The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-27


to the question of Secession" Mr. Bur
CESS discussion OF this subject is worthy
of speciaI attention, and though there
are many who may disagree With his con-
cIusions yet all readers VIII concede the
clear presentation of the several theories
regarding the right of States to withdraw
from the Union. Not only will the argu-
mertative portion OF this chapter be com
mended, but the accompanying statement,
of attendant fact viii be certain OF ap-
probation by those desirous OF a complete
understanding of the questions involved.
In the claim Of the right to secede. Fol-
lowing the chapter on secession, we find
the historical narrative dealing with the
inauguration of Lincoln, = .'Thc Attempt
of the Southern Confederacy to Negotiate
with the United States" ana sThe Cap
ture of Fort Sumpter." The last four
chapters of the first volume are devoted
to 1.-THE Three Months War" 'Prepara-s
tons for the Three Years War" ..The
Military Movement in the Late Summer
and Autumn Of 1851 and THE Battle
of Mill Springs" and the engagement be-
tween that and the capture Of Island No.
10. It cannot be said that Prof Burgess
has added much, if anything, to our
knowledge of the military operations Of
this period. His work is necessarily
compilation. and 1t presents few, if any
points which are new. The second vol
ume of this work is devoted almost ex-
clusively to the military history of the
Civil War. AS such it will be welcomed
as an accurate and unprecedented recital
OF military history. Yet it will not take
nigh rank among works dealing exclu-
slvely with this subject. It IS however
a useful textbook, and one that can be
commended, to the reader desiring a con-
densed account of the campaign The
DOCK is furnished with maps and plans.
chronological index in sequence and an
index. At u
TILE LAND OF THE WINE. By A. ].
Drexel Biddle Drexel Biddle, Phila-
delphia.
a. j. DreSel Biddie has with infinite
care gathered all the available facts re-
saTdlng the Madeira Islands during the
long centuries since their discovery, and
has combined the result of his research
with an account OF MADEIRA as it is to-
day. He presents his work to us in
two handsomely bound volumes. printed
upon thick white paper, and printed with
plain type. Throughout the pages we
find numerous illustrations that add
much to the effectiveness of the descrip-
tive text. The real value of the volumes
is centred upon the guide-oook feature Of
Mr. Biddle's work, and, setting aside the
pages devoted to history. we may quote
from Mr.. Biddle's preface and say that
1.-The Land of the Wine is ION the one
hand, a ready-reference book for the
student, with aScomplete set Of foot-note
references and alphabetical lists and in
dexes: and. on the other hand a readable
narrative for the lover of travel, eXpiora-
1ion and adventure The contents of
the first volume include the literary ana
descriptive matter; the technical ana
scientific subjects are discussed IN the
second volume MIR. Biddle has an opser-
want eve: he sees all that is worth see
iu.. and in order thatnothing that might
afrfefrestzl1is- reader.zshould escape ne JOYS
;fsdown fer their. use. lie very properly
commences his descriptive maternal "itn
an account of Landing at Madeira, anu
then he tells US much about the steam
slli1, routes to the island. We next find
information concerning the comfort ana
convenience OF The travellers. Mr.. Bid
ali, Then gives us a synoTsis OF the posi-
bic excursions ara tells us much OF
what max IL found upon these trips.
man of the island, which is bound in the
first volume. aids the reader to under
stand the routes given. In Folulne IL
our author discusses The Natives, Ihelr
characteristics, Religion, Laws ana Gus
toms. The chapter on the Soclal Lie Is
particularly interesting, and Tor that mat
te-. ..I,e+e-Days and Religious Celebra-
tions,, and Commerce and Money OF
Madeira" head interesting chapters. Fol-
,o1,-;n,- 4his inu,ire into the lie of the ma
3i,-es ~. find detailed and informing de-
srrin+ions of the VARYING phases OF me
77lora of Madeira This is followed py
chanters containing information concern
ing the Fauna. Part of the work Is
devoted to the Vine and the VINE.
and although this present hte-e tlat Is
new. vet it is valuable as presenting IN
formation that is not readily accesioie "
The general reader Taking the volumes
tneaIer the work may be said to be
fairly entitled to a place upon the sheli
of every library in which section IS
given to travel
HISTORY OF AMERICAN VERSE. By
James L. Onderdonk. a. c. NcC-urg
& Co., Chicago.
A copy OF History OF American Verse
by James L. Onderdonk, lies before us.
The book. which covers the years from
1910 to 1897. is a comprehensive, scholarly
and valuable piece OF work. Mr.. On
derdonk, who died before the publication
of his book. has evidently given much
study to his subject. and the result is
such as to warrant the pains which he
bestowed upon it. There are not a few
instances in which we question the cor
rectness of Mr.. 0nderdonk's Judgment
for or against a poet: but as in such in
stances we have nothing better than our
own opinion to oppose to his Judgment,
we can evidently make no valid objec-
ticn to the latter. Yet We do not great
~ like, because of difference of Judgment,
the concluding chapters of Mr.. Onder-
donil's work, in Which he deals with the
modern poets; but, as a rule. We have
no fault to find with his verdicts upon
those of greater antiquity. We think that
III a few cases. such as those Of Jane
Turell and Stephen Tilden, ne is a lite
too Mandatory or at least eXculpatory:
bat that is an alniable weakness, and he
sometimes scores the old poetasteTs
whose names have come down to US in
vague form as those of poets and genius,
notably in the case of mo. MAYHEM greatly
admired in his day; now held in esteem
by those who know only his name, but
whose works are rightly characterized
BIZ Mr. Onderdonk as .'Bellicose vapor-
.!gs'' and rantings. On the whole, we
have found ourselves usually in accord
with our author in his judgments, and
we welcome his work as one of great
value to all who are interested in the