The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-05-30
THE OLD PLANTATION"
A Book That Should Find its Way
Into Every Southern Home.
Cant. : A. Ashp. in Raleigh Post. }

Capt 5 A. Ashe, in Raleigh Post-)
THE OLD PLANTATION'-By Jas.
Battle Ayirett. author of +.Ashby
and His Compeers," ''Who Was the
Traitor" etc. F. Tennyson Nicely
Co., New York.
This interesting and entertaining
volume is an offering by its gifted
author to the reading public, made
with the view to perpetuate the recol-
lection of life on the Southern planta-
ton in the golden days before the
war. 1t is the product OF a warm
heart and a correct apprehension OF
the deep influences that pervaded the
home of the Southern planter. The
author was reared among the scenes
he so pleasantly despicts, and is him
self the emanation of the influences
he so strikingly portrays. Aproduct
of plantation life, he enters on his
description with zeal and enthusiasm
and writes con amore, as if he were
in love with the subject, and as If, in
deed, every thought was the result OF
some affectionate remembrance OF in
III MS own DOf uOOu.
Some chapters are devoted to de-
scription of the plantation life, and
| the cares of the planter are Calculated
and brought wildly to the mind of
the reader. The sympathy between
the master and the Slave, the ties
that bound them together, the care
fulness of the owner in regard to the
welfare of the servant, the attention
in sickness, as we'll as the discipline
necessary to control and regulate the
labor of the negroes, are all set forth
appro priately and intelligently.
That part of the book has an in
trinsc value as perpetuating truth
full picture of the institution OF
slavery sit existed on large planta-
ton.
Further on the author enters into
the details of life in the Great House
and life in the humble cabin of the
negro Here his fine descriptive
powers have room for ample play
and many will read those pages with
keen interest. AS it is not intended
a. humorous book, but 4 valuable
contribution to historical literature
it does not abound in that wit fol
which some of the darkies are
famous; but, nevertheless, here anC
there are flashes Of humor that will
be thoroughly enjoyed. One is re
minded constantly of that admirable
recontour, the author of "Brer' Rabbit
and other darkey stories that consti
tuted the folk lore of the old planta
| ton.
The constructing, the fox hunt
the pony penning, the dance, tn
Christmas festivities, the fishing ans
hunting scenes are one and all yer,
ENJOYABLE, and Old, as we'll as young
will find it hard to put the book dow
until each story has been finished.
In presenting this book to the pub
lie the author has not sought t.
enter into controversy concernin,
slavery. He believes that he ha
been content to let the reader pas
on the questions without arguments
ton on his part. And yet one canno
read DR.. Hunter McGuire's introduc
ton without feeling that in the est
nation of that very intelligen
scholar. the author has furnished
most satisfactory reply to Mrs
Stoves famous work, Uncle Tom
Cabin" But, without regard to tina
which had reference, we believe, t
the slave, rather than the master, t
| the negro rather than the white race
! the author in this volume portray
the influence Of plantation life and o
, negro slavery upon the whites in
f manner that appeals very strongl
. ! to sentiment. There has never bee
finer strain of manhood and Q
, | womanhood than that developed O
{ the Southern plantation. If proc
were asked, look at that coterie {
f Southern men who made Americ
/ famous in the days of the Revolution
q | remember that from the formation {
the United States until the Sout
seeded the directing intelligence {
our country was found at the South
and then recall the splendid achieve
ments of these men during the wa
. and the heroism and exalted deeds {