NOTES AND QUERIES.
At the request of many of our readers, this new Department is initiated. Please address all queries and answers simply,—Editor of the Bay State Monthly, 43 Milk St., Boston.
1.—In one of the old Readers, I find a selection, not credited to any author, and beginning as follows:—"Born, sir, in a land of liberty; having early learned its value; having engaged in a perilous conflict to defend it; having, in a word, devoted the best years of my life to secure its permanent establishment in my country, my anxious recollections, my sympathetic feelings, and my best wishes are irresistibly excited, whensoever in any country, I see an oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom." Will some one of your readers inform me who was the author of these words, and what was the occasion for their utterance?—W.T.D.
2.—Sullivan, in his Familiar Letters, states (p. 26) that: "General Washington is well known to have expressed his heartfelt satisfaction that the important State of Massachusetts had acceded to the Union. There is much secret history as to the efforts made to procure the rejection (of the constitution) on the one side, and the adoption on the other." Where can I find the fullest account of this "secret history?"—STUDENT.
3.—Who was the first American woman to publicly espouse the cause of Anti-Slavery? I have lately seen several names mentioned?—M.S.
4.—"Where can I find the best account of the Know-Nothings, that figured in American politics some years ago?"
5.—The late Epes Sargent, in one of his sketches, says:—
"Semmes took a pinch of snuff, and replied,—'You remember Mrs. Glasse's well-known receipt for cooking a hare—First catch your hare!'"—Who was Mrs Glasse?—LATIN SCHOOL.
6.—Where can I find a full account of the history of the Indian tribes of early Massachusetts? The various State Histories say but little about them.—ANTIQUARY.
7.—Has the life of Robert Rantoul Jr. ever been written? If so, by whom?—H.A.D.
8.—Most of our States have one capital; some have two—Providence and Newport, in Rhode Island for instance. Why two?
9.—In Chandler Robbins' "History of the Second Church," under date of Oct. 7. 1762, occurs the following: "Voted that the singers sound the base at the end of the lines whenever they think proper." What is the explanation of this custom?
10.—Bartlett does not give this: "To fleet the time carelessly, as they did in the golden world." Where is it to be found?—ELHEGOS.
"Undoubtedly the most remarkable series of articles ever published in a magazine, and their popularity is in, accord with their merit."—Brooklyn Eagle.
Of the numbers of The Century from November, 1884 to April 1885, six issues, more than a million and a quarter copies have already been published.
THE WAR PAPERS
IN
THE CENTURY MAGAZINE.
With the number for November, 1884, the first issue of a new volume, there began to appear in this magazine a series of separate papers, the object of which is to tell in clear and graphic manner the stories of the great battles of the War for the Union; the authors being leading officers on both the Federal and Confederate sides, often the first in command, and always a participant in the engagement under consideration. The extraordinary increase in the circulation of the magazine since these papers were begun, and the reception by the public and the press of the material already printed, indicate the wide-spread popular interest in the plan.
THE NOVEMBER CENTURY
contains the paper by General G.T. Beauregard, of the Confederate army, describing "The Battle of Bull Run," with more than twenty illustrations, including portraits of McDowell, Johnston, "Stonewall" Jackson, and others. General Beauregard not only describes the battle, but touches upon his relations with Mr. Jefferson Davis, and the general conduct of the war.
THE DECEMBER CENTURY
contains the graphic description of "The Capture of Fort Donelson," by General Lew Wallace, with portraits of Buckner, Floyd, Pillow, and others among the illustrations, and a frontispiece portrait of General Grant, from a little-known photograph; also an autographic reproduction of General Grant's famous "Unconditional Surrender" letter, written to the Confederate commander at Fort Donelson.
THE JANUARY CENTURY
contains an illustrated article by Rear-Admiral Walke, describing the "Operations of the Western Flotilla," including engagements at Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Pillow, Fort Donelson, Memphis, and Island No. 10. Captain James B. Eads (who built the gun-boats) contributes to the same number a paper on "Recollections of Foote and the Gun-boats."
New readers of The Century desiring to secure these three numbers, November, December, and January, and thus begin the War Series and Mr. Howells's new novel, "The Rise of Silas Lapham," can obtain them for $1.00 of the publishers (who will send them to any address, post-paid, on receipt of price), or of dealers everywhere. New editions will be printed as rapidly as the demand requires. November is now in its sixth edition.
