The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-26

RODS arc also interesting In them
selves. for the lessons they teach OF
moral and political aspirations: out OF
them has sprung the idealism that
shines III the pages of American hts
tory. ana that makes worthy our ma
iional life Of to-day. No one can un-
dtrstand Alright this noble heritage
without some study Of our seventeenth
and eighteenth century literature
fragrlentary as IL Is"
Therefore he treats at length both
of these periods with illuminative
comment. and. therefore. again, tho
book is valuable rs contribution to
tho study OF the nations growth and
development, apart from its great
worth as study OF the nations litera-
turc.
In his treatment q. American writer's
Professor Metcalf has made a geo.
graphical arrangement not with n
view TO displaying or encouraging sec
tionalism, out because OF the ncces-
sary Influence welded by natural and
communiial environment. by tradition
and hr hcredity. upon the men and
women OF different sections of Amer
lea.
These influences and their effect are
treated with soundness. yet with en-
tire freedom from pcdantry: with
much charm. yet with careful
avoidance Of the fantastic and inn
asinatiNe. And, with clear reasoning,
they are shown to he welded and blend
ed ana intcrtwined into that whole
force and spirit which has produced
American literature.
While Professor Metcalf has re-
Trained, as has been said, from show
ing. the bias OF sectional pride, and
mas given full space TO the New York
Washington Irving. James Fenimore
Cooper and William Cullen Bryant, ana
has justly devoted much study 10 the
New England writcrs-Emerson. Thor.
eau hawthorne. Long follow. Lowell
uolmes. Webster ana Whit,ier-as
well as 70 the work Of the literary
men OF The Middle West and OF the
West, thus making his volume In every
essential a textbook eminently htlcd
Tor use throuch out the country. it Is
notably adapted To tine requirements
OF southern teachers ana students
amer iehh Literature" undoubtedly
contains = fuller treatment and d g.
cussion OF southern writer's than amy
other textbook Of like scope In IL Is
contained brief but pithy survey OF
Inc earlier conditions in the South.
winch tended so strongly. as the au.
thot points out, to sturdy Individual.
!sih, but which. as we'll. created an at.
mosphcfo Tar from favorable to tho Dro.
auction Of literature
Indeed. so inmical was this atuos-
phere that. as Professor Metcalf saws
II was surprising that so much was
accomplished in literature and of such
h'sh quality under circumstances pas
SlNcIS. though not actively. adverse
we can account for it," he saws
only on the ground that the southern
~ mas always been an incurable ideal
isi This radiant ideansm shines
throughout Southern literature"
~ course The salient. dominant tig-
g n "a
ana him he treats with sympathy ana
insight ~ = chapter alive with inter
,s,' indeed, this portion OF the book
~ - reality monograph of rare
charm. which Is heightened by the au-
ihors warm appreciation of the South
sfn--haS' American poets genius
lie quotes John Henry Bonel's verse.
No singer Of old story
LutinE accustomed laws
No harper for new glory.
NO rrndicant for praise
lie struck high chords and splendid.
herein were Hereby blended
Tones that unfinished ended
Nith his unfinished days"
Ana h. concludes his estimate of
hlm with the words. AS an artist M
the b.autifuI ana tho terrible as an
ihtaAst. rs = dreamer Of fantastic. a.
"ell as bemcncient dreams his .nn,.,I
Is World wide"
sidney Lanier. Henry Timrod. Paul
taunton iihync. Father Ryan. John
IL. thompson and James Barron Hone
arc recalled and discussed. Then fol-
lows ne group al later writer's of rho
south, whom he treats in rnviaws ~
varying lengths, bur Of equal interest
OF particular interest 10 Virciui,ns
VAN % Professor Metcalfs comments
upon thr Nlreuian writer's OF the i'm
insNiAie day. Miss Johnston. Miss