The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-11-29
SOME OLD NORTH STATE
AUTHORS AND THEIR WORK
An "Appreciatve Ref Professor Poteats ADJ
Dress The Enrichment of Country Life. An
Inter sting English Character

multiplication of addresses, essays, his
torical and biographical pamphlets, and
valuable communications from many
writer's in the leading newspapers. / sup
pose that there have been ten competent
writer's engaged in the time mentioned IN
STUDYING certain events and facts connect
ed WIN North CaroAna where there Was
but one In the decade preceding. 1 dare 10
say that since 1880, more papers OF value
bearing upon our State have been pa
lsneu tnan IN the nan century before 1t. ]
see from paper read before the r1ls-
torical Assoeiat on lately held at Raielgn
by my gifted trends, Mr. F. F. Beaseiey,
editor Oh the Monroe Journal, that there
have been twenty-sIx books publ. shed this
year by native North Carohnians. l think
that pro.ab.y thele have been one
more published that were not included In
lbs photography for the year. believe all
he menuons weie natives. | never include
Intentionally writer's born in other States
among our native writer's Mrs Mar
garet G. Preston, really accomplished
and elegant writer, and author OF some
sweet and melod Gus poetry, is generally
mentioned as a Virg .nian writer, when IN
is so with Prot. Benjamin Sledd, of Wake
Forest College, a genuine poet who writes
pure and excellently finished verse. He is
n Virg MAN, and not native North Caro-
linian. claim only native-born writer's
when essaying to Illustrate the productive
ness of our own State. Albert Pike used
TO be cited as writer OF some strik ns
short poems, and Southern born, but he
was of New England, just as the great
orator S. S. Prentiss, was. Let us rely
upon our own home writer's when We
would urge the literary industry and merit
of North Carolina. In this connection let
me refer to very pleasing and nspir-
ing address / but recently read. 1t APP
peared in the Raleigh News and Observer,
and was by Prof w. l.. Poteat, native
son, but Professor in Wake Forest Col
lege. an instltu ION that is well manned
al through and has men of scholarship
and fine capacity to represent ts stand
ing and influence in the South. Prof.
Poteat--born in CasweE county, if / am
not mistaken-is President OF the North
Carolina Historical and Literary Associa-
ton. His theme was inviting-"The En-
richment of Country Life" 1t was adj
mirably handled, and with marked inter-
est. began to read it to see how we'll
the Professor handled his engaging topic
in hand, and l became so interested
read to the end. 1t was thoughtful, SEN
sible practical address. The theme was
we'll grasped and elaborated with much
skill, and i'll pleasing, clear style that
both appealed to and engaged my entire at
tention 1t was ev IDENTIFY prepared with
care, and shows culture. reading, and ac-
quaintance with Nature. Such an address
if widely read could but do good. His
concluding words were climatrlc and I'M
pressive / give them:
"All this means q return to nature, to
a simpler, sanner truer, llfe 1t means the
emergence of agriculture into new dig
nifty and responsibility. 1t means the
renascence of Southern influence IN ma
t.onal affairs. If | do not err it means
for us in this agricultural region the re-
covery of at least some of the charm OF
the social life that crowned the prosperity
of other days. It means the birth OF
new and richer literature to record faith
fully and in tenderness our past and cele-
brate the larger life of the new day."
-
Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, with
six or seven degrees attached, is an inter
esting English character, and sold er as
we'll as writer of real merit. He will
soon publish in two volumes work en-
titled The Story of Soldiers Life" 1t
VIII be no doubt full of interest He
fought in several of the many wars Great
Britain is forever being involved in as
result of its conquering, expanding pro-
clivities and abuses. It tells of his expert
ences IN the war against Burmah in 1852
So; of his trials in the Crimean war OF
1864; of his camraign in India; of the wal
with China in 1860, and adventures. He
tells of his visit to France, his commits
sion to Canada, his expedition to the
Southern Confederacy. where he paid a
visit to General Lees headquarters in
Virginia; his expedite to the Niagara
frontier, his apo ntment as head of the
British Quartermaster Generals Depart
ment n Canada, the political troubles in
the Red River territory: his work on
the staff at the Canadian War Office, his
friendship with Mr.. Cardwell, and the
work closes with an account of the
Ashantee war. Lord Wolseley describes
tie country which his army traversed in
It's march to Koomassie. and destruction
of the capital, and the peace he made with
his, published perhaps three years ago
Field Marshal Wolseley gave it as his
opinion that General Pobert e. Lee was
even & greater soldier than the Duke of
Wellington, England's pet. and greatest
hero since the times of the Duke of Mari
Borough in Queen Anne's reign. 1t is
quite probable that the Enghshman is
correct in his Judgment. /
Those who lived in the forties remember
perh9ps what a great interest among edu +
cated readers novel-very long-called |
"Ten Thousand a Year produced 1 re- |
member to have read it in my early TWEEN
ties, and with very great delight. 1t i'm.
PR ssed my youthful mind that it was real
ly 4 great book. have not read it in more
than fifty years, and am sure I would !
enjoy it hugely even now, but would
read II in its complete edition, without the
curta lment of a single page. make this
remark because 1t is announced that this I
rs | believe, novel of very marked exec
lency ard originality has been issued in a !
atly reduced size II contains 1874