Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-09

|
THE TIERNAN FAMILY N MARY
| LAND as Illustrated by Extracts from
Works in the Public Libraries and Orisi-
nal Letters and Memoranda in the Po-
session Of Charles Bernard Tiernan. W.
j. Gallery q Co, west Mulberry street.
Baltimore. 1899. Portraits and Fac
Smiles and Views. $40. Cloth. 81.
This work, historical, genealogical, and
reminiscential is due to a reverence
which is to be commended. The in
genlous impulse is patent and convinc-
ing.
It's compiler, or author, is a men,
Der of the bar Of Baltimore, unmarried.
of aesthetic tastes, who has spent much
Of his time in travel in this country and
elsewhere, and who has enjoyed the
friendship Of many whom the world has
held distinguished.
The first of the Herman family in Mary
land was Luke Herman, Of the historic
family of County Meath, Ireland, who
settled in Baltimore as a merchant in
1880. He was very successful in his ven
lures and was progressive, prominent,
and phianthropic citizen, and filled with
honor many positions of responsibility
and influence.
lie and his son, Charles (who became
associated with him in business), lived
generously and dispensed an elegant hos
pitalty. In their homes were entertained
host Of the choicest spirits Of America
and Europe
The marriages of the daughters Of Luke
Herman added TO the social prestige of
the family, which included in its init
macies those held In the highest regard
in Maryland and Virginia. Rebecca, Il
sngularly accomplished woman, became
the wife of Henry Vernon Somerville, a
man of high worth and ability and
scion of the baronial family Of Scotland,
which is represented in Virginia and
North Carolina as well. Anne Tiernan
married Robert Coleman Brien their son,
Luke Herman Brien, was colonel in Con-
federate States army; Catharine, Cap
tain Frederick Chatard, of the United
States and Confederate States navies.
His son, Charles Tiernan, married three
times-frst, Helen. daughter Of Judge
Richard Z. McGruder. and granddaughter
of General John Stricken; second. Miss
Gay Robertson Bernard, Of Gay Mont,
Caroline county, Va, and third, Miss
Mary Spear Nicholas, the last two OF
distinguished Virginia families.
Whilst the book is entirely free from
affectation and is simply presented, it is
student OF American progress, social and
material, and appeals warmly 10 those
Of the adjoining and socially interlaced
States OF Maryland, Virginia, and North
Carolina.
It's pages TEEN with details OF the deep
est interest and are luminous with social
pictures OF the past. There are important
data as to the Ternan, Owen, Robertson,
Bernard, Shields. somerYile. Van Swer-
ingon. and other families, and there are
numerous hitherto unpublished letters
from prominent persons in social. civil,
religious. military, and commercial life,
some with charming accounts Of the So
ciety OF our Richmond Of some sixty
wear, ago, from Mrs Maria Mayo Scott
wife of General Winfield Scott, and
others.
There IS a statement Of interest as to
the calamitous burning Of the Richmond
Theatre, December 26, 1911, which is novel
to US of this locality. It will be remem-
bcrcd that tho unyarying account IN print
is that Lieutenant James Gibbon perished
in his heroic attempt to rescue his be-
trothed, the beautiful Miss Conyers, and
that their remains were found in inter-
locked embrace.
But II is proved now that the unfortu-
nate lady was the afiianceG of William c.
Somerville, before mentioned. and that
the lovers were tenderly attached TO each
other. Thus another romance is made TO
perish under the light of truth.
II may be truly asserted that but few
books which have recently appeared are
as full frelghted with interest, and are
as comprehensive in striking and in
| spring incident as this. 1t has only tc be
! read 10 be enjoyed.
BY SUNLIT WATERS. A Story of ram
pa. BY Thomas Mitchell Shackleford
and William Wilson DeHart. +. Ten
nyson Needy, Publisher. London and
New York.
This work is the result of the united
! labors OF a minister and lawyer, and
shows that both have been at no little
pains TO make It a success. The central
figures in the plot are well-to-do people.
with abundant means and plenty OF time
at their disposal They bask, so 70 speak,
| in the Florida sunshine, enjoy all the
| luxuries of life that money can buy, and
| indulge in bombastic conversations which
/ TO say the least, are astonishiy unnatu-
raj IL would be unfair 70 say that these
conversations lack cleverness-in s3Oth
| that is their very fault. for when taken
| at their food they are so fun of smart
| ness that the reader Is ofttimes diverted
from the plot. For education and in
! struction such collOquies do very well IN
| books, but the great question is, DO they
| occur i'm real life? We think not And
then. too the whole story OF by Sunlit
] Waters is told through the medium or
these conversations. The collaboTaiors
make the characters explain themselves.
and consequently the readers have 10
wade through a great many preliminary
! good mornings" &c, which are by no
means necessary Or edifying.
| The prominent figure in the novel-for
| II love affairs make a novel this Is sure
ly one-does not show UP 10 any great