The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-17
SOME Il hooks.
mi, Literature In tire aevolutisp.

LotRIlst Literature In tire Revelation.
We directed attention not long ago to the 6rst
volume OF The Literary History Of the -dmerf.
can Repoiption, by MOSES Corr TYLER Put.
.ams). which dealt with tho period bctwoccn
1893 and 1870. Tho second and concluding vol.
unie, which is now before us, begins nominally
in 1870 and ends in 1888. We say nominally, DO.
cause all tho materials do not adjust themselves
= 20 tho scheme of historic bisection; consequently,
IN the treatment of n few topics. Prof. Tyler has
keen Obliged to give himself larger room and
frecr movement tnan would DO possible under
a rigorous conformity TO the time limits imposed
by his general plan. Such is tho case. for exam
pie with the chapters devoted, for the most part,
TO Samuel Adams and John Dickinson, and the
same thing is true OF tho pages allotted to
Thomas Hutchinson, perhaps tho most eminent
of the Ioyalists, who left the colonies
definitely in Z"9d, but did not cense to sup.
port tho cause Of the Crown until his death. In
this notice We shall pass over tho contributions
made to revolutionary literature by representa-.
tives OF tho patriot side. because those arc com.
parativcly familiar. What has the interest Of
novelty is the exposition of tho part played in
the warfare against American independence by
Loyalist writer's in prose aud verse.
IN connection with this subject two prelimi-
nary facSa arc psintod out by the author OF this
worK, namely, the mnrkcu lntcriority Ol iOyhl-
Sat literature, as regards nero quantity. in COM
parison with tho literature produced BY the Rev
olutionists during the period with which this
second volume has to do; and. secondly, tho les.
sencd confidence of tho Loyalist writer's in seri.
GUS, argumcntativo discussion. together with
the corresponding disposition to employ mainly
emotional appeals. That tho writings of
LoSalists from 1776 to 1888 should have
been fewer than those Of the opposite party will
- T. d. u a ~ A.
Loyaltsts had been driven out Of the country or
into the enemy's lines. and that nota newspaper
or printing press was loft at their service. ex-
ccpt, of course. in the city OF New York and such
other towns as might chance temporarily to DO
occupied by British troops. As regards vivacity.
or in respect of usefulness for the Interpretation
of history. Prof. Tylcr does not find tho litera-
turo of the Loyalists in any respect a losor by
reason OF its increasing disuse Of serious
debate. Its emotional quality proves that. on
both sides, men took part in the struggle
not merely with their hands and brains, but
with their hearts, waging the war in the sphere
OF sentiment and passion as we'll as in that
of reason and physical force. Not to be lost
sight OF either are certain peculiarities In
the attitude OF the Loyali.ts toward the
Revolution. after 1t had fairly begun, and
especially toward their own countrymen
who were pushing 1t on. In the first place.
they had an uncloudcd conviction TINT they
themselves were right. In the second place,
belonging, as they did in many cases, to the
oldest, richest, and most respected families in
the country. they looked down with contempt
and disgust upon the Revolution as q thoroughly
plebeian movement. In tho third place. they
fully expected to be on the winning side. These
peculiarities in the attitude OF Loyalists pro-
duced such q condition Of mind rs made it
natural for them TO apply to tho rebellion, and,
especially to the rebels. whatever words they
could from tho vocabulary of de-
rision and hate. As soon as they discovered
that they could not reason down the rebellion,
they determined not only to fight 1t down. but
to laugh and sneer it down.
Before, however. we examine tho satirical
writings OF the Loyalists. let us glance at the
carcc: of their most serious historian, Thomas
Hutchinson OF Massachusetts. There seems now
to be a consensus among students of our colonial
period that in Hutchinson's History OF Mas
sachusetts Bay we have the ablest historical
competition produced in America previously to
the nineteenth century. The writing Of this his
tory, however. was but the recreation OF n
laborious man OF affairs. who, as politician,
legislator. and magistrate. was. from manhood
to old age. in the thick Of nearly all important
business pertaining to the interests of his coun-
try; who. up to 1868, was incomparably the most
popular and influential public man in New
England; and who. from the year OF the Stamp
act until that OF his own death in London. If
teen years aftcrward, was the most powerful
american statesman IN inc rahksot inc Loyalist
party.
lnowas hutchinson was porn IN Boston IN
I'LL ana graduated from liarVard college
sixteen years aiter"hru' EnterihS the count
ing mouse OF MS ia'ncr. VINO was " prosper
GUS merchant nc quickly c'ihceo a high ca
pacity ior ooth eoihhierciai anu poitical ousi'
ness AT INC age oi 70 nc was CHOSEN d select
man TOT the town Oh boston. ana a month OF TWO
i"ler ~ oi us representative III 'he co'o"i"i
LEGISLATURE. FROM 'i'is Tine iorth uhtil the age
Oh oo nc rcinaihou continuously II 'he puoiic
service e"ner "S oeiec'"ah, member OF inc
Ilouso VI hoprcSeh'"ti'cS Hpe@Aer Vi tho1
House. member OF she Council, Commissioners to