The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-15
NORTH CAROLINA FOLKS
MAKE TOO FEW BOOKS.
Nine Tenths of Them Are of an Historical Nature
List of Most Important Books
by Native Writers,

most OF our Garner WORKS. ana IN turn
we may expect many books yet that are
in advance upon this. But not every one
that can write book of history is an his
toran, nor every biographer a Bosewcll
particularly if these same ancestors arc
his subjects. But this society is greatly
encouraging all this line of work. There
is great encouragement for your labors.
If we have no great poet or prose mas
ter, no philosopher or historian of large
magnitude neither have we a great audi
ence waiting for them to appear. But
there is one thing that we are about to
have-we are going to have the most COM
plete democracy that Helas ever looked
upon. The leveling process Is going on
with increasing rapidity. The chief bust
ness of the State Historical and Literary
Society, it seems to me, is concerned with
the leavening of the lump Every day more
people are reading something, more peo-
Lle are gaining a smattering of learning
and information. Better than lamenting
the absence of great native writer's is the
encouragement of the reading of the good
books already printed and that will never
grow old. AS the dwelling processes go on
the mass comes little higher, but the
so plentiful that the product is ,ow Let
us encourage the cultivation of better lit
erary standards and all practical efforts
Tor getting the public to read more of the
books of the masters. BY and by we viii
have a better audience. and presto!
there'll be the better writer's tina. we are
longing for.
Now, l would not have any of my
lengthy remarks be construed into any
encouragement or want of appreciation of
any OF those who are doing all in their
powe: to give North Carolina Creditable
display in the catalogue of books. Every
year shows some really creditabe work.
The present year is probably ahead of the
last. and counting natives, both resident
and nonresident, 1903 comes up with
good record There is the usual presence
OF the historical-much of it creditable,
all OF it valuable for future reference. and
for the purpose of teaching the States
history to the present generation, one of
the objects of this society In the very
short time allotted me | have not been
able to make a complete list of the pub
hcations of the year, and can therefore
make only mention of some OF the most
conspicuous.
Lawson's book of observations. called
the first histry of North Carolina, has
been transcribed from the copy in the
State Library by Col F. A. Odds. of Ra;-
cigh. and after being published serially
IN the Charlotte Observer. has been is,
sued in durab BILE and attractive form by
that paper and put upon the market at
the price of two dollars Maj. w. A.
Graham IS publishing an extended biog.
raphy of Gov Joseph Graham, and it Is
sure to be a very valuable book. This
same must lie said of Mr. Haywood's life
and times of Gov. Tryon, now on the
book store shelves. This work is original
and is the result OF careful investigation,
and in it the author has left the blazed
paths, and ambitiously launched his craft
upon the sea of research. Prof w. e.
DOdl, "a North Carolinian of the faculty
of Randolph Macon has life of Nathaniel
Macon ready for the printer. Mr.. d. A.
Tompkns like the farmer in the fable
having tried in vain to get some one else
to write the history OF Mecklenburg. has
done it himself and we may be sure that
it Is well done. 1t is very encouraging to
see man immersed, as Mr. Tompkins is
in large and varied business enterprises,
turn aside TO write q book and one of
local history at that. Mr.. Frank Nash
has issued a well prepared booklet enti-
tied Historic Hillsboro." Judge Clark
has issued a new volume of the State
Records. Dr. Edwin Minis of Trinity CO.
le2c has been engaged by the well known
publishing house of Houghton. Mifflin
and Company to write a biography of
Sidney Lanier for the series of American
Men of Letters" Mr.. Joseph Alexander
Tillinghast. native OF North Carolina,
and graduate of Davidson College, hat
published book of nearly two hundred
pages on The Negro in Africa and Amer
lca,' which has received very favorable
comment as a serious and thoughtfu
work.
The Neale Publishing Company OF
Washington. has lately issued a volume
called "Boner's Lyics,'' which contains all
the best work of the gifted North Caro-
lima bow, the late John Henry Boncr
whose death occurred this year. Other
poetical works of the year are: Memorial
Poems," by Mrs. f.. NJ. Anderson
Poems" by DR.. w. W. Bays III cart
Songs by Lila Ripley.
The same average reader referred to in
the opening OF this paper would laugh at
the suggestion that number of text
books had this year been published by
North Carolinians. some of which are like
~ to pass into wide use. But such is the
case. DIR. c. Alphonso Smith has issued
an English Grammar. The second is
book OF great importance. 1t is "Agri-
culture for Beginners prepared for the
house ot CHM and Company
by Professors Burkett and Stevens and
Hill, OF the State Agricultural; and M
chanical College. This book is designed
for use in the public schools
and is destined, if honestly taken up and
thoroughly taught. to become a potent
factor in revolutionizing the agricultural
methods of the South, particularly North
Carolina. II has already been adopted for
the public schools of North Carolina and
several other States and so many a. 900
copies have been sent 10 the Philippines
Other text books are: Principles of Dye
ing, by DR.. Geo. p. Traps. "Founda-
ton stones OF True Development" by
Caroline Washburn Redwood
OF course no list OF books by North
Carolinians would be complete without
of 'sThc Ono Nop,an H., To,,,