Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-03-11

hausted, and moreover the lines will be
run into one another. Roth difficulties
are obviated by the simple arrangement
Just described. The pages thus written
by Mr.. Prescott were copied by the Sec
retary, and read, that such interlinea.
tons, alterations and amendments might
be made, as were needed. The materials
for the second chapter, on the early life
of Philip. were next taken up, and the
same process repeated, until the volume
is ready for the printer. About six
years were devoted to the first two vol
umes of Philip the Second, including
the preparatory studies. These volumes
appeared in 1855, the third of the series
was issued within few weeks, and it is
understood that the fourth is considera
bly, advanced.
The Hon. George Bancroft, in an elo.
quent tribute to his friend, before the
New York Historical Society, thus re.
ferred to the studious and systematic
habits of Mr.. Prescott His habit.
were methodically exact; retiring early
and ever in the same hour, he rose
early alike in winter and in summer al
the appointed moment, rousing himself
Instantly though in the soundest sleep at
the first note of his alarm bell; never
giving indulgence to lassitude or delay
To the hours which he gave to his pur
suits he adhered as scrupulously as posi-
BILE, never lightly suffering them to be
interfered with; now listening to his
reader; now debating what was to be
written; now using his own eyes spar
ingly for reading; now writing by the
aid Of simple machinery desired for
thos, who are in darkness; now passing
time in thoughtfully revolving his great
theme.
The excellence of his productions is,
in part, transparent to every reader
Compare what he has written with the
most of what others have left on the
same subjects, and Prescott's subjects,
and Prescott's superiority beams upon
you from the contrast. The easy flow
of his Language, and the faultlcss incidty
of his style, may make the reader forget
the unremitting toll which the narrative
has cost; but the critical inquirer sees
everywhere the fruits of investigation
rigdly pursued, and an imnartlality and
soundness of judgment, which give au-
thority to every statement, and weight to
every conclusion"
Mr.. Prescott's library was adorned
striking portraits of Ferdinand and Is
abella-of Columbus-of Don Sebastian,
King OF PoItusal-and of must of the
characters that figure in his histories
He possessed original letters of Feidi-
nand, Isabella and Charles w., and a
piece Of lace from the shroud ofCortes
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 imperfect. When
fully prepared to write. Mr.. Prescott's S
daily task would average about seyen
pages ofone of his prin.ed 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 monu-
mcnts to his life of labor and study
With a nowledge of the facts that con-
corning their preparation, as above Civ
en-, 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 Conquest
Of Mexico and Peru, and the Reign Of
Philip the Second