The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 59, July 1955 - April, 1956 Page: 146

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

he rode, he made forty miles a day; when he walked, he made
ten. The report was current that the course he took, and whether
he rode or walked, could be traced out the next year by the half-
blood babies that were spaced either forty or ten miles apart."
Houston lacked one of the fundamental characteristics of great-
ness, the ability to differ with an individual about political affairs
without resentment. Could a really great man harbor in his heart
such venom and hatred, such revengeful spirit as did Houston to
his death? Many, so very many, of his speeches, and letters chosen
by the editors breathe a spirit of hate and are so often completely
vituperative in nature. One of Houston's pet hates was President
Lamar. So great was this hate and so often expressed that the
editors seemed to have succumbed somewhat to it as they seldom
miss a chance to cast reflections upon him. Houston, in 1843,
wrote about a certain Billy Jack, a Congressman, that "you know
he wished to keep an eye on the President when the 'purse' was
to be handled. This is all as it should be with Billy. You know he
has a fondness for money-honest-aye honest-very honest, no
doubt! But then he should allow other people to be as honest as
he supposes himself to be." The editors then note that "This
same sort of thinker seldom has any doubt about turning over
money to men like President Lamar." Such insinuations about con-
troversial things occur all too frequently and with no proof or
evidence. The editors were perhaps overawed by the ranting of
their autobiographee.
This is a book which everyone will read with delight. Those
who are admirers of Houston will read it avidly and with glee;
those who are not his admirers will wish to read it a second time
hoping to find some consolation in what they may have missed
the first time. It is recommended as a definite contribution to
Texana lovers.
CLAUDE ELLIOTT
Southwest Texas State College
P. G. T. Beauregard: Napoleon In Gray. By T. Harry Williams.
Baton Rouge (Louisiana State University Press), 1954. Pp.
xiii+345. Illustrations, maps, and bibliography. $4.75.
Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, embodying the aristocratic
Creole tradition from which he emerged and nursing a Napoleonic

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