Blasts From the Past

Did you miss some of the great stories we published in years past? Try these.

The Boer War by Arthur Conan Doyle, James F.J. Archibald, and J. Castell Hopkins

In more than one respect the war in South Africa was a surprise to the world. It was surprising to see two little republics present a defiant ultimatum to a great empire. It was surprising with what skill and deadly effect the few fought against the many. It was surprising to see some of the British colonies, which were supposed to be most nearly independent, eagerly raising volunteer regiments to aid the mother country. It was surprising that regular armies led by experienced generals met with so many serious reverses and the war was so prolonged. It was surprising that the causes and motive of the struggle were so little under stood in the United States, whose people are a nation of readers. Aside from its political significance, the combat was interesting as one of the most unique and picturesque that ever were waged, and for its complete history the pencil of the artist is needed as well as the pen of the writer.
The three selections address three different parts of the war.

The New Japan by Yoshitami Sannomiya, Tokiwo Yokio, and Ito Hirobumi

Everybody knows the story of the transformation to the New Japan in the last part of the nineteenth century so far as it relates to her rapid adoption of the industrial ideas and processes of the Western World. But we are by no means so familiar with the changes by which her government — a monarchy supported by a feudal system — was made constitutional, conforming closely to European models. As usual, this cost a struggle, with frequent rise and fall of cabinets, and a step backward for every two steps forward. But a foreign war seldom fails to unite any people in support of their government, and this was the case when war arose between Japan and China in 1894, and still more markedly, if possible, in the struggle with Russia. We have here, from Japanese authors, an account of Japan’s progress toward constitutionalism. The turn to militarism by violence and murder occurred decades later.

The First Airplanes by Charles F. Horne, Samuel Langley, and Alexander Graham Bell

Before the Wright Brothers’ famous flight pioneers developed the technology to “conquer the air”. Horne (one of the authors) wrote, “When future generations, looking back upon ours, attempt to set a date for the actual “Conquest of the Air,” the first demonstrated proof that the many problems were solved, and that man could not only rise in the air as does a balloon, but could also guide his course at will athwart the winds, probably the date selected will be that here given, 1S96. In that year Professor Langley, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution at Washington, after a long series of scientifically conducted experiments, established the practical principles which underlie the construction of our present “heavier-than-air ” flying-machines; and he built a model which, while too small to carry a man, made repeated flights sustaining and balancing itself aloft by its own power.”
This series tells the story of the earliest pioneers of the air up to the Wrights’ final breakthrough.

South Secedes from the United States by Jefferson Davis, John Hay , John Nicolay, and Abraham Lincoln

How did the United States first split apart? The story of the secession of the southern states is here told by personages who were central to it. Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederacy. John Hay and John Nicolay were beside Lincoln during the campaign, accompanied him to Washington and formed his inner staff during the war. We conclude this series with Lincoln himself — first inaugural address.

Here is the complete list of stories we have published.