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About Weekly constitutionalist. (Augusta, Ga.) 185?-1877 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 1866)
THE CONSTITUTIONALIST OUR LITERARY COLUMIT CHAPTER IV. Slipper, “ Frederick the Great” Beatrice, “Life of Robertson,” £e. While seated the other day in our dusty town sanctum, which may boast of a colony of tame spiders, and, likewise, a little assemblage of mice and cockroaches, not quite so far advanced towards sociability and civilization, we were alarmed by a sudden onslaught against the door, and the entrance, stumbling and sputter ing, of a sbocksheaded youth with a pile of books under his arm! We recognized the crea ture at once. 3is name was Klipper, famil iarly abbreviated into Klip I Whence he orig jnally came, and what are his precise age and antecedents, must ever, probably, remain in mysterious darkness. From his size, one would suppose that Klip was a boy, from his insinua ting dexterity of manner, a person of mature years. 5 All the booksellers of Augusta know him well, and—to take his account of the matter— consult him constantly upon the number and character of the works wherewith they desire to tempt the public mind. Klip’s education is peculiar. He has perused tlie fly leaves and the critical notices of so many novels, tales, poems, essays, Ac., that a species of hallucination has taken possession of his soul, to tho effect that universal literature has been mastered by him ; wherefore, he holds himself ready to answer all questions, whether in belle lettres or philosophy, which it may pleas3 anybody to ask him. A peripatetic book-vend or, in the capacity of general agent, his chubby form may be seen at almost all hours, adorning our thoroughfares, and his face, with a comic droop of the left eyelid, and a still more comic elevation of the right, peers bet ween the dresses of fashionable ladies, or grins funnily significant over the counters of retail dealers of every de scription from the Bell-tower to the Market! On the special morning to which we have re. ferred, Klip was in more than his usual glory. He had bought at cost price from Mr. Schrei ner six handsome volumes,four upon the same terms from Mr. Richards, eight from Mr. Oates, and a bushel full of papers and magazines from Quinn & Brothers, the majority of which be had been able to dispose of with a clear gain of fifty per cent, at least! It was no wonder that Klip looked radiant. His hair, of the brightest red, bristled with delight 1 His eyes twinkled with a sort of vicious humor! As for his manner, it was compounded (as generally happened to be the case) of familiarity and reticence, of an impudent opZom6 as regarded his hearer, and a 'modest reserve of power in reference to his own merits. “Here, sir t” said Klip, trying to e!e» vate his drooping left eyelid dogmatically, “ here (with the respects of Jno. 0. Schreiner A Sons) are the two last volumes of ‘The History of Friedrics the Second,’ by that great gun, Thomas Carlyle; and here, from Richards A Cos., is a n<jvel called ‘Beatrice,’ by that charming and popular author, Miss Kavanagb ; and Mr. Oates, he sends you ‘ Life and Letters of the Rev. Frederick Robertson,’ a different kind of Fred from tbe old fellow Carlyle writes about— and, let us see 1 I’ve got from Quinn’s tbe latest numbers of ‘the Atlantic’ and ‘Harper’s Month ly 1’ So, Editor 1 you are well set up; make a good notice of ’em all—or, by Christopher Co lumbus, you needn’t expect to see me again !”■ Whereupon, the rascal, dodging a cork ink stand we hurled at his head, tumbled inconti nently down stairs. We have given the books which Klip left with us an attentive perusal. The sth and 6th volumes complete Carlyle’s laborious “History.” It is a work of immense research, and,of course, is philosophical and profound in spirit. But the style is abomniable, and the narrative so diffuse,that we have actually a volume and a half given to his heroe’s ‘Apprenticeship,’ hundreds of pages to the singular literary connection be tween Yoltaire and Frederick; the consequence of which is, that the history proper does not begin until one is deep in the 3d volume I Then, however, Carlyle comes out in his full strength. The circumstances of the seizure of Silesia, and the events of the “Seven Years War,” are told with tbe peculiar pithiness and dramatic fervor which were so conspicuously displayed in the author’s “French Revolution,” making that work a -series rather Os brilliant individual pictures than a truly harmonious, consistent and logical whole. And thus it is with Carlyle’s last and most ambitious effort I(t displays a magnificent genius for details, and for scenic grouping, but the genius is spasmodic, and if we may so express ourselves, [‘self-contradictory. The truth is, that our author’s writing generally may be compared to an African Desert, which would be intolerable, were it not for those beautiful and verdant oases, rising with their “leafiness of groves,’’ and sweet song of foun tains, amid the otherwise weary desolation. Os his “Frederick,” the conclusion of the 6th volume will doubtless be considered the most graphic and satisfactory portion. The state of Prussia, after the revolution which resulted in her freedom, reminds us, as described by the Kmg himself, only too mourn fully of our own prostrated and forlorn condi tion. “Countries," he says, “entirely ravaged ; the very traces of the old habitations hardly discoverable; towns—some ruined from top to bottom, others, half destroyed. No field in seed, no grain for tbe food of the inhabitants ! Half a million of population less than before the war! 