Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-02-11

The HISTORIAN PREscorT. lamentcd
death of Mr.. Prescott, the historian, has
been the occasion of many addresses of great
interest before Historical Societies and other
Associations, assembled to do honor to his
memory. The address of Hon. George Ban
croft, the historian, before the New York
Historical Society was emincntly noticeable.
An extract from it gives the following ac-
count of some Of Mr.. Prcscott's methodcal
and laborious habits
" His habits were methodcally exact re-
tiring early and ever at the same hour. he
rose early alike in Winter and in Summer at
the appol1tcd moment, rousing himself in
stantly, though in the soundcst sleep, at the
first note of his alarm bell; never giving
indulgence to lassitude or delay To the
hours which he gave to his pursuits he ad-
hered as rorapulously as possible. never light
ly suffering them to DO interlercd with. now
listening to his reader; now debating what
was to be written; now using his own ewes
sparingy Tor reading, now writing by the
aid of simple machinery devised for those who
are in darkness now passing his time in
thoughtiully revolving his great theme
- For tins reason, at the period Of his life
when he rode much on horse-b -back-and he
was an excellent and fearless rider-it was
his choice and his habit to go out alone; and
in his stated exercise on foot you ght be
sure that, when by himself, his mind was
shaping out work for the rest of the day. In
this way, systematic in his mode of life, he
proceeded onward and still onward, till the
eyes of the world were turned with admira-
ton the genial scholar, who withlplacid calm
ness, courageously trampled appalling diff
culties under foot and gained the first place
as the historic instructor Of mankind
The following on his character and person.
al address is also very interesting.
''In the writings of Prescott his individual
character is never thrust on the attention of
his readers; but, as should ever bo the case in
a true work of art,i appears only in glimpse
or rs an abstraction from the whole.
Yet his personality is the source of the charm
of his style, and all who knew him will say,
he was himself greater and better than his
writing. While his histories prove him to
have felt that he owed his time to the service
of mankind, everything about him marked
him out to be the most beloved of cpmpan-
ions, and the life and joy and pride Of socie-
ty,
His personal appearance itself was singu-
larly pleasing, and won for him everywhere
in advance welcome and favor. His counte-
nance had something that brought to mind
"the beautiful disdain" that hovers on that
of the Apollo, But, while he was high
spirited, he was tender and gentle and
humane His voice was like music, and one
could never hear enough of 1t. His cheer
fulness reached and animated all about him,
lie could indulge in playfulness, and could
also speak earnestly and profoundly, but he
knew not how to be ungracious
or pedantic. In truth, tine charms of his
conversation were unequaled, he so united
the rich stores Of memory with the ease Of
one who is familiar with the world,
In his friendships he was most faithful
true to them always; true To the last never
allowing his confidence to be so much AS ruff
fled by the noisy clamors of calumny, or by
rivalry, or by dfferencies of opinion. In the
management of his affairs he was prudent
and consderatc; in his expenditures liberal
to all about him, and to those in want, ever
largely generous, having an open hand, but
doing good without observation. Ills alice
tions rested early and happily On the congo
NAL object ot his choice, and the rosy liSht'
of his youth, never dimmed By cloud wen'
with him all his way through life"
1t is rumored-but we don't believe it
that Mr.. Bonner of New York Ledger has en-
gagged Mr.. Cobb-not Sylvanus, of course, -
at fabulous price, to write an essay upon
carrying on government without
means, and upon the political interpretation
of the divine injunction to take no thought
of the morrow. 1t is further rumorod that
the liberal compensation which Mr., Bonner
always makes for liberal novelties will, in
this case, be applied to the relief of some of
the more needy Of the oredtors of the govern
ment, None of it will be appropriated for
the purchase OF Cuba. Prop. Journal