The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-08
IN THE WORLD OF LETTERS.
Gen. Dabnsy Hsrndon Kaury'S History
o. Virginia and YirSinians.
THE BLuCHER OF THE CONFEDERACY.
Life of Lieut.. Cen. Nathan Bedford for'e"
shortly 20 be wrlttea-who Is the a"'
thor?-In tho q Il Prisons Of Paris
when the Century Was New


Il have been induced" says Goneral
Maury in his brief preface to TINS history
Go vrito this little book in the hope
,hsT n hriof recital of the history of my
native State may awaken IN my young
oountrymen a higher appreciation or the
infelugcncc courage and patriotism or
their forofathors, by imparung more
exact knowledge OF the saCrlhces Whlch
they made and OF the prominent part
they bore in the establishment or clvii
and religious liberty on this continent
and in the upbuildins Of the great Amer
,can Republic. designed 10 transmit te
their postority the priceless heritage won
by their valoT. and also for the purpose OF
countervailing tho false impressions RS de
by so many of the histories which nave
been and are even now. used in our
schools. as TO the motives which inspired
the conduct Of their fathers in the events
leading up TO and eliminating IN the great
struggle OF lS6l-6j.
THAT the Virginians Of 1861 were in
spired by the same patriotic spirit when
animated the Nirginians OF ln6' that they
contendcd for the right Of scli-govern-
ment as taught in the Declaration OF IN
dependonce. and in Withdrawing from the
Union exercised "a right which arose out
OF the very nature and history ol the
Federal Constitution. cannot be denied by
any honest. candid. intelligent student Of
our country's history. While this IS true.
the Virginian Of to-day recognizing that
the Union established by his fathers,
founded upon the consent of the states,
has. by the arbitrament OF battle, feen
converted into an indissoluble Union OF
indestructiblo States. is as loyal to the
New Union and modified Constitution.
TO which he looks as the palladium OF hui
man liberty as his fathers were 10 me ola,
and is as ready 10 shed blood in It's de-
fence have
not found occasion TO tell the history Of
any other State or people save Virginia
and her sons. Her glores are all her
own. She has no shame.
In the preparation Of his work General
Maury acknowledges his Indebtedness to
tho admirable books Of John Esten
Cooke. Miss McGll. Mrs. Susan Pendle-
ton Lee and Mr.. Philip A. Bruce.
Thus much for General Maurys pur-
pose In writing the history. and a pcrusal
OF IL justincs the statement abundanuy
that It il admirably adopted for us In the
public schools. The author begins with
Columbus natural and not unusual
course although even historians do not
always begin at the beginning. Starting
off with the statement of the effect OF
that indomitable gentleman's discoveries
he touches fairly upon John Cabot and
his exploits. and then dcvOtes his concise
and clear attention 10 Elizabeth and her
spacious times with brevity that leaves
the child student no excuse for confusion
or failure to sec clearly.
Tho admirable characteristic Of the book
Gin view OF the purpose for which II was
written is this very brevty-the authors
condensation of the live and salient facts
into small space and simple diction. Down
through the yicissitudes of the Colonial
era ne brings his readers TO the Revolu-
tionarv periOd-always with determination
not 10 be dscursive but 10 give facts and
let them argue. The growth I'm population
and it's character. the condition and en-
ployments Of the pcOple-all receive such
attention as is most important TO the
young student. The War of the Revolu-
ton, with telling comment upon the lead
ing men OF that turbulent and heroic
time consumes five chapters. Three-the
chapters which are from the standpoint
OF the authors intention. the most i'm
portant In the VOlume-are devoted TO re-
cord OF the causes. and results of the
War between the States, and the record
OF the War.
The last chapter devotes itself 10 a re-
sumo Of what has been accomplished by
Virginians. Wen might the great Geor-
gian, Senator HILL declare" says he. mo
country in the world has ever produced
so many men so great as Virginia has,
and then maIshals the stimulating names
before his young public"
In the appedix is "a list Of those who
have filled the Executive Office from 1906
10 1896: the Virginia Bill of Rights; the
Declaration of Independence. and the
Constitution Of the United States
General Maury is entitled 10 congratu-
latiOn. both upon his loyal object in writ
ing his book and the rational and pract!-
cal way In which he has carried il out.