The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-19

rheir tact, wisdom and unseiish labors
and makes an American feel proud OF
his countrymen who have there taken
M and borne 'the white mans burden
with an ability and fidelity that will
win for them rational gratitude and
fame. Working towards Independence,
the men in authority seem to have car
ried ont with faithful zenl the orders
issued in accordance with the lnterveh-
tion resolutions of Congress-
Mr.. Matthews presents a picture Of
official integrity and efficiency that Is
in marked contrast with the government
Cnha has heretofore known, and that
makes an American proud of his coun-
trymen. If the officers have been as
efficient and discreet during the entire
occupancy as during the period described
nv Mr.. Matthews, the Cubans will find
conditions most favorable TO establish
their Republic at the appointed time
The hook is fully and handsomely illus
trated. giving views of all the provinces
and the leading American officers and
Cuhans as well as of historical places
1t is written in pleasant style that
will make the reader think he IS taxing
a Journey through the gem of the An
titles.
IHE CHRONICLES OF AUNT MIN
ERvA ANN. by Joel Chandler Har-
ris Illustrated by a. h. Frost Pub
fishers: Charles Scribners Sons,
New York. Price, Sl.oo.
This is the best dialect story ever
written by the best dialect writer the
world has known. We have copied fire.
ouent extracts from these stories ~
they came out separately in Scribners
Magazine. and we do not hesitate 10
say that in our opinion this is the best
hook of the year. 1t will interest anc
teach the history of Reconstruction 10
the young. and amuSe and delight old
and young alike.
In the last issue of The Book Buyer,
Mrs. Jefferson Davis reviews this book
and writes of Mr.. Harris 50 appreciatlve-
" that we give her article in full
MIR. HARRIS AND HIS ATMOS-
Pierre.
This book is not merely a collection
of negro aphorisms i'll dialect form, or
of absurd incidents in the scrambling,
aimless life of an illiterare and peculiar
people but a mastery genre-paintlng OF
several classes in the South. In Hamr
is crvstallized the character of thousands
of ignorant village negroes who were.
after the surrender. dressed in ii little
brief authority. inclined to domineer, but
TOO idle and unstable for success. Min
ervy Ann is Il pattern of old fidelity
with which Southern people are thor
oughly familiar. She had the common
sense and habit of keen observation
- i. n !, bns I1Tls.n
scious philosopher. Her fallow mind had
not been sown with the theories or
others. and she applied her naturally
fine perceptions and ready sympathy to
a microscopic analysis Of the characters
of those about her. and her estimate
Of them was generally correct. She
gladly accorded the palm OF superiority
TO those above her. but jealousy re-
served to herself the right to form
lust Judgment when all the evidence
was before her. There are no more
spltiless yerdicts upon character than
those negroes render, yet when their
white folks" have been kind and con-
siderate to them. no more loving and
Astounding charity than theirs was ever
known.
The authors study Of the negroes
poiEs of view is thorough, and the arr
with watch he has presented 1t is con-
summate. 10 those who are to the
.'manner born" this book seems 10 be
not work Of the imagination, but il
simple transcript Of the scenes through
WHOA he has passed. As one born ull-
der the same conditions said: The
book Is not worthy OF such landation;
the author has a good memory and has
told what he saw and remembered.
So did Dean Swift, but his distraught
Maria and his donkey and his starting
have ontliyed Il hundred years, and he
lives now for this generation. Truly
enough there is nothing new under the
sun, but such mastery OF word-painting
Il possessed by very few Genius has
been said to have three primary requi-
sites: IN eye that can see nature, a
heart that can feel nature. and
holiness that dares follow nature" All
these requisites have been added unto
Joel Chandler Harris.
There is certainly nothing in these
stories OF an uncducated negro's life
which is very tragic. They are NOT
even exciting, perhaps, to the jaded
naIates of people fed upon sensational
novels. 1t is the mirror held mp 10
has claimed nm audience for Aunt Mi
nergy Ann, and for the pleasure-loyinc
Marse Tumlin, quick rs a fash to de-
fcnd his dependents or interpose his
person between their assailants, tech,
0,Is'' on the score Of his honor, some
what helpless when the accustomed
means of support was wrenched from
him, self indulgent when the opportunity
offered to crafty his palate, but silent
and accomplishing when want marched
upon him like an armed man. Too
Young ter die and too Of ter win
money in dem kinder tines" testy and
otltspoken when crossed by his interiors,
yet nevertheless indulgent and tender
where he could serve those beneath
him, conceding freely everything he
knew they had no power to enforce,
courageous by instinct and honorable by
heredity, Marse Tumlin is fair exem
pIar of the Southern Shareholder before
necessity sharpened his wits and mar
rowed his sympathies.
To our eyes our mothers softness
crept'' before the picture of Marse Tum-
lin Perdue sheepishly carrying home one