Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-03-24

hlllp the ScCOnu. Except ulcllOna-
ries and other works of reference, books
not especially relatisg to the subject
in hand were excluded from the study.
With his materials thus gathered
about him, the historian commenced
his work. The secretary first read the
only English history of the King and
his reign. Notes and observations
were dictated as they were suggested
by the book. Having freshened his
recollections by hearing this volume
read, Mr.. Prescott proceeded to exam
inc the treasures he had collected.
Each book was taken from the shelf
in turns by the secretary. who read
aloud its title, its table of contents,
and a few pages by way of specimen
of its style and character. Notes were
taken while this examination was go
ing on, which were preserved for fu-
ture reference. OF the three or four
hundred volumes, great majority of
course proved worthless, being either
merely repetitions, or compilations,
or translations of preceding authors,
or else, if original, without authority
The number of books of real value
would be thus reduced down to per-
haps hundred.
The huge folios Of MSS. were next
attacked. These had been examined
by competent person, who prepared
a careful digest and table of contents.
The secretary read this, and notes
were dictated as he proceeded. Hav
ing thus, as it were, taken an account
of stock, and ascertained the general
character of his materials, they were
next inspected in detail in the follow
ing manner: The first chapter of Phil
ip the Second contains an account of
the abdication and last days Of his
father and predecessor, Charles the
Fifth. The secretary gathered round
him every volume, printed or MSS,
which contained any thing about the
last named monarch. The books are
in the English, French, Spanish, ltal-
ian and Latin languages. One by one
they were read aloud, and copious
notes were dictated. When every
thing relating to Charles the Fifth had
thus been peruSed and noted, the his
to"ian 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 du-
ring these preparatory labors.
The apparatus used by Mr.. Prescott
consisted of frame the size of COM
mon sheet of letter paper, with brass
wires inserted to correspond with the
number of lines marked. Thin car
Donate paper was used, and instead of
a pen the writer employed stylus
with an agate point. The great diff
Guilty in the way of PERSONS writing
III the ordinary manner, whose vision
is impaired, arises from not knowing
when the ink is exhausted, and more
over the lines will be run into one an
other. Both difficulties are obviated
by the simple arrangement just de-
scribed. The pages thus written by
Mr.. Prescott were copied by the secre-
tary, and read, that such interlinations,
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
volumes of Philip the Second, includ-
ing the preparatory studies. These
volumes appeared in 1850; the third
of the series were issued within a few
weeks, and it is understood that the
fourth is considerably advanced.
The Hon. George Bancroft. in an
eloquent tribute to his friend, before
the New York Historical Society, thus
referred to the studious and systematic
habits of Mr.. Prescott: ellis habits
were methodically exact; retiring early
and ever at the same hour, he rose
early alike in winter and in summer al
the appointed moment, rousing him
self instantly, though in the soundest
sleep, at the first note of his alarm
bell; never giving indulgence to lassi.
tude or delay. To the hours which he
gave to his pursuits he adhered as
scrupulously as possible, never lightly
suffering them to be interfered with
now listening to his reader; now die.
tating what was to be written; now
| using his own eyes sparingly for read
ing; now writing by the aid of simple
machinery devised for those who are
: in darkness; now passing time in
thoughtfully revolving his great
: theme.
1.-The excellence of his productions