The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-28

OB ! = y a r y.
Sir Archibald Alison. the Historian
On the receipt Of the cable telegram announcing the
death OF the distinguished gentleman and author whose
name heads this article published short sketch
OF his life and labors The time being limited when
tho article was prepared naturally rendered it short
and in measure not as copous ~ the reputation
OF the deceased deserved Below we publish full aud
copious sketch Of his life works. which viii be found
Interesting.
SIR Archibald Alison was born at Henley In Shropshire
the Goth day OF January. 1792 His father was tho
we'll known Rev. Archibald Alison. Prsbendary or Sails
bury. Rector Of Roddngton and Vicar OF High Evcal.
In the county Of Saiop Hc was also tho author
Of the "Essay ON tho Nature and Principles OF
Taste" which has been widely read. The mother
OF the deceased Dorothsa Gregory daughter Of
DIR. John Gregory. who held the chair Of the
practice OF physic in the University OF Ednburg and
llnsai descendant Of James Gregory, the celebrated
mathematician and contemporary Of SIR Isaac newton
Rev. Archibald Alison held several prefcrmeuts In Eng
land and IL while holding that Of the vIcarage Of
Henley. In Shropshire. that the historian was born.
Tho first eight years offsr Archibald Ason's life were
spent England In 1900 however, his father accepted
invitation TO become tho minister Of an Episcopal
congregation In Edinbug and % that city he removed
with his parents In the modern Athens' Of Europe
he received his education, being aumnus Of the Unit
vsrsity Of Edinbarg. Here he greatly distinguished
himself, both In classical and mathematical studies
Being intended for the SCOTCH bar Sir Archibald devoted
hmssl, % the study q law and on the stn q septsm
vocates We would say here CALLED 10 the bar He
had however scarcely entered upon the duties OF his pro-
had just been unsealed TO British SUBJECTS by the fall
OF Napoleon l. and his RELOCATION TO ElbR Through.
out the years Of warfare and although but mere lad
in years Sir Archibald had watched the progress Of the
contest with deep interest Years Afterwards when his
Hisory OF Europe from 17So 10 the Restoration Of the
B0urbons," was published he wrote. referring his
visit Paris after the occupation Of that city by the
allied armies :-"Among the countless mutudes whom
together every part Of Europe the French capt.
ta and the bsncy OF the spectacle 10 review Of the
allied army OF occupasion had concentrated on the spot
interest the progress OF the from his earliest years.
and who having hurried from his paernal roof In Edn
burg on the frat cessation Of hostites then
conseived tho first idea narrating its events and
amidst Its wonders inhaled that ardent spirit that deep
enthusiasm which sustained him through fifteen subse-
Quont years OF travelling and study. and 1fteen
composition has al length realized itself In tho present
history" For the purpose Of writing accurate his
battle field Of note In Europe
On his return from the continent SIR Archibald no.
attained great success He was never Conspicuous as an
advocate however, the oxerclse Of his profession
sstiog chiefly Of written plcadngs by which the most
Quoted Still his abors brought him substantial pro0ts
and their results sufficient establish ms repua
strongly conservative. and the Duke Of Wellington
being then the Premier OF Great Britain. many
years did not elapse before he obtained ON
rusry 1928, he was appointed Advocate Depu.e 70
the Lord Advocate OF Scotland and held the position
until 1890 when tho Duke Of Wellington having re-
sgned the political party 70 which the deceased be-
longcd retired temporarily from office. Two years after
biz sppontmsn: as Advocate Dsputs I'm 1920 Sir Aroh
Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Fraser Tytlcr Of Wood
houselee and cousin Of Patrick Fraser Iytlor after
had daughter and two sons the latter OF whom, as
officers Of the British army greatly distinguished Thorn.
Soon aisor his resignation or she ooe Of he Advo
cateDeputo I'm 1857 the deceased published his 0rst
work. entitled the "rincpies OF the Criminal Law Of
the Criminal Law OF Scotland" Both Of these works
have been for many years regarded rs standard sutho
but in Germany and America In 1893 10 also published
the nrst volume or his greatest work. tho "istovy or
Europe from 1850 70 the Restoration OF tine Bourbons"
completed in ton volumes and has taken rank ~
European classic. This work was great and assured
from ITS appearance and regarded with sach
favor that Il translated into every European lam
guage, aud even into Arabic and Hindoostanse While
s undoubtedly work Of great ability, 10 written in
the author to the principles represented By Napoleon
hts sxrome tory Ideas and his rm belief In the vns
rights Of kings" including those OF the Bourbon
dynasty, alike conspired give 40 air Of partially 70
the work which would have boon OF dOrbls value had
tho pretudlCe6 not 0xlSt0d
In 1854, upon tho wing government being ovcrthrown
and Sir Robert Peel called upon TO form his frat Min
istry. SIR Archibald was appointed shorf Of LAnark
shrothe Lancashire Of Scotland-an important judicial
Office which he held for many years In 1910, amid
the pressure OF official engagements he found time
write and publish hts work ent tiled sThe Principles OF
Population and thor Connection with Human happi.
ncss In 1845 he also published his England 10 1915
ao add
Vows these subjects rather peculiar and some
what contradiced By the progress Of events but a.
elaboratey written, and commanded marked attention
at the time In ls4e the deceased historian elected
Isss Ess0' Rsea. s College, a1S
burg, both Of which positions he held with
great satisfaction 70 all parties concerned In these
Lord Paimsrston hts competitions On the accession
0 Lord Derby, In 1861 70 the Premiership OF Great
Britain ono Of his first acts was TO create Sir Archibald
barones in recognition Of his great literary inertia his
ooai labors and his devotion and TO the oon
sentative party During the same year he received the
honorary degree Of D. O. l. from the Universty Of
Oxford.
Besides the works already mentioned, tho deceased
Marlborough and in 1850 collection Of writings in
three volumes entitled Essays Political. Literary and
Miscellaneous" These latter were originally contrIbu-
tons TO Backwoods Magazine the great northern organ
OF the conservatives and marked by great vigor
Of thought and Ian yuage In 1869 he completed the
writing and publishing OF his "History OF Europe from
fan OF Napoleon 1916 the Accession Of Louis
Napoleon, In 1881 This work Intended as a sup
plcment 20 his great history and was received with
literary ability displayed and It's narration OF facts IL its
impartial estimate OF the men who figured during those
years. although his politics and principles were dia
mericay opposed to theirs The justice particularly
which he did TO the motives and abilities OF
Napoleon I'LL not the least his favor The latest
works OF Sir Archibald published only few years
ago, and his lives OF "Lord Casereaghn and the
First and Second Marquises OF Londonderry" or
these last works we know but little. While they were
written in the usual elegant style Of the author their
subjects were not such would interest many Amer.
eau readers In England, however, they were very
iavoraby received A. indeed, we're all Of the writings
OF the deceased.
Az public speaker Sir Archibald Alison was fluent
effective and eloquent HIS speeches numerous
and among the more notable NAV be mentioned his ad
dress 70 the first emgrans who sailed from the Clyde to
New Zealand, IN 1882 He also appeared President
the annual soree Of the Manchester Athen9um In ls47
where ne made speech OF such vgor and sioqucnce
that he was compimented by such men ~ Mr. Golden
and Mr. Emerson ~ the champion Of conservatism
In Church and state He Afterwards presided At the
great banquet In Glasgow given In commemoraiion OF
the centenary Of the birth OF Burns the Scottish poet
and there delighted his hearers with elegant and elo
qasnt speech In gqincaon Of the minstrel ploughman.