New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-18
New'Dork daily Gribmme,
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF HI
DRETH, THE HISTORIAN

Richard Hidreth was born June %, 1907, in the old
town of Deerfed, Mass. His father was the rev. no
sea Hildreth, prominent Congregational clergyman,
who was the last Old-sch0o divine OF lautudlna1an
views TO ion the Unitarian from the Calyinlstic
Church of New-England. In his profession ne always
stood in high esteem for ability public spirit and ac-
five beneyoence. During Richards fourth year, his
father removed with his family to Exeter, N H., the
seat of Phillips Exeter Academy where the son was
fitted for college. ooc
Here he proved himself a successful student oil the
prescribed coune without, however entlrely con-
timing himself to IT, Beside his extensive readings IN
History, Political Economy and Ethics, he became
familiar with the whole body of Greek and Latin
authors in their original languages Embracing the
pursut of Law he entered the Office at Newbury
mort Mass.l of Theophilus ParsOns-now Dane Pro-
lessor in the Law School of Cambrldge-where ms re-
markabe power of close and long continued applIca-
ton excited tie establishment of all who knew HIM
In 1897, during Mr. Hildretbs residence at New
buryport his literary life took its commencement, IN
a series of articles contributed to magazine then
lately started in Boston, by Mrs. Sarah Jane Hale
Not long after, he became contributor TO WINS
Boston Magazine-the first editorial experiment OF
that popular writer-and still subsequently to Joseph
T. Buckingham's Netc-Engfdnd Magazine. Many
of these miscellaneous compositions are worthy Of re-
publication in collected form.
In July 1889, while practcing the legal profession
in Boston, he induced to accept the post OF edllor
of The Boston AAds-the exponent or organ OF kufus
Choate Caleb Cushing, and other nslng pohtlcians;
who were then associated together FOR seVerai
vears MIR. Hildreths connection with the new paper
gave il decided prominence among tne pohtlcai
journals of New England. series of aby-written
articles from his pen published IN 1897 relative 10 he
design of certain influential in the South west OF
procuripg the separation Of Texas from the Mexican
Government prior to any general suspicion oil II,
powerfully contributed to excite the strenuous oppo-
sition which was afterward manifested in different
parts of the Union. to the annexation OF Texas.
Ill health in the Autumn OF 1884 compelled hr.
Hdreth TO seek residence on a plantation at the
south. where be lived fer about year and half.
Willie thus soourning his story Of - Archy Moore,
the forerunner of Antl-Slavery novels, wes written
This work which appeared in 1887, was republished
in ENGLAND where il received an elaborate review in
The Spectator as well in other literary periodicals.
In $50 II was given to the public in enlarged iorm
under the title of "The White Slave" ltpurpors TO
be tie autobiography of Virginia slave, the son OF
his owner whose Angl0-Sa1on superiority Oh inteAece
and spirit IL inherited by him.
The period of the story is during the war Of 1912
with Great Britain After passing through the vlcs-
STUDIES of his sere lot in the household on the panta-
ton and Oh the auction block, Archy, the hero,
with others of his condition, is taken on board yes
sci for a more Southern port But IN the passage
the shin is captured by the enemy who at once noer
ale Il en- He then becomes British sailor, IN when
capacity he rises to Distinction and settles Id Eu
gland where he finally attans the position OIL an opu
lent merchant.
The narrative as continued subsequently 10 lne INST
publication. proceeds TO represent Arcny returning
ahort the wear 1895 TO his native land, wnere after
comnl;cated series of adventures his savewife and
,wo children whom he had left in Slavery, are re-
stored 10 him and are thence carried to his foreign
home. -.
Such is brief outline Of this Notwithstanding
fiction. The intense vvidness and air Of reality per-
ysdipg sorue of its episodes have led many readers to
sunpose il a vertable autobiography. One hardly
fsi In ts perusa 70 be reminded OF the novels Of