The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-22

historian Judge Prescott was very fortunate man;
he knew that his father had won lasting fame az
soldier, and he saw that ms own character as law
happiness to live to hear the literary world, the old
as well as the new acknowledge the excellence Of
his only surviving son as writer OF history There
was something more than the autumnai ielcity OF
which Gibbon speaksin Judge Prescott latter days.
Mr. Prescott the historian, first appeared before the
public at the close Of 1897, when his History
Of Ferdinand and Isabella " was published. Six
years later he gave 10 the world his history OF the
Conquest Of Mexico" and in lS47 his last work the
!, History of the Conquest Of Peru" An octave
volume containing some of his miscellaneous wri-
tngs. contributions to the North american Rerteir,
&c. was issued some years since. On all these works
the appreciation OF the literary and mere reading
world has been deeply stamped in America and Eu-
rope. They are popular with general readers, and
at the same time are valued by critical scholars.
Each OF them has gone through many editions, and
it is well known that the author draws an ample
nual revenue from their sale-a gratifying fact, not
only as showing that desert is sometimes attended
to in this worlds judgments, but also because it will
encourage other of talent to engage in literary
pursuits Mr. Prescott is now said to be engaged on
History of the Life and Reign of Philip the Sc
cond," perhaps the noblest theme that a writer of
modern history could select, for the life of Philip
two years and the history oil the fortythree years Of
his reign must be history of the WORLD Christian,
Mahomedan, and p agan-of France, of England Of
Germany, of Italy, of Holland of Ireland and Scot
land Of Turkey, Of Hungary of as Spain and the
Indies" 1t must treat of the final destruction
of Spanish freedom, of the exhaustion of Span
ish energies, of the reaction against the Re-
formation ofthe rise and deveopement Of the national
marine and maritime power of England of the Wars
of the League of the establishment of the Jcsuits,
Of the decline of Italy of the rise of Holland of the
conquest of Portugal, of the extension of Spanish
rule in the Orient and the Occident of the Siege Of
Malta and of Lepanto and the Armada. Surely
here materials enough to give opportunities for
artist like Mr.. Prescott to draw a series Of mag
nificent historical pictures: No doubt is entertain
ed Of his doing justice to his subject, though it is
not known when the work will be given to the world.
have dwelt somewhat extensively on the history
Of the Prescott family, because it shows how
neous is the common saying that in New England
families do not endure. Here is one family, at least,
that has existed in almost the land for six gene
rat0ns and whose founder we can trace back to his
English abode. Without engaging in any money
making pursuit, unless that of the law be so con
sdered, the Prescotts, in the direct line, though
generally through younger sons, have always been
wealthy; and always furnishing military, political
and judicial officers, though without any hereditary
privileges Their position for two centuries has been
the result of their own works solely. Could heredi-
tary honors always show good basis the world
would not seriously object to them
| may here remark speaking Of New England
families, that in no part of the republic are u be
found people better qualified to speak understanding
ly of their ancestors than many New Englanders.
Many are the families in Massachusetts, who arc lv-
ing on lands that have been held in the same name
and blood for more than two hundred years. You
find the most common names in the old towns are
those OF the first settlers, and illustrating every var
ETY. Of fortune Instead of desire to leave the soil
being common New England sentiment the exact
reverse is the case and men frequently endure almost
to abandon what have been the homes of themselves
and their ancestors for six generations. Few, Of
course can arrive at distinction. but some do, and
maintain it. The Prescotts are at the head of these,
and, at considerable interval, come the Winthrops,
whose fame is mainly political. 1.-THE advantages
which the family Of Prescotts possessed in wealth,
talents corporal and Intellectual says the historian
of Groton and Pepperell, "aided by education, and
their connection with the most respectable families,
by their numerous intermarrlages, gave them con.
trolling influence in the moral, social, and municipal
affairs Of the town. HENCE, better regulations, and
more refined state of morals and manners in former
times in Groton Sand in PePpereD than in most
would seem to have exercised some such influence
was welded in Peru by the children of the Sun.
whose character and arts one of that family has de-
scribed so well.
The Prescott mansion is beautifully situated in the
northern part of Pepperell, farm OF upwards OF
two hundred acres, which is held and cultivated " on
shares by Mr.. Henshaw fine specimen of the best
class of New England agriculturists The house is
very old, portions of it, presume being older than
the town where 1t stands, and which was formerly
part of Groton. Everything about it, except the oc
cupants seems old fashioned; much Of the furniture
Is CeIhluy OlQ, anu WAS useu lar UdCh III Tue ldSL
century. The chairs arc stir as iron ramrods and
have most uncomfortable appearance. | have
theory that much Of the restlessness OF fathers
was caused by the form of their chairs, which made
1t penance to sit down. Rocking chairs, had they
been introduced into America in 1856, would have
them a nation. Mr.. Prescott whose chief
place Of residence is Boston, passes the summer
books in the house. but there are but few in it beside
those which belong to the Henshaw family. saw
an old edition Of SCOTS novels, Miss Sedgwicks
Clarence" few volumes of the British Essayists,
and some other works Of a similar character. Mr..
Prescott brings his books with him from the city.
The room where he writes Is at the back part OF the
house, and cannot be accused of luxurious arrange
ment. In this room hangs one OF Colonel Prescott's
swords-a short and slightly curved blade. That
which he wore at Bunker Hill is crossed on the walls
OF his grandson's library in Boston, with that Of
Captain Linzee, who, on the same day, commanded
the English sloop Falcon, which took part in the
cannonade OF the American works Mr.. Prescott's
wife is the granddaughter of Captain Linzee
There are numerous trees about the Prescott man.
sion, principally the oak and the elm But tree
that was on the place when the house was erected
care Of, and which probably was in its morn Of life
when Columbus was seeking the evening land. The
place must be very favorable to study; and toward
the close Of summer day, amid d !.
BY trees and lingering twilight. made
should think that even dull man might get up
respectable pretensions to inspiration But that the
trees were az yet leafless, J should hiye sought
some revelations from the past through their muir
murings-but Twas consoled by the recollection that
the art once 50 well understood at Dodonce, had
persisted long ago.
The grave Of Colonel Prescott is in the old church
yard OF the town. and hard ythe oldest church There
IS nothing but plain stone tablet over it, with an
inscription, setting forth the day Of his death and of
his BIRTH in terms dry and brief any that occur on
the least noted Of the moss grown slabs that are
scattered so thickly around; not word that would
lead the stranger to suppose that this grave is the
last resting place Of one Of the chief OF our counrys
heroes. Ii is scandal that the rich State OF Mas
sachusetts should have so neglected his memory.
Two or three attempts have been unsuccessfully
made in our Legislature, to have monument erected
here in honor Of Colonel Prescott Perhaps another
attempt may prove more fortunate The wife OF
Colonel Prescott who survived him more than
twenysiy years sleeps by his side, and has the same
monumental honors as her husband.
cannot close my letter without expressing my
obligations to Hon. c. w Believes one of the select
men of Peppcrell and formerly member Of the
Massachusetts, Senate, for many attentions shown me
NH