Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-07

brother-in-law. in December. 1854 do
YOU know that the last loud call for
10000 men has produced just 10000?
OF these only about 6O,OUU were sent TO
the field. and the share Of my army. one
Of the largest in the field. was not over
loco. and of this number the greater
part were worthless foreigners, who are
daily deserving to the enemy. In
doubtedly the south is becoming exhausted
its calmly discussing the expediency of
freeing and arming the slaves is positive
evidence OF its exhaustion and despera-
ton but unless we take advantage of
this by increasing our armies and strfk-
Ing telling blows 1t can prolong such a
definitely"
One feature of this book is open to
criticism. The maps relating to Gettys-
burg a the end of the second volume are
given in reverse order No reason is
given for this illogical arrangement The
maps are clear and helpful, but too many
places mentioned on the text are omitted.
The popular estimate of Meade is that
he was too prudent commander, that
he feared to take risks That view Is
based upon the fact that he neglected
to attack Lee after the Gettysburg fight.
II is interesting to learn from one OF his
civil war letters to mis- wife that he con-
sidered himself somewhat Of q fire-eater
and condemned in Mcclellan what he re-
garded as his excessive prudence. He
Whites JduuaTy =. 1900, after Jne FTcU-
erickburg defeat: 81 am tired Of this
playing war without risks. We must
encounter risks IL We fight. and we cam
not carry on war without fighting. That
was McClellan's vice. He was always
waiting to have everything just as he
wanted before he would attack. and be-
fore he could get things arranged as he
wanted them the enemy pounced on him
and thwarted all his plans. There Is now
no doubt he allowed three distinct occa-
sions to take Richmond slip through his
hands for want OF nerve to run what he
considered risks. Such q general will
never command success. though he may
avoid disaster"
THE PATHOs OF DISTANCE, = Book
of n Thousand and One Moments.
by James Huneker. author of
"Promenades of an Impressionist.
etc. New York: Charles Scribner's
Sons. Washington: Brentanos.
The title here. one Of Nietzsche's coin
ings. names little essay hiding some
where about the middle of this volume.
But much more than this. it gives the
quality of very many of these essays.
the poetic turn of them, giving 1t quite
unconsciOusly. of course. The undertitle
describes the whole book. Out of it's
reading one comes to realize that each
of these thousand and one moments is
inspired: that it strikes at the instant
when thoughts come fast and flow clear.
leapng out from every possible point OF
contact 1t is an indescribably charm
ing book filled with things about which
average folks simply long to have some
capable and captivating personal talk.
And here he is, talking just as one hopes
he will There is a good deal about art
here. every bit of which is bound 10 go
straight to the art lover in instruction
and suggestion and entertainment One
likes immensely what the author says
about Whistler. There Is a touch on
the Celtic awakening. with a fine appre-
citation Of John M. Synge and an ad-
mrable sizing up Of George Moore. Mr.
Hunneker at one point browses among
his books. genially permitting the reader
to watch these browsngs as he nips
and nibbles at Gautier. Maeterlinck. Pa
ter. Nerlaine and others. A flip of good
gossip comes here and there-just the
kind that one delights in secretly. though
i'm the open he holds 1t In scorn. The
whole is delightful-a book wherein
fine critical power comes out in every
day dress and speech. telling us sound
things and wise about any number of
interesting and important matters in art
and the drama. in literature and in per-
sonal appraisal.
THE DRIFT OF ROMANTICISM. BY
Paul Elmer More, author OF The