New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
wcxYoRs LIFE OF PRESCOTT.

rielaa. New. York: Sheldon o. 10
az the American historians whose iamc mas e1'
landed beyond the limits Of their own country aDd
vho have won brilliant position among European
saho,ars II viii probably be conceded without ques'
A., that Mr.. Prescott combines in tho greatest do
,,se the qualities essential to pql&ar reputation
With the conditions that guarantee permanent
Mace in literature. With no pretenson to the Sc
auotive rraccs of style exhibited by Washington
living or the phlosophic depth, wide research, and
sasborate composition of MI Bancroft, be was more
enact and discriminating in bis statements than the
sne, and possessed greater facility and fuency OF
narrative than the other. Compared with his
younger rival, Mr.. Motley he was more uniform
polished, and graceful in his dicton, and perhaps
more cautious in the detail Of events, but without
the fervor Of thought, and vigorous passionate eA-
preston which give such dramatic erect 70 tDe
pages of the historian of the Netherlands. II is late
In the day, however, to discuss the merits OF Mr..
Prescott as historian, while 10 is q more grateful
TASK TO recall the outlines Of his career, and 70
awell upon his personal traits, as depicted in the
present admirable biography by the accomplished
scholar who was the companion Of his studies and
his lifelong most familiar and congenial friend.
MIR. Prescott was born in the old Puritanic town
Of Salem, May 4, 1885, His earliest lessons were
received in the schools Of that place, especially from
GOOD "Master Knapp" celebrated pedaeogue
whose rod and ferue were supposed to possess Pc
snbar virtue. Ho is remembered by those who
knew him at that time as bright, merry boy, w'th
IN inquistve mind, quick perceptions, and reacy,
retentive memory. He took kindly TO learning
though he loved play better than books. MOI very
vigorous in person. he neyerfancied rude or athletic
sports but preferred games that required no great
phvsical strength. He made himself happy athome
with light reading was greatly excited by stones
Chat appealed 10 his imagination, but did not love
work in school, and made but little progress ii his
studies.
In the Summer OF 1903, Mr.. Prescott the elder
semoyed with bis family TO Boston, and William
became a member of the private classical school
kept by the Rev. DR.. Gardiner, an eminent and
highly cultivated Episcopal clergyman OF that city.
He learned his lessons easily, took great delight IN
reading books of fiction and wild adventure but
fet little interest in study, or serious intellectual
cultivation Of sny kind. In August, 1911, he was
admitted TO the Sophomore class in Harvard Col
lege and in the following year experienced the
sccident which was destined 10 shape the course Of
his subsequent life
II occurred In the Commons Hall, one day ster din
Her IN his Junior year On this occasion there was
some rude frolickng among the the qndergIaduatee
such a. was not very when the college officers had
ft the tables. they frequently did, afew minutes
before the room was emptied II was not. however,
On this particular occasion considerable disorder ard
Prescott had NO share in what there was. But when
10 passing ont Of the door Of the Hal he attention
was attracted By the disturbance gong on na and a.
Che same instant received o blow from large hh,u
piece OF bread thrown undoubtedly at random ano IN
mere thonrhtles-ness aid geyety. 1t srnck tue @,'
eve rare occurrence in the case OF that yigst organ
which Oh the spproach OF the slightest danger IS almost
always protected by an instructive Closing OF Ihe
Nds But here there no notice-lo warning. 1he
missile which mnst have been thrown With great force
struck the yery disk Of the eye ITSELF IL was tie e.'
eye. He fen-and was Immediately orought, 70 nm
Shree hours from the occurrence OF the hcedent ne
IN the hands Of DR.. james Jackson the knd iriehd
~ well az the wise medical ADVISER OF AIS iS'Aei
The first effects Of the blow were remarkable. They
we're. in fact such as common! attend CONCLUSION o.
and completely Frustrated Sickness az the s'o.haeh
followed HIS pulse was feeble. His face becsme pale
ard shrunken and tho whole tone OF his 81 stem was
reduced so low that he could not SIT up IN bed But Liz
mind was calm and clear and he was able 70 gave
distinct account Of the accident TINT hac besen LIZ
and Of what had preceded end followed It.
Under such circumstances no actlve treatment Nos
deemed advisable Quiet was strictly PRESCRIBED What
ever could tend TO the least excitement physlca. o. IA
kersef This no doubt was the wisest course. AT
any rate the system, which bad At nrst tleideo -
aisrmDgly TO the shock, gradually recovered AS 'one
And ip few weeks he returned 10 Cambridge and puI
sped his studies ts il nothing very serious had rap
poned; little cautiously. perhaps IN some
respects but probably with 10 dnincton Of sueh 'eiy
nOderate diligence ms he had previously practeed But
the eye that bad been struck wee gone No
external mark either then aiterwErd indicated the
Injury that lad been inflicted; and although gdm,
mering light was still peroeptibe through the rubbed
Srgsr there none That could be made useiu o any
efthe practical purposes Of life. Or careful eznmira
Zion such as olce made, with niagniiyihe lenses AT
rs request under the direction OF distinguished ccu
list difference could indeed 90 detected between tie
fnured eye and lie ether. and sometimes ss sat with
him have thought that IL seemed more din; but TO
eonrnon observation In society or In the streets as III
sbe well known case OF the author Of the " Paradise
Lost no change was perceptiOie. IL was IL TACT q
ease obscure deep paralysis OF the Tea end Us such
vas beyond the reach u tAe healing art from Tie mo
0ept the blow gwen.
Upon returning to College and rcsuining Bis
studies, he was compared with what be had boon d
sobered man. lie determined 10 acquire more
respectable rank in his class, 40 scholar, than he
bad earlier deemed worth the trouble, and although
somewhat late for tho sttempt, be IN part succeed
Cd "His remarkable memory enabled him 10 get
On well with the English studiesi even with those
fol1hich, as for tho higher metaphysics he had
hearty disrelish. But mathematics and geometry
seemed 10 constitute On insurmonntlble obstacle.
He had taken none of the preparatory steps 10
qualify himself for them and il was impossible now
70 60 back TO the clements, and lay sufficient
foundation. lie knew, in fact, nothing sbont
them, and never did afterwgrd He became desper-
ste, therefore, and took 10 desperate remedies.
HE first was 10 commit 70 memory, With perfect
uf.gfo