New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-13

having mine
Another especially interesting epistle Is ons
wherein. writing to his father. Percy UNDER
takes to describe the country about Boston.
Here his powers OF observation stand him in
good stead. and we are given what may ac-
cept a fairly faithful word picture OF exist
ing conditions 1t is pleasing to know that
however much he disiked the Americans with
whom he came into.contact. our epistolary war
riOr acknowledged the beauty OF their land. al
though he could not fOrbear fling at the pow
erty Of the soil, which he ascribed to the inhab-
itants' neglect Of fertilization rather than to
any natural defect OF the soil itself" OF the
life in camp he has comparatively little to say.
We find him noting that his expenses were
rather high because he had a table Of Il
covers every day and occasionally invited "the
Gentlemen OF the country to dine with him.
He also complains OF the prices asked for all
manner OF articles. The letters as a whole. are
devoid of chit-chat. coming straight to the
point and dealing with essentials. which is not
altogether surprising in view OF the difficulty
and vexatiOn. to say nothing Of the expense.
involved in letter writing in those bygone days
While Percy writes Of war and bloodshed the
burden OF the Rev. Silas Constants journal Is
Of peace Two more striking contrasts in the
way Of family documents could not well Ds
terrain minister at Blooming Grove. Smiths
Glove and Yorktown. began to keep a Journal
in 11S3. and diligently continued making entries
therein until late in the summer Of 1SOI. Year
after year. almost day in and day out. he re-
corded what he deemed the most important
event in that particular day Of his life. and the
result is curiOusy dry compendium. although
by no means lacking in interest TO those who
like to study the annals OF a simple homcly
life What went on in the world about him
was clearly no concern Of the Rev. Silas Con-
slant A brief extract from the journal for
1877 viii suffice to disclose the character of the
entries the worthy parsOn perseveringly penned
for nigh score of years:
November 22-Rode to Captain Browns:
married George Brinkerhon and S(usannsJ
Brown; rode to PeekskiH Hollow: married
John Barreger and Elizabeth CrOnk; staid at
November 23.-Rode home; Joseph Brinker-
hOr at house. sermon at Joseph FowIer's.
Proverbs viii. 5 Gin the) evening. attentive audi
November 24.-Cold and clear. studying.
November 2j.-At Peekskill. preached Matthew
xii 3: Romans will 80; in the evening John
Jones's. Romans v. H. stayed at John Carman's.
November 26-ROde home; worked at the milk
room
Seldom IS Mr. Constant betrayed into a dis
play OF enthusiasm. his sluggish pen being In
spired but by religious zeal The peculiar habit
OF tnterpolatinG CALCULATIONS Of thanksgiving
sometimes yields entries not altogether devoid
Of humor. Thus for Christmas Day OF 1871 the
Journal reads: Preached at my house not able
to go to meeting house. Luke ii. GLORY to
Cob" Again. New Years Day. 1895. the
diarist chronicles: May God give grace 10 live
to His glory! David and Chloe here; rode TO Mr.
Pullens; to Benjamin CrOsby's; preached Psalms
xc, L.; stayed at DIR. CorneHuss." Chloe
his elder daughter and it is curious % note that
the occasion of her marriage. judging by his
journal, made little more than a ripple in her
Unconditional parents ocean OF life. The journal
thus records her wedding day: Preached (aO
Yorktown to young people. Proverbs iii. ):
married David Hyatt and ClOe Constant"
From the standpoint Of the casual reader. the
volume must be stamped mOnOtOnOus In the ex-
IRENE But Mrs. Roebling does not assume that
it will fall into the hands OF casual readers.
The value of the Journal. to use her own words,
lies in it's being "a mine of names and dates. and
a record for a part Of New-YOrk which is de-
fcient in public records OF marriages and
deaths" Mrs. ROebHng herself found it useful
in tracing the genealOgy OF the Warren family.
led her to believe that she would be doing a real
service ito the descendants Of many Of the fam
lies of Mr. Constants parish" by having the
journal published. and hence it's appearance to-
day in the form OF a well printed. well bound
and well Illustrated book In the eyes Of the