'No credit! no police Ino justice! - A vile greed of gain prevailing, and an anarchic disorder.” In iris discussion of that famous or infamous act, (as the reader chooses,) the partition of Poland, Mr. Carlyle remarks : “This parti tion was an event inevitable in Polish History', an operation of Almighty Providence, and of the eternal laws of Nature.” And further on, he asserts that “Frederick had nothing special to do with it; and -m the way of originating or causing it, nothing whatever !” A declaration which we hike to be the most coolly audacious, ever ventured upon, even by Mr. Carlyle. Upon the whole, we must acknowledge, how ever, that that the “History of Frederick” is a remarkable book—one that will live. Its merit lies in splendor of description, and a graphic reproductic nos the past, in vivid char acterization, and also, a wealth of original material, worked np occasionally with con summate skill, and possessing, in any case, an inherent and distinct value. In consideration of all this, let the reader try to endnre Mr. Carlyle’s style. True! it is, as we ventured to bint, curiously bad: beiDg to our taste, affect ed, pedantic, strained, and utterly un-Eoglish. Os all the writers who have gained a perma nent reputation in recent times, Mr. Carlyle is the most conspicnonsly disloyal to the genius of his mother tongue. Bat his endowments are so great, we can even forgive this capital literary sin. “ Beatrice” is a tale, which, like all of Miss Kavanagh’s works, shows ‘a delicate metaphy sical insight into character, a subdued and somewhat mournful’philosophy of life, and the purest artistic conscientiousness in the devel opment of plot, and the higher requisitions of dramatic situation. 1 ‘Beatrice’’ is a melo-drama. Like our actual existences, the events flow alternately in sunshine and shade, but, in a general sense, the story terminates pleasantly, as we feel disposed to think, most stories of the kind should terminate. We have enough of sorrow in real,every-day er ould, if possible, soothe nd charm. The announcement of “The Life and Letters of the Rev. Frederick Robertson” will delight a large circle of read* rs who are likewise— thinkers. His “Sermons,” the ablest, and profoundest productions since the era of South, Barrow, and Bishop Hooker, were eagerly studied by thousands. So fresh, original, ex alted in view and feeling were they, so abound ing in loftiest expositions of the mysteries of faith and the grandeur of the “Written Word,” so startling almost in their practical availabili ty, no less than their ideal worth, that the public could not fiil to experience anew and reverential sentiment in favor of the pulpit and its powers. And now, we have a complete record oF the “Life” of the man who thus moved and thrill" ed us. It is, in many respect a model biography. Mr. Brooke, its author, deals with his subject in an impartial manner, yet with a fine, pervading enthusiasm, which carries] the readar along with him irresistibly 1 And what a life it was I Self-deDying, calm, Doble, without bitterness, or sectarian preju dice, holding clearly in view tho grand central idea ofDuty, the career of this wise Teacher, this faithful soldier of the Gross, illustrates tbe noblest phase of human character, the possible moral elevation to which consistency of Belief and harmonious rectitude of Action may uplift the spirit, whose only idolatry is tbe idolatry of Righteousness, whose only God is the perfect Christ, divested of earthly forms, and radiant in the grandeur of divinest purity. Indeed, the life of Robertson was like the written records of his faith and philosophy, a beautiful, a sublime existence, realizing that fine comparison which TeDnyaon gives us in “The Princess.” “Perfect music set to noble words 1” The January numbers of the “Atlantic” and “Harper’s Monthly,” are about as clever as usual. In the former our readers will find tho beginning of anew Tale by Charles Read, en titled “Griffith Gaunt,” or “Jealousy.” It opens with great spirit. We have never read a more graphic description of an English fox hunt than that contained in the third chapter. Cost or Coton Goods. —We learn from the Richmond Examiner, that in a few weeks there will be an active movement to get Con gress to increase the duties on certain foreign imports. This vOill be done on the ground of protection, and not of increase of revenue.