The Hawaiian gazette., 1868-09-30
Prescou's Life and Works.
IFron .hs Esrlsr d - ,I.aas..l

Prom the Review De Dcux Msndes.l
few years ago, one Of the men who has
most contributed TO mark the place of the
American nation in the literary movement Of
the 19th century, Was suddenly taken away
BY an untimely death WuIIlN II. Pies
corr, the eminent historian, died in Boston
on the sSth Of January, 1859, in the full vigor
Of his talents, abruptly interrupted in the
course Of his most important works. He
was achieving fame extending far beyond
the limits Of his own country, by works Of
the highest character, which have become
popular also in foreign lands yet very little
was known Of him personally, or Of the ef
forts through which he had gsined his repu-
taiioD- Some were acquainted with the
many obstacles thrown in his way by his
fSSsle health, ard his almost aSsolue state
| Of blindness. In the preface to one of
his principal books, he had disereetly told
I the reader of some Of his difficulties and
suferings; but those few lines, impressed
with 4 melancholy resignation had, so far,
been the only revelation 20 the general reader,
when George Tieknor. of Boston, published
ais most interesting book, 1.-The Life of
/ Prescott Written by hand which seems
/ still shaky with sympathetic emotion and
grief, the narrative comprises the whole life
Of Prescott, from The first months Of his in
fancy to the very day of his death
The great interest hat one feels in perus-
ing the book is owing to the abundance OF
details having the charm and stampof truth,
added to the infinite care with which friend
sets forth the qualities of 4 friend, and above
all, TO the character Of affection animating
all the pages devoted to the history of sim
/ pie, noble, and painful existence
The great attraction in Prescotrs life is
not derived from exciting scenes, or uncx-
pected events, but from the courageous sim
plicity with which he devoted his existence
to study, and died martyr to his chosen
calling. We have thought that something
touching and instructive is taught by bis in
domitable energy in his infirmities; by the
analysis Of his hAbitual processes of eompo-
sition; and also from the example of his pure
and noble nature
William Hickling Prescott was born in
Salem, on the 4th Of May, 1875 His father,
William Prescott, who, in later years, became
Judge in Boston, was distinguished law
yer, and his mother, Catherine Hickling,
was the daughter of a merchant of Massa-
ehusetts. The Prescott family is proud of
belonging, by its ancestors, to those glorious
emigrants Of the 10th century who, saerifc-
ing their country to their faith, went to the
deserted shores Of the New World, to fiud
there new home, and religious liberty of
conscience. The first among them were the
historians aneestOrs-energetie and intelli-
gent men, who exercised great influence
on the destinies Of the infant colony
Young William was fond of listening to
the great deeds of his forefathers, and to the
part which his grandfather had taken in the
war Of American Independence, and he used
to look with admiration at the sword which
Was worn at the glorious battle of Bunker
Hill It is not unlikely that he preserved,
from those early remembances, his great
taste for relating heroic actions and noble
deeds of warfare. The romances of the old
times Of ehivalry were among his fAvorite
books. He eyinced in his youth 4 great
aversion TO any kind of exertiOn, and great
propensity to idleness and dissipation. Even
his admission to Harvard University did not
alter his indolent habits 1t appears that
he was not able even, to resist all the tempta-
tions that were crowding in his way. His
biographer informs Us that it was the most
dangerous period OF his life, and that he used
to think Of it, in after years, with sorrow and
regret 4 terrible accident, which was to
have on his fntUre sad and considerable in
iuence, suddenly changed the course of his
life. While playing with his comrades, g
piece of bread, thrown with violence by one
of them, struck him in the eye. This IN
fortunate blow was the cause of an infam-
nation by which his life was endangered.
and when he recovered, his eye was entirely
lost The long, weary weeks through which
be passed in darkness and silence, were IA
vorable to sound reflection, and he came out
Of his long rest with the firm determination
TO make up, by assiduous work, for the be-
hAyior of his former years This was. thanks
to his remarkable faculties, & very easy task,
and when he had finished his University
studies, he had the glorious honor Of reading
in public Latin poem composed by himself,
and dedicated to Hope" This poem was
lost, and he was never able to find it amongst
his college eoPy-bOoks or papers.
Hope was indeed smiling on him at that
time, when, after brilliant success, and en-
joying renewed health, he left Harvard Uni
versity. He was then 10, and be began the
study Of law, under his fathers direction.
Two years had elapsed since his accident,
and he was led TO believe that the result
would never be serious, but his illusion did
not last long. A slight imprudenee brought
back the terrible Inflammation which had
already endangered his life, and when, after
three months suffering and excrueiating pain,
he was allowed to emerge from darkness,
his remaining eye was in such bad condi-
tion that be could hardly use It to read one
page, or write letter. He spent one winter
in the Azores, travelled in France, England
and Italy, and tried the most skillful sur
geous Of London and Paris, but zI without
avail When be came back to Boston, after
two years' absence, he brought back the
same pains, and was obliged to follow the
same prescriptions. Great was the disap-
Pointment Of his poor mother, who had pre-
pared for her beloved son a nice room,
adorned with beautifuI. bright tauestries