The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-27

- 1 for the pains and labor which I have | bestowed upon this book, regardless | of the expense of it's publication" l It was evident at the very beginning | that the Letters of Junius" had q fixed and settled purpose politically, as the situation in England at that time was in deplorable condition and everybody had word to say concern l ing it.
 | The government had recently 1 emerged from a seven years war with l France and was overwhelmingly in debt. Spain had also been giving Eng | land considerable trouble about the | Falkland Islands. George TIT had re- gently become King; he was young and inexperienced, being only about 15 years old when the first Junius let ter was written; consequently, his l mother. the Princess Dowager of | Wales, was regent until the young l King attained his majority. She was governed almost entirely by Lord Butte, then prime minister of England He and the queen regent had the tute- lage of the young King in their own hands and molded his character and political opinions after their own mo- tions. which were on a very selfish and arbitrary line; besides, history in- forms us that he was. by no means, ali intellectual character, which frequent ly showed itself during his reign. All this and more riled the English people to a state of almost frenzied grievance and "Junius' was the first to take up the cudgels and fight the situation.
 Captain Graves. through many in teresting chapters cites various dis tinguished men of that day as the possible author of the Letters of Jun jus" comparing their style their po- litica1 views and their diction with those of the eminent scholar who signed himself "Junius''
 Finally the clever author makes known his opinion as to who the real author of the Letters of Junius" is, which in the first part of his book ne mentions casually by the statement: "Junius finally discovered in the per- son of a very talented Englishman who fought with the Americans in the revolutionary war; saying:
 q conscientiously believe that l have adduced abundant evidence to prove that Francis was not the author, but that Thomas Paine was the real author of the Junius letters.
 If any of my readers wish to chal- lenge any position which I have taken in this controversy, and will write me, will take pleasure in endeavoring to answer him. Possibly, I owe my read
  discussion so much but I conceive it to be incumbent upon me to strengthen every redoubt which an ambitious critic might attack.
 "In conclusion of the disquisition of this subject. I will tender my thanks to those who have followed me through the discussion of this intri- cate question; and, if my efforts shall merit their appreciation I shall feel an1f11V ranaid for all poi T h a ax-e taken, in my search after truth. to prove my contention that Thomas Paine was the real author of the Jun jus letters.
 q beg the reader to remember that Thomas Paine contributed in every way in his power to secure the inde- pendence and liberty which we are now enjoying. Let us forget his few errors and remember his many shining virtues. TO err is human. to forgive is divine
 "In final conclusion. I will add a few original lines, expressing my idea of the perpetuity of his name:
 "No marble shaft. or storied urn. Need mark his resting place
 His works perpetuate his name
 Which time cannot efface"
 Tn view of this discovery Captain' Graves has gracefully made the dedi- cation of his book "as tribute to the Thomas Paine National Historical association,' which has achieved so much toward perpetuating the name of Common Sense" and "The Crisis" pamphlets which were written and published by him just before and dur ing the dark days of the American revolution.
 Captain Graves book is valuable historical addition to literature it is delightfully."- written. showing studious effort and unflinching courage; deep intellectual Knowledge and a high aim to contribute something of real value to his fellow men in a literary way.