Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-15
VOL. .7-.NO 169,

and when he visited that country TN yesrp Iafer
the honors paid to him by all the cultivated oI.s
ses oi society. FROM the throne downward. werN
such ns are seldom offered to the most Distinguish
ed visitnnt
This is mob thu time nor the place for critical
dsquislton on the merits Of our amented asso cia.
ate, as writer Of history; nor nm prepsred. n.
rived but last evening from an auduous iournev.
h''ed up with engagements which have left me no
moment ct leisure to undertake the tnsk Il would
moreover, be work Of superogation Tho pub
l'c mind has rasscd judgement on his merits, In i
mannsr to ntei no confirmation and 10 fear no
contradiction When in after times the history
Of our Ameria N literature shall be- written Il will
bo told with admiration how, in tho front rank of
school OF contemporary historical writer's flourish.
ing IN the United States, in tho second Quarter of
tne iV'h century, more numerous and not less dis
hnguished thnnt those of any other country a younp
man who was not emily born to ailucnce and az.
posed to oil its scductions, but who seemed forced
into inacton by tho cruel accident of his voutb.
devoted himself to that branch of literary effort
which seem: most to require tho cyesight of the
student, and composed series Of historical works
NOT loss remarkable Tor their beauty of STYLE calm
ply ylosophy, acute dclineation of character. and
sound good sense. No name moro brilliant than
his will descend to posterity the roll Of Ameri-
can authors.
Bat il will not be in this association alone that
ho will be honored in utter times. So long ss in
refined and polished, but in those not vet brou ght
into tho domain OF civilization, the remarkable
epoch which ho has prescribed shall attract tho
attention OF mon, 30 long the consolidation Of
the Spanish monarchy, and the expulsion of the
Moors; tho mighty theme Of tho discovery Of
america; the sorrowfal glories Of Columbus, the
mild'clad forms Of Cortex and pissaro and the
other grim conquistadores, trampling new-found
empires under the hools Of their cavalry shnll be
SUBJECTS OF literary interests 30 long ~ the blood
shall cnrdlc at the wars of Alva, and the fierce
struggles ot the Moslem in tho East, 40 long will
the writings OF our friend be read With respect
to some OF them tinc in all human probability,
can add nothing to his materials. It was said the
other day. by our respected associate President
sparks competent authority, that no historian
ancient or modern. exceeded Mr.. Prescott In tho
depth aud accuracy Of his researches. lie has
driven his nrtcslan criticism through vretched
modern compilations, tho trashy exaggerntons Of
intervening commentators, down to The original
cotcmporary witnesses and tho sparkling waters
OF truth have gushcd up from the living rock In
tho details OF this narrative, farther light may be
obtained from sources not yot accessible. Tho
trsl letter OF cortez may be brought to light-ths
hicroglyphcs of Palenouo may be deciphered
hut the history of the 5 ianish empire during the
period for which hc has treated, will be read by
posteriy for general information, not In the All
cient Spanish authors, not in black letter chroni-
clos. hut in the volumes of Prescott.
Finally, sir. among tho masters of historical
writing, the few great names ofancent and mod
ern rcnown in this department, our lamented
friend aud associate has passed to place among
the most honored and distinguished. Whenever
."r orahch ~ poito literature shall be treated OF
by some future Bacon, aud thc6 names of those
sha n bo r,n., ,ol ,yho h,. ,,o.a....l 4: A. I.I
~. Il. WV ~" INV Possos'eu III the h'Rh-
prort,. "' ~, ,n ,''' ~' oy w'ch thc traces Oh
rlo,.J "an, ,,'a Ea;"' Iva, VI ,"a"Hna are eA-
sected hy the keen edge of truth-and guilty kings
"md a. ,.,sr ns 1"' ~ 'ne oar oi ousuce'
n"th~ns ' "r ,!,, VI you poih'eu OUT along Inc
,.;,h ,i,. ,,, ., ..s 'a'ne s WIN pe monmoned
aaI ,h i' c """' I'o' i ol nreecs ana OF rome
''t ,hn .;,,. ", ,c ~ o nou'r" languages staho
o"s NJ Wv ''a'a ,'., :, s"1" ,"'"e.
.;tho,, e" si:.'n "a our uear aepsrIeo iriena
~",'nou' ~ ,''oi'oo',"H '"o ihnrn'ty uhder which no
,,J,;,L p,n,;ro,,a l., H.; a.. - ~ - ~
"'''o '"''''"''' III ms cast, upplNd the solemn
lifo art enjoved Il endowmcnts balanced by sor-