THE FEBRUARY CENTURY,
the Midwinter number, contains a remarkable list of attractions, including a richly illustrated paper on "Winter Sports in Canada," an illustrated story by Mark Twain, entitled "Royalty on the Mississippi," etc., etc. In this issue appears
THE FIRST OF GENERAL GRANT'S ARTICLES
in the war series, being his long-looked-for paper on "The Battle of Shiloh." For reasons which he recounts in the opening of the article, general Grant never made to the Government the usual full report touching this engagement. The paper is a comprehensive treatment of his relations to the battle, including much of picturesque and personal interest concerning its progress and a discussion of the main points of controversy, together with his own estimates of the military character and services of certain of the leading officers in both the Union and Confederate sides.
THE CONFEDERATE SIDE AT "SHILOH"
will be described in this February number in two interesting articles, one by the son of the Confederate leader, General Albert Sidney Johnston, killed at Shiloh, and the other by Colonel Jordan, of general Beauregard's staff. These, with General Grant's article, are among the most notable contributions ever made to magazine literature. The illustrations are more than twenty-five in number.
FURTHER PAPERS BY GENERAL GRANT.
In his second paper General Grant will cover an entire year of his service in the war, including the different campaigns against Vicksburg, and its capitulation. In his third paper he will deal with the battle of Chattanooga, including the strategy of the campaign from the time of his assumption of the command. A fourth paper, on the Wilderness campaign, will follow.
While largely engaged with the main features of the campaigns described, General Grant has not failed to take note of significant and characteristic details. These papers will be illustrated with the same regard for thoroughness and accuracy which has characterized the illustrations of the articles in the war series already published.
THE "MONITOR" AND "MERRIMAC,"
IN
THE MARCH CENTURY.
The story of this famous fight is described in the March Century by Col. John Taylor Wood, fourth officer of the "Merrimac" in the second day's fight, and now the senior surviving officer. Col. Wood was afterward commander of the privateer "Tallahassee." The Federal side of the battle is told by Commander S.D. Greene, U.S.N. (whose death has just occurred), who was the executive officer of the "Monitor," and operated the guns within the turret. General R.E. Colston, commander of the Confederate forces opposite Newport News, contributes an eyewitness's account of the same battle, describing, also, the "Merrimac's" engagement with the Federal fleet before the arrival of the "Monitor." A paper will soon appear on
"THE MONITOR," BY CAPTAIN JOHN ERICSSON,
making record of the circumstances attending the invention of that famous craft, and treating also of the engagement at Hampton Roads. Readers of the articles in the March number will be especially interested in the inventor's story.
In the April Century will be printed two important papers on
THE CAPTURE OF NEW ORLEANS,
BY
ADMIRAL PORTER AND GEORGE W. CABLE.
Admiral Porter, with whom, as he relates, the expedition against New Orleans originated, and who was in command of the mortar-fleet during the action, describes the Federal side of "The Opening of the Lower Mississippi"; while George W. Cable, the novelist, and at the time a resident of New Orleans, writes of the condition of the city and the circumstances attending its occupation. The illustrations will include a number of battle-scenes from sketches made by Admiral Porter.
In the May and June numbers the papers in the War Series will be largely devoted to
THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN
BY
GEN. G.B. McCLELLAN AND GEN. J.E. JOHNSTON.
General McClellan will contribute two papers, the first of a general nature on the Peninsular Campaign, and the second (to appear later) on the battle of Antietam, thus covering the period of his command of the Army of the Potomac. General Joseph E. Johnston, who commanded the entire Confederate forces opposed to McClellan in the Peninsular engagements until the battle of Seven Pines, when in consequence of a wound he was succeeded by General Lee, will cover, in his papers, the period from Manassas to Seven Pines, dealing with both battles, and with his relations and differences with the President of the Confederacy. The engagements at Gaines's Mill and Malvern Hill, in this campaign, will be described in papers by
GEN. FITZ JOHN PORTER AND GEN. D.H. HILL,
who were prominently engaged against each other in both actions. These will be well supplemented by the "Recollections of a Private."
