The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-11-18
Prom the New York Quarterly.
RaucPoft. tho Historian.

1t is just twenty years since the first volume
of Mr., Bapcrofts great wOrk-the most impOr-
tant production of American literature-was
given to the world. During that period, with
some necessary. though frequent, intervals, he
has been steadily engaged in its composition.
A singular identy pervades the volumes
They show no marks of the lapse Oftime since
their commencement. The first opened new
era in historical writing. 1t displayed the
same breadth and cOmpreaensivcncss oil view.
the same sagacity in determining the force oil
evidence, and the same philosophical reference
of detached events to their seminal principles,
which are such conspicuous features OF the
last. The present volume On the other hand,
is no less distinguished by the fire OF imaSina-
ton, the sympathy with all that Is beautiful
and noble in character and in nature, and the
gorgeous poetical adornments which often fe
licitously contrast with the severe concise
ness of the narrative, than was the carly Fro
ductiOn of the blossomng genius OF the hlsto-
rian. In every portion of his immortal work
are combined the refreshness Of vernal airs.
the glow Of summer, and the harvest ripeness
of autumn.
The success of Mr. Bancroft as a historian
which will gain a still brighter ilustra-
ton with every interval Of lapsing years-has
been founded On q rare union of qualities
Ills intellect is keen and penetrating. lie has,
perhaps equal powers of reflection. and fore
cast. With an impulsive. enthusiastic nature,
he is exceedingly cautious in weighing evidence
drawing conclusions, and deciding on Opin-
ions. Prone to an ardent faith, his mental
alacrity is tempered with q love of skeptical
analysis. Devoted to the search for universal
principles, no details escape his ohscrvant eye.
lie Is at once interpretive, retrospective. and
acutely co2n.zant Of external and present re-
allties. His passion for the subtic>t mctaphys-
ical investigation is no less marked than his
aptnesS for historical inquiries In each CT
these spheres of Intellectual activity he pos
ses~cs the talents Of a master. No less CONVEX
SAINT with the writings of Aristotle. Emmanuel
Kant, and Jonathan Edwards, than with the
documents OF American history. his authority
| Is equally paramount on a question of philoso-
ply, and on any point in the annals of the past.
His systematic understanding oranges the
most confused cluster ofeventS into an inte-
grail and harmonious pcrSpcctiye-showing not
only their isolated features, but their relative
bearngs-and tracing their origin to immuta-
BILE causes in the nature of the individual mind
or in the collective laws of humanity His
| familiarity with the practical course Of states
manship. gives him singular advantage in
the discussion Ct public affairs, however re-
mote their date. or dim their outlines. Al
the same time, his poetical temperament
throws warm and mellow glow around the
march Ofhis narrative. His senses are ALWAYS
alive to the charms of the material universe
and he thus gathers images CT richness and
beauty from the eXhaustless revelations of ma
ture. AT once philosopher. a poet, a states
man, and an aSsiduOus student it il not sur.
prisinS that he has produced a monument OF
genius and toll. which cmbodics the highest at
tributes Of the intellect, and will challenge the
admiration OF ages.