The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1865-02-11
george Bancroft on Edward Ev.
ePett.

review Of the life and lahors OF Edward
Everett, by Bancroft, the Historian. We,
need not tell our readers that it is ar in;e--
ssting paper:
+. In the death of Edward Everett have
lost the eldest friend that remained 20 me.
I saw him for the first time in August,
1913. more than a half century ago. on my
examination for admission 10 Harvard
College. / was then twelve years old, he.
Ineteen. He was al the time the college
tutor OF the Latin Language, and for one
quarter at Cambridge our class read With
rim the irst books Of Livy. A marvellous
account Of the ability he had displayed in
the four wears OF his students life, his un-'
disputed reputation as the best scholar that
had been graduated within the traditions
Of that day, q grave, and sedate, and earn
est manner, sanctity of Ofappearacce, that
made him in youth an object OF venera-
ton. gave him over our class AL influence
such ae no other Instructor exercised. In
few weeks he was invited to take the
mace LETT vacant by the lanented Buck
minister, and at the end Of the term he baGe
,s an aftect;onate farewell. l remember to
this day the aspect of holiness which he
wore, as he made us a parting speech. full
Of the best counsels and exhOrtasions. In
the pulpit his manner at that time was
more sober, aud calm. and solemn than a.
] any later period. Crowds throngeG 10 hea.
hln; he loved occasionally to trea: subjects
OF critical learning; the oldest doctors IN
the temple were amazed at his skill in dis
pnta.ion; and the young of both sexes hung
With delight on his tervid but chas.e and
modest eloquence. ~
II In the latter part of 1914, he travelled 10
/ the South, having for one Of his chief ob-
jecls TO visit jefferson; but calls from home
forced him back from Washington. n
December, John Adams, then in his eigh-
tie.h year, thus heralded his fame 10 the
great author of our Declaration OF snde-
pendence: THE most exalted Of oar ge-
muses. n Boston have an mDitton 70 see
Monticello, its library, and its sage.
lately gave liue Of introduction 70 M-.
1 Everett, orr mos. celebrated YOUTH he
had been a clergyman for abou. & year,
) AMI was then but twenty.
Soo,, elected Professor OF Greek Litere-
ture in Harvard, where the promise Of It's
return was hailed with rapturous delight
-bv the students, he repaired to the UEiver-
sity OF Go.tingen for better preparation for
the office. Here, among those most accom-
plished in learning, and most famed FOR
industry, he secured the same degree OF
esteem as a. home. He had miraculous
, Mci,ity in acquiring learning; this is one
!. OF the marked features of his intellect, IN
which never knew any one that excelied
: him. lie mastered Greek with sn ease
thas was the admiration Of his teachers;
Dissen, the great enthusiast fo- Plato and
Pindar and the Greek tragedians. soil
tary recluse, learned to bear him affection;
and before long he spoke and wrote Ger
man SO well, that ut the request OF the yen
s erable Eichhorn, the editor, he contributed
review TO the great Gottipgen period
cal.
It was during his residence abroad, tina.
my intimate relations with Mr.. Everett
began. just as he was leaving London,
IS Neh fall rHf w no
\ every moment of his time was most prec.-
! ous, ne heard that I, then seventeen, was
y On nv way through Holland to Gottingen,
aDG be foucd time to write in advance and
send 70 meet me at Amsterdam, "a very long
Z letter, full of encouragement and the most
minute and carefully y-considered detail Of
distractions and advice. An elder brother
: could not have shown more OF guardian
care. j mention this. only to bring oue3 :
other trait in his character. He never mis-
sed an opportunity to do . kind office 20 8
hllow-nlan, especially to q man Of letters.
2 All his long life he was true to this quality
Z in his nature. He could not be 60 occupied,
bat he would End time for good wo-c 70
any young scholar that needed j., and
when novice in authorship ventured 10
Z come before public, he was sure to ponder
on the best way Of introducing him 20 fa-
vor, or shielding him from censure. or, il
need were, breaking his fall. At the sane
tine he was chary Of his hours, and even
Of his minutes. Sie
classical studies, and was hesitatiBg whe;c-
er TO devote himself specially TO them as q
pursuit for life, Mr.. Everett advised 20 q
different choice, and added: ssYou see /
have placed go much confidence in yoc az
not TO hesitate in advising you to this, be-
cause my own studies happened to be de-
voted 70 the other. No one thing does. or
rv;x MI
meas any sort Of improvement in America:
and il you should find your taste incline
you 70 those pursuits which fall within nv
sphere, you may depend upon my counting
every s..ccees you meet as new pleasure
OF my own"
Eere another marked characteristic Of
Mr.. Everett's mind is portrayed with ex-
net truth. he took pleasure in every suc.
cess thai any man could gain, like in other
pursuits, and in those Kindred to his own.
He never doled out scant praise. He new
Or withheld from any one the applause
that was due. never could discern in
him the slightest vestige Of envy. His
heart expanded a: observing merit in 9th
ers: and IL sometimes he was too forhesS-
ing or too oonplacen TOW ard mediocrity he
Bloriously redeemed that foible by he
keerest and most willing perception Of all
kinds of excellence. His own culture Of q
particular branch only gave him taste to
sClsoern, arg prcinptneSs 20 acknowseae,
any happy achievement Of others in the
mme class Of effort. lie would hear a
public Hpealer do well, relish his perform
ance with the lveliest pleasure, and dwell
on its merits WITH nice discrimination, and
tho heartiest approval.
Returning home TO occupy his post as
= Professor Of Greek Litersture, at Harvard,
he burst upon the world around him with
= fertility and variety Of industry, which
even wen. beyond highly-raised expecta
lions. Ia part, this was the natural cut
now of his own exnherant aEd buoyant
genius: in part. perhaps, it proceeded
Apm something like necessity. He inher
Ned no fcrsnne nothing, but the taste for