Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-06-04
,S~vs,,a !, literary merit and Is not Of easy
access to the average reader.
Address Query Editor. Dispatch ONCE.
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~ 1--we do not read unsigned letters.


VIRGINIA, 1S06-1S76. BY his grandson
the late Barton II. Wise. The Mac
milan Company. New York and Lon
don. ~
The author OF this book was a son Of
the Rev. Henry A. Wise. His mother:
maiden name was Clara Barton Haxall
A pathetic interest attaches TO the work
by reason OF the fact that the author cid
not live to see it issued from the press
He died here in Richmond. February 6
1899. at the early age Of g. A preface
to the book from the pen OF Mr.. John
s. Wise pays hearty tribute to the worth
Of the deceased.
1t Is stated In the preface that "the book
reveals the intense interest OF the writer,
and a pardonabIe pride and loyalty to Its
subject; but that It is singulary free
from fulsome praise, and displays DIS
elimination, breadth of view and general
reading beyond the average author or to-
day." We concur in that view. AS the
grandson or the subject, 1t could hardy
be expected of the author that he would
make a sharply critical analysis Of his
character and public life, but his WORK
shows conscientious effort to present the
facts candidly and fully.
The opening chapters are devoted to
the history of the Wise family. which,
coming from England, first settled on the
Eastern Shore OF Virginia. Next we hear
of Henry A. Wise's education; his mar
riage to Miss Jennings and removal to
Nashville his return to Virginia; his elec-
ton to Congress. and his conflicts in de-
bate in the House of Representatives with
the Abolitionists. The Graves-Cilley
duel, the Harrison and Tyler campaign
Wise's memorable overthrow Of, Know
Nothingism in Virginia, and his views on
the subject Of oyster taxation and State
insurance fill other chapters full OF
great personal interest and OF much Vaiue
from a historical standpoint. linen we
have an account Of the John Brown inya-
sion and Governor Wise's part IN the
execution of that criminal.
The six following chapters treat or the
breaking out of the civil war; of the or
ganization OF "the Wise Legion; of their
campaign in West Virginia and at Roa-
noke Island; OF the part that Wise's
Brigade Gas it was afterwards called
took in the defence of Richmond; of its
service In South Carolina; of its return
lust in time to help defend Petersburg,
&c, &c.
In concluding his work. the author
gives us a very accurate and agreeable
description Of General Wise's life in Rich
mond after the war.
We find the book interesting through
Ill
one who loves to read the history OF
Virginia. Governor Wise's lie, COM
nassed in the years from 1896 to 1876, was
full of stirring events. He was one OF
the most prominent and picturesque
figures of his time, and about him there
centres an interest which never fails 10
arrest the attention OF our people
The book contains an excellent steel
plate portrait of Governor wise, IS well
hound and Is printed on excellent paper,
making - royal octave pages. Inc
price OF Il is So, and We presume II may
be had OIL any Richmond BOOKSELLER
HEART OF MAN. BY George Edward |
Woodberry. New York and London
The Macmillan Company. 1899. Cloth. PIP
800. Price. Sl.5O.
This highly pleasing and instructive
work has escaped our attention longer
than was intended. The running tue
Heart Of Man" was derived from the
title-page motto, borrowed from Words
worth. Deep in the general heart OF
men" Under II the author treats us 10
four articles. largely in the form Of dis
Taormina, a New De-
fence of Poetry, Democracy, and a Ride.
The beginning and the ending Oh the
work are as different in space as they
are by contrast. Taormina is a very an
Gent city now in ruins, on the Island OF
Sicily. 1t experienced many eNtraordihaly
and its history apouhus WIN
sieges. defences, captures slaughtels'
starvation. devastation, and sunerlnS,
horrible and curdling. 1t Is IN sisht Oh
1It Aetna. which causes the writer 10
exclaim: SUN it all, pang by pang, all
that Etna ever wrought OF woe 10 the
sons ot men. the agOnies of her burn
,nes the terrors of her living entomb-
ments. all her manifold deaths at once,
and what were IL in comparison with the
blood that has flowed on this hillside.
the slaughter, the murder, the Infinite
main here suffered at the hands Of men?
q Etna. it is not thou that man should
fear. He should fear his brotherman."
A most lamentable truth, even at the
present day.
1.-THE Ride" Is with a very dear friend
on the border OF our far West behind two
Texas ponies, never before
hitched The evidences of abiding friend
ship are charming enough; but the tenor
Of their conversation is rather strained
and top-loftical for such an occasion.
1.-THE New Defence of Poetry" is much
the longest of the four papers, and is
forcbly presented In TaOrmina the au-
thor gives some striking thoughts upon
the benefit of travel in causing a higher
appreciation Of the poets, both heroic and
dyllic.
The text Of the dissertation on DE
mocracy" Is as follows: THAT men are
born equal is still a doctrine openly de-
rided: that they are born free is not
accepted without much multiplying limita-
ton: that they are born in brotherhood
Is less readily denied. These three, the
words liberty, equality
fraternity. are the substance Of Democra-
,y. IL the matter be well considered, and
all else is but consequence" Then comes
The elaboration of the subject
In his illusions, references, and quota
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