The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-05
SOME NEW
BOOKS RECEIVED
The Literary History of the American
Revolution.
GEN. FITZHUGH LEES NEW BOOK
On Cuba Will BE Published by 1fessrs.
j. \. Hill and Company in the Fall.
Andre Lebon's Modern France.
Notes and Comments.

THE LITERARY HISTORY OF THE
AMERICAN REVOLUTION. lI62-l7s3.
BY Moses Colt Tyler. Volume 2. @. +.
Putnam's Sons. New York. London.
For Sale by George VI. West
Since his visit 10 Richmond many OF
our citizens feel q particularly warm in
terest I'm the literary work Of Mr.. Tyler,
for the reason that il embOdies an admi-
rable SYNOPSIS Of the contents OF thls
second volume on "The Literary History
of the American Revolution We re-
produce in part, discriminating and
thoughtful critique which originally ap-
reared il the Philadelphia Record, as
follows:
AS the chief aim Of volume 1 was 20
trace the development Of political dis
content IN the Anglo-American colonies
from about the year 1868 until the year
when that discomfort eliminated IL the
resolve for American independence, so
the leading purpose OF this sequent book
Is TO trace the development Of the Revo-
lutioniary struggle under the altered con-
ditions produced by this change IN It's
object and in its character. and to 80 on
with The tale until the year when Amer
ian independence was formally acknoWi-
edged By the British Government As IT,
the previous volume, Professor Tyler mas
striven TO represent adequately the Tory
phase OF the literature Of the period
Three full chapters are devoted TO the
Loyalist writer's In prose and verse.
In mere amount this Loyalist literature
is. OF course, inferior 10 the patriotic
product, for the tory was not permitted
a free hand. But he made up in rap
turous assertion for this limited oppor-
tunity Three peculiarities are oonspic-
nous in the Loyalist attitude. AS 10
the constitutional and political questions
involved IN the controversy, the Loyal
fists had an unCouded conviction that
they themselves were right. In the sec
ond place. belonging as they did, in many
cases. to the ol3sst. weslthiest, most
dienifed families I'm TIE country and &C
customed always 10 take the lead IN the
affairs OF their several colonies, they, OF
course. looked down with contempt ana
disgust upon the whole Revolution az
thoroughly plebelan mOvement-pro-
PEELED from the beginning, as they
thought by upstairs and adventures
obscure attorneys, blacksmiths, shop
keepers and ploughmen, who were thus
presuming 10 fiOut at their betters, ana
to run the world upside down IN the nope
of being themselves at last on top. IN
the third place, the LOyolists fully e4-
pected 10 be on the winning slde. lhey
had the most perfect assurance OF 'ne
ultimate and utter failure or the re0el-
lion; they could not conceive II Was pos
sible. that these colonial rebels Win
their lack OF money, their lack OF mil
tary supplies, their lack OF military tram
ing and experience, could hOla on. Sely
long, even though they should at las'
have foreign help, against the most stu
naval
the modern world. since tney
could not reason down the rebellion they
meant. not only to fight it down, but 10
Iauqh II down, to sneer it down, and 20
make II seem TO all the world as rlul-
oulous as. to themselves, II areauy
seemed sordid and vulgar and weak
Highly interesting indeed. is the por-
ton OF Professor Tylers scholarly "oIh
that treats OF the literary Tories, ana II
gives a vivid glimpse behind the scenes
of that great contest which now survives
only in glowing patriotic colors' III .ls
patriots, this acute critic analyzeS tIc
writings Of Samuel Adams. William NV
ingston, Thomas Paine, Francis hopAIn-
son, Philip Freneau. and tTahNllh' ils
also surveys the ''Satires, Songs, ana
Pailads." the Dramatic Literature, th'
"Prison Literature" THE Pulpit-Cham-
Mons" the Academic Preachers and
Plbllcists" ONnliam Smith, John Nither-
spoon, and Ezra Sules). and the writers
OF History" Of the Revolutionary epocn;
Even the 1.-TWO Apostles Of quietness ana
goodwill, John Woolmau and 81 Jonn
Crevecoeur," are remembered by de-
lightfully appreciative chapter.
II.
CURRENT LITERATURE: June, 1888
current Literature Publishing Com
pany. New York.
For sale By George NJ west.
III
THE BOOKMAN; A Literary Journal
Published monthly by Dodd Mead q
Company. Fifth Avenue and Twenty
First streek New York.