 
Wearing of the Gray: Comprising personal portraits, scenes and adventures of the late war, with thrilling narratives of daring deeds, dashing charges, toilsome marches, willing sacrifices and patient sufferings of the “Boys in Gray.” Interspersed with stirring incidents of life in camp and hospital, and many important events hallowed by association with the gallant dead. By John Esten Cooke, formerly of General Stuart’s staff, and author of “Surry of Eagle’s Nest,” “Life of Stonewall Jackson,” etc., etc. Illustrated. Octavo, 601 pp., $2.75. New York: E. B. Treat. The highest praise which we can give this work, perhaps, is to say that the above, which forms the elaborate title page, falls far short of giving a full summary of those qualities which go to make the book more than highly prized by all, both North and South, who reverently hold in memory the deeds of “Grand Heroes.” The author presents a graphic and picturesque view of some of the most striking scenes, adventures and personages of the “late unpleasantness,” with anecdotes and details, concerning them. His position on Gen. Stuart’s staff gave him the opportunity of seeing the men and witnessing the scenes of which he writes. Invention has absolutely nothing to do with the sketches; the writer having recorded his recollections, and not his fancies. This volume is a welcome addition to the war literature. Such books ought to be found in every Southern home, that the memory of ’60–’65 may be preserved for all time. Wit, Wisdom and Beauties of Shakespeare.—Edited by Clarence Stuart Ward. Boston and New York. Houghton, Mifflin and Company. 188 pp. 1887. The editor of this volume recognizing the fact that few at the present day have the leisure or interest to know Shakespeare thoroughly, has provided a means for increasing the general knowledge of that author by arranging, in a manner which admits of easy reference, those passages of wit and humor which must ever amuse and delight the mind; those of wisdom and philosophy from which the profoundest significance of action and habit in life may be deduced; and those of incomparable beauty which have become the absolute and fixed expression, never to be changed or displaced in our language, of the ideas they represent. This compilation, therefore, contains all the passages in Shakespeare, long or short, which are of special significance, or of inherent excellency, all those which a speaker or writer might employ to lend grace or vigor to his theme. While the make-up of this little volume reflects honor upon its editor, it certainly does honor to the publishers who have exercised no little care and taste in giving the work its very commendable appearance. In number 341 of The Edinburgh Review, there is an article on the Franco-Russian Alliance, by Prince Nicolai Nicolajewitch Galizyn—a letter to The Figaro—upon the doctrines of Kathow, the late celebrated diplomatist and politician of Russia. The author begins by tracing the history of diplomatic relations between France and Russia from the time of Peter The Great to the present. Russia, in prosecuting her scheme of obtaining the Bosphorus, must have an ally in the West of Europe. France is situated so as best to fulfil that part, but France will derive nothing by helping Russia fight her wars; and, besides, the attitude of Germany toward Russia is most peaceful. From these main facts, the author thinks that a war of Russia’s precipitation would be far too rash for her present weak military and financial affairs. British statesmen who know the inner aspect of things are acting wisely in their policy of not preparing for war. One cannot read the article in question without feeling that the present newspaper scare is entirely without foundation. Amusements and The Christian Life in the Primitive Church and in Our Day. By Rev. L. C. Vass. Philadelphia, Presbyterian Board of Publication, pp. 91. This little book, both on account of the spiritual benefit to be derived from it, and the interesting glimpses of primitive church history contained in it, is well worth reading. The author, an eloquent divine of Newbern, N. C., has divided his subject into two parts—Popular Amusements and Primitive Christians, and Lawful Christian Amusements. He shows the effect of amusements on the spiritual life of the Christian in a very clear and easy style made attractive by examples from authentic history. The type is large and leaded and the volume, taken as a whole, is creditable to the printer as well as to the author. Those interested in the history of our State will be glad to know that a valuable book, giving the history of the counties of North Carolina, by Hon. Kemp. P. Battle, LL. D., together with an introduction and date of the erection of those counties, etc., by Prof. W. A. Blair, is now in press. The work is the result of long labor among our official records, and the names of its editors are sufficient guarantee of its reliability. This is more valuable material for the man who is to write a history of North Carolina which shall endure as a literary monument. William A. Blair, Winston, N. C., is the publisher. With a clear idea as to what is best in literature and art, the February number of Harper’s Magazine issues, in most excellent form, quite a number of articles which are both interesting and instructive to every one of literary taste. |
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