Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-02-25

Il
the Second contains an account of the abdi-
cation and last days of his father and pre-
decessor, Charles the Fifth. The secreta-
ry gathered round him every volume, print
ed or MSS. which contained anything about
the last named monarch. The books are
in the English. French, Spanish, Italian and
Latin languages. One by one they were
read aloud, and copious notes were dictated
When everything that related to Charles
the Fifth had thus been perused and noted
the Historian began to compose his work
or, more properly speaking, to write it
for the process Of composition had of course
been going on in his mind during the pre-
paratory labors.
The apparatus used by Mr.. Prescott con-
sisted of frame the size of a common
sheet of letter paper, with the brass wires
/ inserted to correspond with the number of
| lines marked. Thin carbonated paper was
| used, and instead of pen the writer en-
ployed stylus with an agate point. The
great difficulty in the way of persons
writing in the ordinary manner, whose vis-
ion is impaired, arises from not knowing
when the ink is exhausted, and moreover
the lines viii be run into one another.
Both difficulties are obviated by the simple
arrangement just described. The pages
thus written by Mr. Prescott were copied
by tie secretary and read, that such inter-
lineations, alterations and amendments
might be made as were needed. The ma
terials for the second chapter, on the early
life of Philip, were then taken up. and the
same process repeated, until the volume is
ready for the printer About six years
were devoted to the first two volumes of
Philip the Second, including the prepara-
tory studies. These volumes appeared in
1855, the third of the series was issued
within few weeks, and it is understood that
the fourth is considerably advanced.
The Hon. George Bancroft, in an elo-
quent tribute to his friend, before the New
York Historical Society, thus referred to
the studious and systematic habits of Mr..
Prescott: His habits were methodicalIy
exact; retiring early and ever at the same
hour, he rose early, alike in winter and in
summer, at the appointed moment, reused
himself instantly, though in the soundest
sleep, at the first note of his alarm-bell,
never giving indulgence to lassitude or de-
lay. To the hours which he gave to his
pursuits he adhered as scrupulously as pos
sible, never lightly suffering them to be
interfcred with now listening to his read
er; now debating what was to be written
now using his own eyes >paringly for read
ing; now writing by the aid of simple ma
chinery, devised for these who are in dark
ness; now passing time in thoughtfuly re-
volving his great theme.
The excellence of his productions is,
in part transparent TO every reader. Com
pare what he has written with the most of
what others have left on the same subjects,
and Prescotts superiority beams upon you
from the contrast. The easy flow of his
language, and the faultless lucidity OF his
STYLE may make the reader forget the un-
renting toll which the narrative has cost
but the critical inquirer sees everywhere
the fruit of investigation rigidly pursued,
and the impartiality and soundness Of judg-
ment, which give authority to every state.
ment, and weight to every conclusion"
Mr.. Prescott's library was adorned with
striking portraits of Ferdinand and Isabel
la--of Columbus-of Don Sebastian, King
of Portugal-and of most of the charac-
tiers that figure in his histories. He pos
sessed original letter, of Ferdinand, Isabel
la and Charles v, and piece of lace from
the shroud of Cortes. The historian did
not usually write in his library, but in
small room over it, made very light TO meet
the wants Of one whose sight was imper-
feet. When fully prepared TO write, Mr.
Prescott's daily task would average about
seUen pages of one of hi printed volumes.
Most persons, with perfect vision, would
complain if they were daily compelled to
copy seven pages from those charming
books.
The thirteen volumes which comprise
Mr.. Prescott's works are noble monuments
to his life of labor and study. With
knowledge of the facts concerning their
preparation, as above given, who will not
say all honor to the memory of the man
whose patient toll, careful training, rare
scholarship, and heroic devotion, produced
the Histories Of Ferdinand and Isabella,
the Conquests of Mexico and Peru, and
the Reign of Philip the Second