New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-22
Literary NesOs and Criticism

ingly simple and nafvely personal ac-
count Of life on one OF the great South
Carolina lowlsnd plantations by the sa-
rannsh River. in the 4gs and SOS. Writ
ten primarily 10 preserve for a grand
daughter bred in the North a picture Of
the old South of the authors youth IL
n likely 90 command a wider interest
through the details IL gives OF family life
and customs among the Carolinian arts
tocracy We learn about the plantation
work and sports. educational methods
and religious habits. and through the
mist Of fond memories we see the hos
pitable, cultivated society OF the ruling
land owners slavery presented itself 10
Mrs. De Saussure In its kindliest as
poets. as a pstrisrchal system with a
master controlling p hand OF grown-up
children with firm but friendly hand
as much for their benefit as for his-and
q mistress looking as consc!entiousiy
after the health and moral welfare OF
her black dependents as after the needs
20 her own family. The war came ana
shcrman's army passed through the Bos-
tick plantation. leaving ruin behind ".
SO that the family returned 90 find desc
iation and 90 endure scfusl suffering
until they were made comfortable by the
almost providentisl arrival Of cargo
Of goods cent 10y All old English friend,
who knew of tho Confederate defeat and
thought they must be In need. This help
was regarded as creating a sacred debt
which was finally paid. though II took
wears 10 pay II. The courage ana
strength Of character with which these
peop,e. whose wealth had been suddenly
swept away. turned 20 the work al their
hands and 90 the preservation Of all that
was best in their lives. are surely worthy
OF remembrance. and IL is well 20 have
published such vivid and unassuming
records as the one printed in this little
book
Somewhat belated. but nevertheless
very welcome is the addition made 10
tie seasons juvenilis in THE Great Sea
Horse" d.ittle. Brown & Coz. a coIlec-
ton Of fairy tales by Isabel Anderson.
iavishiy illustrated I'm c0lors by John
Elliott. Wonderful adventures by land
and sea are recited in this book. recited
with artistic hrevity. with many bright
and fanciful touch. and. above all. with
certain winning sweetness. II -
Jolly book. toe. with things in il over
which the youngsters are bound Ia CHR
rep We can imagine the fun they will
have trying 90 memorize this delectabie
poem:
4 sailor named Taylor was wrecked on a
Whaler-the sea was about 20 prevail
When. lucky FOR Taylor. the laundering
whaler caught up with a slumbcring
In order 20 sail her 90 harbor" said Tsy-
Tor. myself III avail Of this gale
SO Taylor. the sailor. the sail Of the whaler
did nail Ger the tail - the whale
Few scientific mysteries take such a
powerful hold on the popular magma
ton as do those Of astronomy. Per-
haps the fact is explained 10y the seem
ingly infinite extent Of the universe
which presents them. the incslcula bic
periods 81 time some OF them involve.
and the stupendous forces 10 which
others relate. IL is because ne has
rare gift Of separating the poetry OF
these wonders from their prose and
mathematics that Mr.. Garrett p. Serviss
exerts such a fascination on the mind.
In his "Curiosities of the sky narper
a Bro) he offers. Of course. little in
formation that is new. but his manner
Of imparting Il is a source Of unbounded
delight.