— There may be manufactures' that need some additional legislation, but a brief examination of tbe dividend list of a large number of New England companies will satisfy any' reader that the mills which are making cotton goods are not of that class. The dividends referred co range from twenty per cent, to one hundred and twenty per cent., and embrace cotton goods from spool cotton to the finest prints-. Women who work with the needle or sewing machine will learn from this exhibit that the reason why their Spool cotton is so ‘cosily is not so much because of the high price of cotton or of gold, but because those companies must make large dividdnds for tbeir stockholders. The Examiner has the authority of the Econ* cmist for tbe statement that the present cost of making a “Sprague” print calico is seven teen cents a yard ; but the price at the mill is twenty-seven cents a yard. It is bard to sab how it is that manufacturers paying profits like these need any further protection. Ad ditional duties will only bring additional cost to the consumer, and all for the profit of the companies already dividing such large profits to their stockholders. ]sestruciive Fire in Nashville.— Three buildings on the public square, Nashville, were consumed Tuesday morniDg, involving a loss of $200,000 worth of property. The following are the names of the parties who occupied the buildings: Cooke, Moores & Cos.; R. S. Page; Furman & Cos. ; Adams, Gibson & Cos. The property belonged to Alexander Fall, R. S. Page and Mr. McGarick, and was partially in sured. Governor Hamilton, of Texas, has made a proclamation, restoring, so far as he has the power, all persona recommended by him for special pardon to their full civil rights in the State. Washington Letter. Washington, Jan. 6th. The main feature in the opening of the House after its holiday recess yesterday, was the de livery of a speech by one of Ohio’s most ex treme Radicals; whilst the President’s annual message was being discussed in committee of the whole, in which that disciple of Jacobinism proved himself thoroughly a man after the heart of old Thad Stevens and bis degenerate crew, by demanding other and new guarantees as the price of Southern representation in Con gress. Tbe Radicalshave setjth on selves in solid array boldly against the policy of the Presi dent, and all tbe disposition in the world to keep the breach quiet will not avail. The President has been hopeing, and hasexpress?d himself anxious to continue in good will and accordance with Congress so that no issue should be made; but he early saw that such was a perfect impossibility. The views of Andrew Johnson and his strong party with respect to the status of the Southern States are as different as it is possible to be with those of tbe Stevenß-Sumner party. New England theories are getting very considerably below par value just now, and the Puritan principles of Boston no longer dictate the policy to be pursued. There is a very significant calm be fore a political st:rm which will occur before the young year is advanced many days ; n its life. The radicals are incensed at the quiet obstinacy of tne President ; but they are de termined, since they have been home and found their constituents in the New England States all of one accord with them, they will hold fast to the dogmas they entertain relative to political affairs of the present. The adjourn" ment, and the consequent exodus of a large number of Congressmen to their homes, where they found the people following their lead as a flock of geese generally will follow each other, has contributed about as much to hasten the row \ hich will transpire, very probably next week, as any other circumstance. IN THE SENATE. Yesterday morning, though the session was very short, Mr. Sumner appeared with all the self complacency of yore, armed with an array of documents most formidable in their ap pearance. To guess what they were was to solve the rarest riddle in the world, and any one who thought aDy thing about it knew that the colored race had entrusted to the honor es their chief advocate a multitude of memorials asking that their freedom be secured to thorn ; that they be allowed tho right of suffrage and that various other considerations in their favor be made immediately manifest. There will be a vast amount of legislation bn the negro during the present session, and the bills and petitions filed away on that account will not suffer for lack of attention. THE EARLY ADMISSION of the Tennessee delegates is earnestly desired by the President, and it is hoped that the priv ilege of their seats will be given them during the next week ; but that will not be done with out discussion. The measure is one that is par ticularly interesting to the President, inasmuch as he considers himself a representative of the State of Tennessee, and the longer