New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-18

of the case and seeing no likelihood that similar
one would occur. merely e1acted his attendance at
the regular hours. from which, in fact, he had no
power TO excuse him; but gave him to understand
that he shoud not be troubled further the duty
Of recting The solemn farce, therefore, OF going
to the exercise, book in hand for several months,
without looking at tho lesson, was continued, end
Prescott was always grateful to the kindly Profess
sor for his forbearancc.'
In the latter part Of his college career no re-
ceired some of tho customary marks OF successful
scholarship, and at its close Latin poon which is
not COUNTED among the higher honors at Cam.
bridge vas assigned to him his exercise for Com
mencement Immediately after leaving college, no
entered upon the strdy Of law in his fathers office,
but after four or FIVE months his remaining eye
WAS severely attacked, his general health became
impaired. and no devoted moro than year to its
recovery by an extended course of foreign travel.
Upon his return from Europe, after passing some
time in desutory pursuits, he determined to choose
alife ofhterary occupation but before engaging IN us
moro serious labors he made careful estimate oftho
difficulties which ho must encounter In the path.
"In this way he became fully aware, that, owing
to the infrmity under which he had now suflcrcd
during more than six Of tho most important years
of his life he had much 10 do before he could nope
even to begin o career that should end Win Such
success az is worth striving for. In many re-
spects, the very foundations wero to be iaid, ana
his first thought that they should be lad deep
and sure lie had never neglected his classical
studies, and now he gave himself afresh to them
during a fixed portion oocach day. But his more
da+o in allY
ture. OF the English he had probably read az
much as most persons of bis ago and condition, or
rather IL had been read to him: but this had been
chiefly for his amusement in hours OF pain ana
darkness, not IS G matter of study, and much less
upon q regular system. French no had spoken n
little, though not well, while be was in France and
Italy; but he knew almost nothing OF French Ut
erature. And Of Italian and Spanish though he
had learnt something as sehool-boy it had been
in thoughtless and careless way and,
after the injury to his sight both Of them lad been
neglected. Tho whole, therefore, not to be re-
lied upon; and mos. youIG men at the age Of four
or Eve ard twenty would have been disheaF'ened
at the prospect Of attempting TO recover so much
lost ground, and TO mako up for 70 many opportu-
mites that had gone by mover 10 return. When 10
this is added the peculiar discouregement that
seemed almost to shut out knowledge by its main
entrance. il would have been matter Of rerroach
20 bis courage or his manhood IL he had turned
away from the undertaking as one beyond lis
strength"
He had attained the age oftwonty-nine before re
decided upon the Reign of Ferdinand and lsa-
bella" as the first thcmo of his historical labors
After c brief course Of preparatory study, he Sc
cured the services OF an intelligent and educated
young man, Mr.. English, as his reader and sccrc-
tary, having previously received collection Of
books and manuscripts from Madrid.
Ee went 70 .sosk in earnest with his nsw recresry.
Tho room in which they rat was an nPpcr one 10 the
back part of the fine Old house IN Bedforo street. retired
and quiet, aud every way wen n,tsa ior us pui So
Mr.. English In Gn interesting letter 10 me- ihus umy
detcribes IL
Two side. of,Ne rocm" he ssys "wsre p.d w'.h heo'
from floor ceiling On the essery SIDE Va, zen ,ereen
hi, nee a. he sat ii, wnstsbe On ,hs wesey .i'
s' Que nSG" s: arr. s Of ca esua .. Wholly
v ed ana thus temper the s. eIscy 70 ths shy OF
sys Co pear u1o eS ~. y .1nr. Il tic ees,si Of tic
room ,,ood las wiiins table which he "a. in roctn,
ts-. With green .hid. HE eye. When we hsd h,r
lie u'ed only colo IN the sse - g'iri on, no IAN sa ~
Keep OF thu ro 81 the sbcn At the north woieiy corner
q es oy rS.w "a, 10; -. ss 2, ~.T M,
cbsir was tau. .hor ds,snes from 81, elL side
snd rather behind Lnf sailor would 'sy on nus qus,e,
10 Ill. position re aloud to him regularly every dhy ION
ten oceot ia two in the Afternoon 'ad hen
about 81 In the cvsnin. to eight
They began by reading peItion, o, Ior,ntSs Us,
was on the Chronicles OF Andres Bernslsex Dot then
printed, but obtained by him In manuscript ZION
M.4Id. Au,ns box shGsd i sSSTsn,t
for he Mocrsh wars and the e OF Columbus MT the
young secretary found II very lard reading
"a hugo parchment, covered HInu'criPt" be e.' Bsp.
@ay hour hoy 90 tss . r nsT,r forget Ra NJ Prescott
.i,iea t- toot ss., md Would ~ ,S nOI''
ss1 an r.. r,sS a.r n sS me ~ esu
uudest4aG frat elandsr,d slonr could not con
ecve. = he annoysd-s' Ne vel might be'-h' never
e seemed fy eoascou, Of the dicul'y Of the task be-
FORE hin ou. rssoIstey de.ernned accomplish #, han.n
panc. md could do A. any
which he wished 70 impress on b.. menory he would 'sy
pencil srsina H. ne used Aso 90 takes me.norsrdnm
Of anything he vsbed particularly 10 remember. with refer
on the table ana e usually bis ivory s,ys IN hand
ready make biz nos Of rsie,nee Thee no,e, Afterwards
a. ud ou In very large round hsud fc! lis future and
wien he oegn actually write the history would road them
over verify the reference by Tho original thcfiy " he
reoaired T. / ,.ni however ne did not very o,n Ind
NECESSARY 20 refer the book lie seemed 20 hsvs cultivated
liz memory 20 yt-y b decree md had besides habit OF
rejecting upoa aid arranging IL t MAD o. diss'ns as
be p1sei h the mornings reAdr while sitting alone after
s. M gdy T,ps .s sn ws' hove Ss nsy p,.,
a. four hour. sssn OF steady reading Ihe wonder was
how lis could hrd 70 digest such load between tie
But tho, no liked DE .ub,.pc Of hs lad been Iesa
hen drst BEGAN 10 read 10 Mr. prescot bis eye visa In
very sensitive state ard 10 dd sempt 10 nss ct al
Arer some months however, u got stronger and he would
Al. the cuT,snsd window With yoluo- open upon ffsme
on ssnd md read hnsei, msrking passages lie went
along While reading be woult frequently Ilse or lower
wholly partly more Of the sus curtain, Each Of
them led is separate cord which 10 knew as well sailor
ns s,yi mi ,rrsngsm.nt OF these cart,n,
mat Df mel ant