long l fingered, sick the while, found true friendships-eyes as bright
 As those I'd known with sweeter smile. I've known and known-known through the
 years
 Bright blooms decoy to fly begulle- That cold and selfish art appears
 Behind the veil of friendships smile. But who is there that does not know
 That hearts-true hearts, pulse beat the
 same
 When warmed by fires that burn and glow On altars with pure friendships flannel How bleak and cold the atmosphere
 When icebcrgs in warm seas appear NJ ,I,4 h us, ctp