delay on the part of Congress the more certainty is there of confusion in tbe camp. The repeal, or, at least, a great modification of the test oath, and tbe substitution of one having reference to future considerations only, which is receiving great favor not only from the President, and at least one sound member of the Cabinet, but from many prominent men in the Republican ranks, it is thought will be accomplished ere the close of the session. The chances of this con summation will undoubtedly be bettered when the two different parties in Congress are ar* raigned in opposition to each other in good earnest, which most assuredly will oocur during the present month. THE CASE of the War Department’s Chief Deteeeive, who has won such an unenviable notoriety during the war, and who is charged with false impris onment and robbery, in h ving arrested with out warrant a certain Mrs. Cobb, who has figured here as a pardon brokeress, of much beauty, and consequent influence at the White House, comes up for trial in the Criminal Court of this District on Monday next, and will be one of very great interest as it is one of much im portance. It is rumored to day that the detec tive has bought off the individuals who are to appear against him, as he dreads disclosures which would be made in the course of a trial, but there is so much involved in tbe case that it is very improbable that the officers who have it in charge would permit tbe parties to absent themselves at this lute day. THE PRESENT MONTH will be a very important one in Congress, and when tbe committees commence to report, there will be many new.phases of interest presented. At present there is very little going on, the season during the recess was more dull than it generally is during the interval between the adjournment of Congress and. its meeting in December. IN A MISCELLANEOUS 4 way there is not much going on. The citizens are petitioning the President for the removal of Sayles J. Bowen, the city postmaster, who has got himself in very bad repute by his bold stand in favor of negro suffrage, and by a per sistent villification by tbe {citizens who voted against this pet-bobby. That he will eventual, ly removed is not doubted. The President will not permit the opponents of his policy and principles to continue in their enjoyment of official patronage. Everything is not in right working order just yet; but the day is not far distant for some important changes. Mrs. Clement C. Clay has returned from For tress Monroe to Washington, and bad another interview with the President. She is indefati gable in her efforts to re ieve her husband from imprisonment. A drunken man tried the other day to get a policeman to arrest his own-shadow, on the plea that the ill-looking fellow kept following him everywhere he went. Th A Wab Imminent. _W*»rdiD gtS d the text of important die patch<8 nt J r ”3* x %ashington a day or two ago. The yesterday bring more detailed aocounts of the President’s communication to Congress, from which it appears that the Ad ministratioa is determined that Maximilian’s Empire must come to an end, and the Mexican people be left free to govern themselves. Na poleon is left to choose between the alterna tives of war and peace. He must withdraw his troops from Mexico or become Involved in war with the United States. The language of Mr. Sexard to the American Minister at Paris is very plain on this point, and admits of but one construction, and that is tfiat Napoleon must cease to meddle in Mexican affairs. Bat this, even if acceded to by France, will not suffice. Mr. Seward says that the United States will not recognise Maximilian even in that event. Hence it is plain that the purpose of the Washington government is to force Maximilian from Mexico. That ultimatnm has gone forth, and the temper of the present Congr© onstituted as t > sustain it.— Napoleon, as is well known, is a little mulish sometimes, and if he takes it into his stubborn head ft pull in ft contrary direction, there will be a lit le pass at arms between Uncle Sam on thq one side and the Mexican Empire, Franoe and Austria on the other. “Thesituation,” as we used to say in the good old Confederate times, is not so serene and peaceful as it might be. The times look ominous of war, and un less there is a back down on one side or the other, the decks will soon be cleared for action. Napolpenal it in his power at one time we wot of to seat Maximilian firmly on the Mexi can thrme, but he neglected tbe golden oppor tunity, and lost an empire by bis policy of “neutrality. The interesting' disclosures to which we refer will be found elsewhere. Capt. Semmks. —Judge Hnghes, one of the counsel for Capt. Semmes, has made applied tion to the Secretary of the Navy to have the day fixed for the trial of tbe accused. The Secretary of the Navy declined making an or der of the character requested, on the ground that it is at the present time impracticable to make the detail of officers