Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-01
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER FEBR
Death of Prescott. the Historian.

VIM. III. Prescott the historian, died. las
was stated in Yesterdays Gazette of para
lysis at his residence in Boston, on Friday
last, in the Goth year of his age Few men
have done more for the literary fame Of their
country, and his works will long live as ne
MORALS of his industry and ability, which
the physical difficulties under which he la
bored have rendered the more remarkable
He died in the prime Of life with all his IA
culties about him in the midst of unfinished
labors and loving friends. The death ofsuch
q man is something more than national
loss. it is loss to humanity.
Mr.. Prescott belonged to Il highly respecta-
bic New England family. His grandfather,
Col. VIM. Prescott, was in command of the
American forces at Bunker Hill, and his
father, VIM. Prescott, long occupied Il high
judicial station. The Historian was born at
Salem, Mass, entered Harvard College at
fifteen, and graduated with honor. He was
intended for the law, but previous to leaving
college, he lost the sight of one eye by an ac-
cdental blow, the other from over exertiOn
began To fail, and AT the threshold of life he
found himself nearly blind. In hopes that a
cure might be effected, his father whose
means were ample, sent him to Europe, where
he spent two years under the care of the best
occulists, but without any satisfactory result.
He never fully recovered the use of his eyes.
On his return. he determined to be a hiSto-
rian,-a strange decision in view Of his ply
steal defect But he knew what was rcqul-
site to become one. lie had doubtless, also,
proud consciousness Of his powers to up
hold him, in the pursuit to qualify himself
for which he gave himself up To ten years
course of reading. He then selected sub
iect-The History of Ferdinand and Isabella
which, after having been ten years engaged
upon, he gave to the public. 1t was pub
lishcd simultaneously at Boston and London,
and at once established his reputation. If
fruit was long ripening, it was perfect when
produced. The work was read with unu-
sual admiration, and by common acclaim
placed at once among the classics OF our
language Five years later his second
work, the Conquest Of Mexico, appeared.
This was succeeded by the Conquest OF Peru.
He also produced some miscellaneous works.
Since 1850 he has been engaged on history
Of Philip the Second. of which the first three
volumes have been published. This work
will unfortunately remain uncompleted by
the hand which designed it, The fame of
this American historian was won by no
artifce, and can sustain no reversal
The extent Of his researches, the fidelity
of his selections, his perspicacity and skill
full arrangement, his candid treatment of
his subject and the beauty OF his style
have been universally acknowledged
Prcscott's four great histories are an en-
during monument of his name. They
are not surpassed for fidelity lmpartlalty,
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES and clcarncss and elegance
of st Vie They are. and always will be elias
sizes which America ever may be proud that
one Of her SONS contributed 10 the stores Of
American literature. The individual char
acter of Mr.. Prescott was somewhat mdicat-
ed in his writings. He was nOat man Of
society but was possessed of a genial, manly
heart, pure, unbemishcd and honorable
character. His honors and distinctions never
impaired the modc,ty and simplicity OF his
character. and perhaps no man so eminent
was less the subject of envy, detractlon. or
ill will Long will he he mourned by those
who knew and ever will he be h"n"rcd 10y
those who can appreciate genius and Its
Works--BdH. american.