The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 45, July 1941 - April, 1942 Page: 112

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

Boyd's active participation in the work of the Society began
as an undergraduate in 1896 and ended only with his death
more than forty years later. His own papers contributed to the
Society have been among its most significant publications. His
personal stimulation of his students has meant even more. Cer-
tainly the very human portrayal of Bassett and his distinguished
pupil is an important by-product of the record.
The complete account of the organization's activities for half
a century is well worth recording. One must keep in mind that
its membership has always consisted largely of students, a
clientele extremely limited in its early years and constantly
changing. With the development of the small, impoverished
Trinity College into a better-endowed school, and then into Duke
University, its opportunities were greatly enlarged. But the
organization had to compete with others with the common
modern emphasis on extra-curricular activities far from intel-
lectual. The Society has not only survived among these dangers
but is still quite active, having issued this year Number 23 in its
series of Historical Papers.
The book itself affords a fine example of historical method
in its thorough investigation of detailed facts, analysis of evi-
dence on disputed points, use of private correspondence filed
in libraries to establish conclusions, and extremely careful docu-
mentation. Possibly a slight bias is revealed in some expres-
sions regarding President Kilgo and concerning the real service
of The South Atlantic Quarterly, but, generally speaking, few
prejudices appear. The format of the little book is pleasing, its
print clear, and the proof has been read with a conscience.
ROBERT ADGER LAW.
The University of Texas.
Laws and Joint Resolutions of the Last Session of the Con-
federate Congress (November 7, 1864-March 18, 1865),
Together with the Secret Acts of Previous Congresses.
With an Introduction and Bibliographical Note by
Charles W. Ramsdell, Editor.
Durham, N. C.: Duke University Press, 1941. Pp. xxvii, 183.
Illustrations, frontispiece, facsimiles, and index. $2.50.
The late Dr. William K. Boyd of Duke University was both
professor of history and librarian. "It was he who interested
the family of the late George Washington Flowers in building

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