$500. Of princely liberality, Mr. Corcoran is at the same time judicious in his donations, and it adds to the pleasure of this gift to receive it as a token of his continued interest in the work we are doing and his confidence in the management of our affairs.
Book Notices.
The Narrative of a Blockade-Runner, by Capt. J. Wilkinson, C. S. Navy. New York: Sheldon & Co.
We had the privilege of reading this book in the MS. of its gallant author, and have read it again with the liveliest interest in the handsome form in which Sheldon & Co. have brought it out.
The first three chapters of the book contain an exceedingly interesting narrative of the secession of Virginia, naval service on the Potomac and on the lower Mississippi, and of the events which preceded the fall of New Orleans.
In his fourth chapter he gives an account of his prison experience, discusses somewhat the "prison question," and does us the honor to quote the summing up of the discussion of this question in our Papers.
The remaining chapters of the book tell the thrilling story of his adventures as a blockade-runner, and give incidents of deep interest and great historic value.
Captain Wilkinson made twenty-one successful trips in the "Lee," and then commanded most successfully the "Whisper," the "Chickamauga," and the "Chameleon."
The narrative is admirably written, and, although the modesty of the author keeps himself in the background, it is easy to see that Capt. Wilkinson was one of the most gallant and skilful of that noble body of old naval officers who gave up lucrative and pleasant places in the United States service and cheerfully sacrificed their all for the cause of constitutional freedom.
He has produced a book of rare interest, which should have a place in every library and be widely read by our people.
It is sufficient to say of the general get-up of the book that it is in the best style of those masters of the art of book-making, Sheldon & Co., New York.
Four Years with General Lee, by Colonel Walter H. Taylor, of his staff, is a book which must have the widest circulation, and go down to posterity as of highest authority on the points of which it treats.
