The Dixie Book of Days by Matthew Page Andrews

Thus, while the very nature of the South lends itself to sentiment and romance, her history is yet to be written. This peculiar diffidence is a relic of the past and at the present time, one need but review the list of leading American novelists to find that a remarkably large proportion have come from the South and write on Southern themes.

They sang from time to time because to them singing itself is so sweet.

These and many others like them never seriously considered revising or publishing their work. John Laurens composed a sonnet as he lay dying of wounds and fever incurred in defence of his country and Stuart, in a later struggle, wrote verses while engaged in riding around McClellan’s army. Yet he was one of the occasional poets of the old régime. There were, however, many gifted writers who regarded production in prose and verse as a pleasant recreation rather than an end, or as an accomplishment common to cultured minds, to be called forth as occasion offered, or when some emotion prompted expression.īy way of illustration, William Henry Timrod may be regarded as potentially a greater poet than his better-known son. Generally speaking, the genius of literary production in the Old South did not aspire to an outlet in the field of professional endeavor. The reader is not offered stacks of straw to thresh over on the contrary, it has been the aim of the compiler, in a most congenial and delightful task, to afford others easy access to grain that he has already garnered. This volume of brief selections from a wide range of Southern expression in prose and verse leads into fields of American history and literature which, perhaps, are not well known to the general public. Putnam’s Sons Charles Scribner’s Sons Southern Historical Publication Society Alfred M. Harper & Brothers Houghton, Mifflin & Co. He desires especially to express his appreciation of the courtesy of the following firms: D. In the preparation of this volume of quotations illustrative of the history and literature of the South, the editor wishes to acknowledge the kindness of publishers in granting permission to make selections. Matthew Page Andrews The Dixie Book of Daysĭecember The Dixie Book of Days MATTHEW PAGE ANDREWS PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON J.

The Dixie Book of Days by Matthew Page Andrews