New-York tribune., 1906-06-09
THE GALLIC STRAIN.
Oar Country's Debt to Its Early
HuguenOt Settlers.

M x2d n B LuSan SHG
PIP. AS. Fleming H Revell Company.
Mr. Fosdick states in the "foreword" OF his
book that the purpose of Il is ito trace the pres
ence and influence of the French Protestant
blood in America and to show how important
part it has had in the making Of our republic"
He discusses first the rise of Professionalism in
France as foreshadowed in the life and death of
loan of Arc "a Protestant before the Reforma-
ton" whose spirit to live again in the HUI
guenots" He adds to this interesting con-
sideration OF 1.-The Huguenots in France" to
illustrate how they realized in their lives the
spirit of the Maid of Orleans, and how their
characters developed under persecution
strength of purpose that was to make them an
: influential factor in the progress Of the New
World TO which they were driven in search for
religious liberty. Religious persecution, how
ever ii is apparent, did not greatly interfere
with the material prosperity of the Huguenots'
and whether they remained in France or sought
a wider field for their energies in the other
countries of Europe in America, the author
is anxious to demonstrate that they were men OF
affairs. enterprsing and successful In business
as we'll as liberal in their views.
The work is thus seen to be frankly partisan
in its character. and its arguments and conciu-
stons must be Judged with due allowance for the
rreiudices and point of view of the author; yet
if we feel that he claims, on the whole, more
than he is successful in proving, he has at least
opened I'D a subject of more than ordinary in
terest TO students of American history and de-
velopment; and must end in recognizing the
substantial debt that our country owes to the in
fusion of French Huguenot blood among the
early settlers in the colonies, even if we are un-
able 10 agree with Mr. Fosdick that 1t was as
nrenotent as he wishes us to believe. That
France herself valued highly the character and
ability of the Huguenots is shown by the efforts
sbe made to prevent their emigration after the
revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Yet in spite
of her most strenuous exertions probably four
hundred thousand Huguenots escaped across the
borders
Those who were apprehended were certain to be
,be holder spirits from making endeavor to
reach freedom The greatest Tarety 0t strata "a
England inside empty wine casks; noble ladies
OF eafte across the Dutch frontiers; others vent
1red out 10 sea in open boats 10 board some friend
from II nl' swiss servant and FOR weeks rubbed her
face with nettles TO produce the blotched appear
ance called for in the description
Even earlier than this thousands of Hugue-
nots had left France for other countries. and
among those who went to Holland was one
Gulllaume Molines who first appears in history
as William Mullins one Of the passengers OF the
Sreedwel when IL left Delfthaven TO join the
NaynoWer at Southampton. He and wife and
son as we know WELL died in the first year after
arriving in America with the Pilgrims. "but
Priscilla survived. and by her marriage with
John Alden became the ancestress OF that cele-
brated New England family the Aldens." The
autnor believes that in her French birth we shall
find an explanation Of her early romance.
II has always been a source OF wonder that
English girl could have the ready wit TO give John
Alden 'the tip" that released him from his am
OF the fierce little captain; How blind we were
ia The Gallo coauetry with which she held on 10
Miles til she had secured joint She was a worthy