to constitute the court, there not being a sufficient number of the proper grade now unemployed. The coun sel engaged for Semmes are Messrs. Hughes, Denver and Peck, of Washington, and Pen dleton Colston, Esq,, of Boston. Semmes has not yet been removed to the Old Capitol, but is confined in the Navy Tard, in a room ad joining the chapel. Tbe room is in the second s'ory of tho building, and is very comfortably furnished with bed, sofa and table, and it Is also carpeted. The marines at the yard are charged with his custody. A sentry is con stantly on duty at the door of the room, while outside the building, under the windows of the room, another sentry is stationed. No one is allowed to Bpeak or hold intercourse with him. except one gentleman, who holds a pass from the Navy Department, understood to be hts counsel. He spends most of his time in reading, having brought with him some of his favorite books. His meals are brought from the restaurant near by, and paid for by the government. Under the circumstances, he is quite cheerful, but seems to be anxious that the trial shall take place speedily. The Cotton Bupply.— lt is stated (hat Sec retary McCulloch will probably revise his estimate of the cotton coming forward the cur rent year, and place it in the vicinity of 2.000, 000 bales, instead of 1:300,000. Tbe members of tbe Internal Revenue Commission also con cur in this estimate. It is urged by prominent officers connected with the financial department of the government that amendment to the Con stitution is not at all necessary to secure a large revenue from cotton. They urge that an excise tax of ten cents per pound be levied on all cotton raised ; whether for domestic use or export. This will obviate the necessity for an amendment to th© Constitulio'., which even tually might operate unfavorably, to sav noth ing oflhe good policy of letting that instru ment stand without amendment, except when imperatively demanded for the good of the nation. ‘ Prize Money. —The sum paid to Roar Admi ral Lee amounts to a little less than SIOO,OOO, while other rear admirals have been paid from $38,000 to $60,000, and one captain on the list has deceived the handsome sum of $34 518. The pay of navy officers Is less than that of army officers, but the former bare one decidod pecuniary advantage over the latter in the dis tribution of prize money. Tbe amount ot prize money that has been al ready paid amounts to about nine million and a half, and it is estimated that about five mil lion and a balf remain unpaid. This is only one moiety of the proceeds of captures, the other, going to the government. Great as this sum is it bears no very great proportion to the wjole property captured, because tbe costs of prose cution in the prize courts are greater than in any other kind of litigation. The Widow of Stonewall Jackson.—Yes terday, several gentlemen placed sums of money in the hands of Mr. P. B. Wills, of this office, a Virginian and life-long friend of the distinguished general, to be forwarded to tbe homeless widow. We would fain hope that Memphis will contribute a sum for the purpose of relieving the wants of Mrs. Jackson com mensurate with the famed liberality of our peo ple. At the close of the month a list of con tributors to the fund will be published. [Memphis Bulletin, Jan. 5. General Lbz.—lt has been generally sup poaed that an application for pardon by Gen eral Lee was made some months ago, but an examination of the records of the Attorney General’,/* office proves that no such application has yet been filed. General Lee signed fbe mneity oath prior to entering upon the duties of President of the Washington College. Written for tbe Constitutionalist. Unattainable. I never held her hand in pine, N*r whispered one sweet dream ; Yet Hope, with flush of mocking wine, Deludes me with its gleam. Her red lips wear the tender grace ®f smiles, so sweet and bright, They fling a halo round her faee Half tears and half de'ight. I see her as she walks at eve Among her garden bowers, Her form so bright seems to reooive Its spirit from the flowers. And when she stops to plnck a rose From off its airy stem, Her radiant blashes can disclose No fitter type for them. Sinoe I may not aspire so high As e'en with look to greet, Oh I zephyrs, waft my heart’s fond sigh In homage to her feet. L'lnoonnce. Irregularity in the Southern Mail Ser vice.—The Washington correspondent of the New York Herald, writing on the 6th. com plains of the irregularity of the Southern mails, and says that there seems to be a careless or intentional want of regularity ahout tbe delivery of mails going South. Complaints are constant* ly being forwarded to th& Postmaster General that mail matter fails to reach its destination regularly or undamaged. Newspapers espe* daily are not looked after with proper atten tion in their transmission. Several of the news paper establishments of Washington have re ferred the complaints of their subscribers in the above regard to tho Post Office Department, and especially, which to-day lost one hun dred names from its subscription book of par ties living in Petersburg, Va., has preferred charges of gross neglect upon many of the Southern mail carriers. The Postmaster Gen eral has beoome so impressed with the belief that the carrier system is not working properly and reliably, that he tas ordered a thorough investigation to be made, and will promptly discharge all officer* or agents who may be found to slight or neglect the business of their reppectivo routes. The Winning Nao.