New-York tribune., 1911-01-14

Pattison. VI. a. With eighteen inustra-
tOns and six maps and plans. Svoi Pr.
xiv, 500 +. +. Dutton * CO.
In his brief Introduction Mr.. Dunn
Pat,ison expresses the wish that some
historian may ere long undertake the
writing OF n great" life Of the Black
Prince, thus drawing attention 10 the
curious fact that so strik.rsly romantic
an historical figure has thus far been un-
accountably neglected by h,ographCrs.
While awaiting Che desired great
work. Mr.. Dunn Pattison's own popu-
lar but scholarly book viii serve excel
lnntly well the requirements Of those
who would gain a satisfactory measure
of knowledge OF the life and deeds Of tho
hero a. Poicticrs, and Of the period in
which DO had hts being
d is as flower or ohiyalry and a great
warrior that tho author presents him
chiefly acknowledging freely his failure
as au administrator ia Aquit1inc, but
claiming not without sound historic rea-
suu.ug that, had Do lived hc might veil
hoy, proved himself an enlightened, pro-
gr,sslye ruler awakened los his very
mistakes to the dawniug fact that gov-
,rrmout should benefit Tho governed as
wriE6 as their governors
Tho ideals ~ knighth0od had already
ieguD Co dctcriorato IN tho early years
uf the fourteenth century. so FAR as the
vows of humility and service were CON
orrnnd. From rules 81 conduct they
had changed into sea OF class obllg1-
tluus with o. firmly fixed point Of honor
aud SCI Of ethics that permitted the
Nuighf tp loggtr h's tenants IN order
that hH might uphold hIs dignity. his
pride and glory Zoo lavish display ana
prove Dis pIpwcs8 in costly Journeys
Quiyotsm sim fourished on the field of
battle. 'u au kulEhuy intorcourse but
'uHI'"sso oHliro' was IN affair among
u,Il bonn equals only The commander
Who won fame among foes and friends
alike hy hH bravery. LIS generosity and
c1urtasy toward yunqulshcd enemy. by
tNo perfection of his ohivolry. sacked
ana masnrred and burned tho towns ~
merchants and laid waste the fields al
tho base born pcaaantry Ia an this tho
Black Prince was a., child ~ his time
and ot nls fth,r-1 PlnntaReneL
The glamour that stu surrounds his
nam, can only bo understood when he is
placed boz h.s own time and seen from lts
standpoint This is how Mr Dunn-Pat-
usln sees him. and makes his readers
e.u him. % knight brave 90 rccklessucss.
one az The greatest military commanders
OF his age, quixotic 90 the danger of his
own uudoing. as when he allowed his
most formidable opponent. du Gucsclin,
o. 20 free because the FrCnChman had
,ragIy secured DIS word FOR it. cx-
trrynRunt generous, amiablc the idol
~ his mobiles and his soldiers. sincerely
religious pleasure loving. cruel, honestly
ana are of the rights ~ his interiors
Obj, incarnation of all the contradictions.
the ideals and the ininsticcs the para
dox at chiyaIry The career of Prince
Edward of Woodstock. the mirror ~
chi,a'ry the proud representative Of
Enriish kuighthOod." says Mr.. Dunn
Pattison. "Opens with the sack OF Caen
anu tftr WIN tue @t'k 'l LllllNb'fs
The descriptions OF the Black Princes
battles are vivid. The examination OF
his campaigns II informing and clear:
IIe had the ability 10 profit Uy tEe mis-
tgk,g ~ others . OF lia personal
courage there is no need 20 say moro. . . d.
Personnel magnetism he possessed a. an eN-
truordinary degree. b.. ORGANIZATION was
hiz forte IL D. no small thing in these
days. when organization has been brought
Co "a science. 10 provide Tor force of sixty
thousand men. But We yec that the prince
successfully arranged Tor the provision u
such n force ana the passage OF his huge
train over the barren uplauds OF Auvergne.
A. q tUcticisu he was as great as
bis father and probably greater. As a
sttatrKtst he surpasscs the other great
soldiers of his day, Edward flt and du
Gucsclu for. great az thev were as lead
erf OF men and commanders on the field OF
battle. tnev never seem 60 have grasped
The elements OF strategy. How sound
was his system can best be estimated by
/ the terrible rgp!1ity with which the French
I rccained tho country once lis controlling
hand was removed.
The author pays admiring homage 70
/ the virtues Of Philippa OF Hainault as
mother wife and queen, and devotes n
chapter 10 the institution Of the order ot
The Garter and its original purpose. a