OTHER WAR PAPERS
by Generals Longstreet, Pope, Gordon, Rosecrans, Buell, Hunt, Pleasonton, Newton, and other prominent leaders, will appear in later numbers.
THE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SERIES
will receive the most careful attention, and in this particular it is thought that the series will possess an unequaled historical interest. The Century has at its disposal a very large quantity of maps and plans, portraits of general officers of both sides, authentic paintings and drawings, and especially photographs of camp scenes, battle-fields, famous localities, etc. A strict regard for accuracy will guide the preparation of the illustrations.
In connection with this series is appearing a number of briefer sketches, entitled
"RECOLLECTIONS OF A PRIVATE,"
reflecting with interesting and life-like details the experiences of the common soldier from the time of enlistment to the muster-out: the drill, the march, the bivouac, the skirmish, the charge, the pursuit, the retreat, etc., etc. Auxiliary branches of the service will also be treated in this supplementary way, and in several instances briefer supplementary papers will chronicle special incidents or consider special phases of an engagement. Personal reminiscences of several of the most prominent military leaders, now dead, will also give variety to the scheme.
OTHER FEATURES OF "THE CENTURY"
include W.D. Howells's new novel of an American business man, "The Rise of Silas Lapham"; a novel, by Henry James, "The Bostonians," begun in the February number; a series of papers, by W.D. Howells, descriptive of some cities of Italy, illustrated with reproductions of etchings, by Joseph Pennell; a series of brilliantly illustrated articles on "The New Astronomy" (a paper in this series appears in the March number); articles on "The New North-west," on Architecture, History, French and American Art, etc., etc., and short stories by the best writers—many of them to be illustrated. The War Series will not be allowed to interfere in any way with the general features of the magazine.
SUBSCRIPTIONS may begin at any time, but in order to get the first chapters of Mr. W.D. Howells's novel, "The Rise of Silas Lapham," and to commence the War Series, new subscribers should date from the November number. The subscription price of The Century is $4.00 a year, and single numbers can be purchased of book-sellers and news-dealers everywhere at 35 cents each. All dealers receive subscriptions, or remittance may be made direct to the publishers by postal or express order, registered letter, bank check, or draft.
THE CENTURY CO. 33 East 17th Street, New-York.
The Century is beyond question the first among magazines in the English language. The people of the South owe it especial thanks not only for the fairness of its spirit toward this section, but because it opened its pages to many of our best writers and made them known to the world.—THE APPEAL, MEMPHIS, TENN.
The time has now come when this portion of our national history can be discussed by the actors in it, whether they wore the blue or the gray, and different versions can be judged without partiality.—ARGUS, ALBANY, N.Y.
The great captains on both sides will make this series the most notable historic contribution of the day.—CONSTITUTION, ATLANTA, GA.
Every soldier should be a subscriber to The Century for the coming year.—COURIER-GAZETTE, ROCKLAND, MAINE.
In securing these articles from the leading generals of the great struggle, The Century did the best piece of journalistic work that has been done in this country for many a year.—THE CHRISTIAN UNION, N.Y.
The wounds and passions of the late war are rapidly healing, but it will never lose its interest to the students of history. These articles cannot fail to be of great interest to all careful readers both North and South.—PRESS, PARAGOULD, ARK.
A series of important papers, the like of which has never before been attempted, and which possess the peculiar quality of interesting every person in the land.—THE BEACON, BOSTON, MASS.
What a vast work for good in these several ways is the great magazine-publishing house of The Century Co. doing; what an uplift is it giving to good taste, good morals, good politics, and good manners, as well as to the dissemination of useful knowledge, to the culture of "the masses," to the comfort and peace and pleasure of home, to the welfare of society in general! No engine of the things that are true and pure and good is more mighty than a work like this; we ought all to be thankful that it is in such hands. Making money, of course, The Century Co. are; we are glad of it; but they are also making hearts happier, lives better, and homes brighter the world over.—THE LITERARY WORLD, BOSTON, MASS.
The Century Co. are among the benefactors of the human race. It is not too much to say that while "The Century" stands at the head of current magazine literature, in "St. Nicholas" we have the best serial publication for boys and girls the present generation has seen.—THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, ENGLAND.