—The Nashville Repub lics Banner expre ses the opinion that the new party, which must arise out of tbe pecu liar situation of the country and group itself around the standard of the Administration, will be composed for the most part of men who did the fighting on both sides pf the llne-of battle, to the exclusion of the mere theorists and talkers, who marred the plots respectively of the government and the Confederacy. From the Nashville Union and American. Honor the “Ftirled Banner.” “Christmasl” says the merry ohimes, and the streets are filled with the shouts and re joicings of the revelers. But I sit in the glow of the firelight and muse, and the sounds of mirth fall all aadly on my ears as I think of the “ times of w«r.” ’Tis not meet that we should cast shadows over the remaining joy of the present, but somehow I have no Christmas, heart to night, for shadowy phantoms of buried hopes are rising, and I cannot see the light of living sunshine. O, tbe past, the past, with its never dymg memories ! How it rises in rebuking mournfnl noss, coming oft ’midst our hours of gaiety in the regretful heart throb, while pale, marred farms arise and chase away our smiles to pitet ous sighs. We may for a giddy hour forget them, but tbe silent night will bring back tbeir brave dying faces and the “ furled banner " drooping o’er them. Aspirations for the future we must ernah .* resignation we must learn ; loyalty to our gov ernment Is a duty ; but oh I not to forget the lead—not to tear from their martyr graves the guerdon of grateful memory, and coldly turn aside and with Pharisaical voice exclaim “Thev were wrong; our ruin be upon tbeir heads!” Ah I I see wasted forms in thp comfortless, cheerless gloom of prison walls, numbering the dreary hours from day to day, ’till months, ah 1 years creep on, and as the moments drag their weary weight along, gaunt famine stalks through those horrible homes of misery ; and yet I see the proud indignant blood rising to tbe wasted cheek when the offer is made of lib erty at the price of dishonor. Look at the pic ture and say if there be aught in this deserving the scorn of countrymen? Look again on the narrow cots in the priso ner’s hospital; forms covered with terrible wounds, burned, scorched with hungry fever, denied all that makes sickness endurable, yet here we find the patient strength of endurance, the determined unswerving faith of purpose, never by word or deed to forsake tbe cause for which they suffer. E’en when grappling with the king of terrors in the last hours of physical suffering, bear tbe faint voice cry, ‘ 'God save my country 1” Ah !by the memory of such scenes, by all that is godlike in the creature made “little lower than tbe angels,” erase the dastardly words that would cast oblivion, (could the Immortal die) on the great in tbe history of tbeir martyrdom; the murmuring* because of the failure of a cause for which, God knows they gave all they bad, a life. Can the honorable, of our-conquerors, es teem In us such craven lies ? And ye who have fought side by side with those that have fallen, who have shared the piercing cold, the famishing hunger, the more tal fatigue of the fainting footsore marches, and who have stood by them when tbe frame was shattered by the cruel ball, how can you feel that there is no void made by their absence in tbe heart of a nation. The last surgings of the tide of mighty war have scarce died away, and can ya whose blood leaped so wildly, proudly, when victories were won, so soon forget those who gave their livee so willingly to gain them ? Even foeman have admiration and reverence for the brave who nobly fought for their principle of riyAt; and although in theory this is granted by all. yet the harried eagerness evinced by many, to prove (falsely) their utter want of sympathy wi h their countrymen, their abuse of the “wrong measures” oftbeir Southern brethren, simply Signifies tbe wish to blot out all that remains of holy truth and beauty in tbe last cause; truth because of the honest earn? or and belief of its justice. Can we not suffer the ' South to crumble intoa “dignified ruin” with out striving to tear from her the clinging re* mains of the laurels her heroes died to be queath her? Letnot the world point in de rision at oar baseness ; let ns be loyal to our remainiop int rests, but oh I never teeK to sally the brightest images of the raft. ,
