This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 edition. Excerpt: ... mind. We simply desire to give a faithful narrative of habits, and manners, and certain phases of social life now virtually blotted out. Theodore had his father's handsome presence, who possessed more dignity and reserve of manner than his splendid looking, jovial brother. Their respective types were continued in their sons. Theodore had inherited studious tastes, and he was a scholarly man. He never made himself as acceptable in social circles as his uncle had done, but he soon acquired a firmer hold upon the public mind. He became more influential and very soon was considered as a leading man in the community, not only on account of his vase wealth, but because he had the intellect, capacity, and will power to rule. He did not try to subvert or to revolutionize the peculiar institutions around him, and although he never approved of slavery, yet he accepted a position which he had not sought, but which was rather forced upon him, in a broad and liberal spirit. He was conservative., and worked steadily toward the amelioration of all that could be ameliorated. His plantations, in course of time, became like model farms, a school of instruction to other planters. He introduced a more humane and thoughtful management of his people than had hitherto prevailed, and elevated the condition of his dependents as far as the stringent and repressive laws then in force permitted. While his mother, who lived rather a retired life, was so assiduous in well-doing that she was welcomed as the good angel of the poor. ******** A year had passed, a year of the busy life in the South of a man who tried to live like a Christian gentleman, and who did not forget that the wealth placed in his hands was only a trust for the good of others. Meantime no duty had...