New-York tribune., 1906-12-08

Charleston, S. c., is a city not only pictur-
esQue IN many Of Its outward aspects, but pos
sessing a peculiarly picturesque social charm,
the outcome of a history full Of romantic Incl
dent Of a nature scarcely TO be paralleled else
where IN America What Charleston is to-day,
despite the levelling potency Of modern CONNER
cial and industrial development, has been de-
nghtfully shown in Mr.. owen Wisters novel.
Lady Baltimore" What Charleston was be
fore the war" is agreeably outlined by Mrs.
Ravenel in the present volume. The author
aims not so much 10 give connected historical
account OF the city as TO indicate the special
events and influences that conspired TO give the
place its distinctly individual character In this
she has notably succeeded. The Carolopolitan
will be quick 10 recognize the appositeness Of
her selections and the truthfulness Of the result
ing picture, while the stranger, who has never
visited the town. will carry away with him a
vivid and accurate impression Of its civic per-
sonality. Mr.. Bailey's clever pen and ink draw
ings effectively supplement the text and many
as they are. the reader would be glad 70 have
more of them.
The very site OF the original city Of Charles
Town, still known as "Old Town Plantation" is
associated with a suspected romance. The land
chosen by the Grand Council Of the province was
mere a place upon Ashley River known Oys-
ter Point and owned by Mr. John Corning and
Affra his wife" AS to the romance. Mrs. Raw
enel writes:
For why should Mistress Affra Harleston Of
MoIIyns. daughter of John Hareston. Gent. Of a
having estates in Ireland" come out to America
servant to Mr. owens nut ioI a sehInentaI g a. rea-
ventory contained seller, parIour kitchen, arder,
ggTsl gaT raerie to the garretes etc Why having
everything thus handsome about her. did she leave
il all if it were not TO marry John Corning first
mate Of the Carolina ana aIter"ard captain or the
hardy Devonshire sailor OF the race of Drake and
Raleigh and Kingseys heroes. The family tradi-
he had been accused Of c6wardice; whereupon he
had with his own hands built and rtgsed a long
boat in which he crossed the Atlantic. He
have been man Of means; for on first arrival lie
the Cooper.
Perhaps he was not so rich. after all: since,
when land was held at a penny acre, "it did
not require g large fortune 10 become baron
with twelve thousand acres. a cassique with
twenty-four thousand, or even a landgrave
(these were the titles chosen) with forty-eight
thousand" Business. rather than religion, seems
TO have occupied the minds Of the first settlers,
since It was fourteen years before the first
church. St Philips, was begun. It was built Of
black cypress, a tree wonderful large and tall
and smootke and OF a delicate graine. and
smells" About this tirne came the Huguenots,
who soon comprised one-sixth Of the entire pop
moulding the character Of the town. A public
library, opened In 17OS testiies to the cultivated
tastes Of the people II must have been quite a
sizable collection, since a Mr.. MoseIy was paid
hve pounds. fifteen shiIngs. for cataloguing the
books
Buccaneers and pirates early appreciated the
advantages Of the harbor and the city. In the
DAYS Of the towns poverty they put in to reft
and 10 spend their ill-gotten gold in the days of
its prosperity TO refill their empty purses at the
expense Of the wealthy inhabitants. Brave tales
are told of the defensive and offensive warfare
carried on by the citizens against these maraud-
era. and OF the capture and execution OF the re-
doubtable Stede Bonnet. The neglect OF the
.'Proprietors" IN leaving the colonists 70 fight
their own battles on the high seas was an active
factor in the revolt that ended in the Kings
taking over the control Of the Province which
soon found that IT had only exchanged one form
~ roIsrule for another. Discomfort with the
government did not notably interfere with the
growth OF the colony in numbers or in wealth
When St Aichaels Church was built the news
were granted" 10 those applying for them: the
grant" however. following 2 "henevolence'
varying apparently from sixty 10 one hundred