"The strange blending of pathos and diplomacy on pages 91 and 92 may be said to be amusingly expressive. Chapter 13 is intensely interesting, dramatic and romantic; still I see no reason that I should speak of these isolated passages, for the whole book is equally interesting, and would foreshadow for it a large sale in the North if properly handled. As to the mechanical construction of the book, I am much pleased with your language, as it is free from Carlylism and ostentatious English, which mars so much of the writings of many of our modern authors. I hold that when a book is overloaded with this disgusting use of the dictionary it is what Goldsmith terms 'display of book learned skill.'
"The book was kindly sent me by a lady friend in Atlanta, Mrs. Delbridge, and I hope when I visit Atlanta again I may have the pleasure of meeting the authoress that nature has endowed with such wonderful power of description."
Published in _The Atlanta Constitution_ January 5th, 1896.
is the title of one of the best series of sketches that has been written about the 'late unpleasantness.' It contains the record of one woman's experience during the five years of warfare between the North and the South. The author, Miss Mary A. H. Gay, of Decatur, Georgia, one of the most graceful writers in the South, has handled the subject in a masterful manner. 'Truth is stranger than fiction,' and the work abounds in truth. The volume ought to be on sale at every news-stand in the South. The book has been described as containing 'a living picture of those trying times--not to stir up bitter feelings and hatred, but a history, and such history as cannot be obtained in any other form.' Miss Gay was in the thick of the strife, 'and in a modest way shows herself a heroine worthy of any romance.' Her pen describes scenes that bring tears for the pain and suffering, and laughter at the 'makeshifts' resorted to by those noble people in the hour of actual need. 'Some parts of the narrative may be judged as rather bitter towards the enemy by those who know not the horrors of that war. But let such critics put themselves in the wake of Sherman's army and suffer as the writer, and they will feel more charitable towards her who, in recalling those experiences, finds it hard to love all her enemies. There is only a touch of this old-time bitterness, however; most of the book is simply historic, and Miss Gay does not hesitate to record many kindnesses received at the hands of Federal officers.' Such a valuable contribution to the history of the war should be prized. It is a vivid chronicle, and the rising generation should learn of those stirring events. They will read with unflagging interest to the end of the narrative. We wish for it a wide circulation."--_The Arkansas Gazette_, March 10th, 1896.