New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-07
JOHN LOTHROP MOTLEY.
THE HISTORIAN STRUCK WITH APOPLExY.
Inxnox Wadnaadao A.. to1.

/ body.
Mr. Motley has been obliged by his Illness TO de-
cline the invitation Of the Queen of Holland to take
| UP his residence in the royal palace.
IL is almost too much 10 hope that the distinguished
| historian can recover from attack 80 grave
| this. II he should succumb to it, he will leave
| behind him no equal, and we may almost say no
apparent SUCCESSOR among American men of letters.
He is one of our few literary men who have attained
broader fame, aud more universal acceptance
abroad than at home. He has always added 10 his
success as q writer and scholar social
distinction which made him the most widely
known American in Europe Of day.
Mr. Motley has enjoyed in England and on the con-
tinent far greater and more important range OF
personal relations than even Franklin and wash
ington Irving In the highest social circles OF Eu
rope his fatal illness will be regarded as personal
grief by many who cared little for his hisories but
to American literature his loss is nothing less than
irreparable. He has fallen in the midst OF tho
greatest work Of his lifehis History OF the Thirty
Years War; 1t would be bold hand that should
attempt to finish the mastery fragment which he
must leave.
Mr. Motley was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts,
ON the 18th of April, 1914. His family was
wealthy and influential and he received care
full education, graduating at Harvard College In
1891 He went abroad Immediately afterward 70
pursue bis studies in Germany, and entered the
University Of G0ttingen. 1t was here be formed
that Intimate friendship with young Otto Won Bis
marck, who was just fortnight his senior, which
has continued through life. After completing his
studies at G0ttngen and Berlin he spent
some time in travelling through tho South Of
Europe Returning home he read law and was
admitted to the bar in 1896, but scarcely pTactlced
at ALL devotng himself to the agreeable occu'
pations of literature. His first efforts, though indi-
eating the possession Of unusual power Of compost
ton were not successful. He published, in 1859,
novel called "Morton's Hope, or the Memoirs OF a
Young Provincial IL received welcome from
the apublc. Mr. Motley afterward
appointed Secretary Of Legation at St. Peters
burg, but he held the post for short
time only and then came back to this country. Ono
result of his Russian residence a remarkable pa
per on Peter the Great which appeared in The North
american Reuiec He continued for several years.
reading a great deal and writing htte-essays.
sketches and reviews-until, in 1S49, he again en-
tered the field of historical fiction and published
another unsuccessful novel, called Merry Mount
Romance Of the Massachusetts Colony" 1t was
fortunate for the world that these two
romances failed. If they had obtained
even that reasonable success which their merits
would have warranted, might never have known
the most picturesque historian of our time. About
/
Holland, and conceived the idea Of writing work
upon that theme. The late Hon. Charles Eames of
Washington was said to have first suggested this
subject to him. He wrote q considerable portion Of
the " Rise of the Dutch Republic" in this country.
| but becoming at last fatigued with the obstacles
which everywhere stand in the way Of any
scholarly work, he went to Europe with
his family and began a serious course of
reading in libraries and public archives. As 8
result of this, lie found how inadequate
had been his former sources of information, and
throwing aside all that he had done he resOlutely
| began anew, and after FIVE years Of unremitting
labor produced in 1856 the three volumes Of the
standard history. 1t was published first in London
and Immediately afterward in New-York. 1t was
accepted everywhere as the most able and valuable
all recent contributions to Dutch history. twas
translated into Dutch and published at Amsterdam
with an introduction by Backhuysen van den Brink.
At Leipsc and at Dresden. German TRANSACTIONS were
printed. In France the work appeared in French
under the high auspices of the venerable historian
Guzot.
The great success thus attained by his frat his
torca venture has since been brilliantly sustained
by every succeeding volume The History Of tho
United Netherlands" showed no falling off from the
previous work. but with an equal accuracy and
learning. wider breadth of philosophy and
richer and easier grace of style. No historical works
of the time have in such degree combined the crit
ica approval of scholars and the delighted applause
of the reading public. HOnors rained upon the his
toran from every quarter lie elected
member of innumerabe learned societies.
He succeeded Mr.. Prescott in the French
Institute was made LII. d. by Harvard Col
lege and ID. c. y. by the University of Oxford
When he advanced to receive this degree on Com
memoration day the traditional rough play and sky
larlxing among the Undergraduates were suspended
for the moment, and not disrespectful cry broke
the unanimity of the applause with which the histo
rian greeted-a quite unusual tribute due per-
haps as much to Mr.. Motleys handsome and impos-
ing presence as to his learning and his fame. An
other noticeable incident was the dedication TO him
of N. Yctorien Sardou's popular melodrama of
Patrie' in which the clever playwright declared
that his entire knowledge of the history of the
period chosen was due to Mr.. Motley.
When Mr.. Lincoln was elected to the Presidency
Mr. Motley was in England, and with that ardor and
energy with which he always expressed his cOnvic
TONS he made himself conspicuous in the aristo-
cratic salons and clubs which he frequented by his
assertion of the justice of the National cause and
his denuncatons of that phase Of English opinion
which favored the Rebellion He published in The
| London Times. and afterward reprinted i'll pam
phlet one of the ceyeres and strongest statements
of the right of the Nation to defend its life TO
! which the war gave rise. He came home IN the
| Spring of 1851. and visit to Wash
| ngton was introduced by Senator Sumner to Mr..
| lincoln which introduction was the beginning Of
mutual friendship which lasted until the death Of
| the President. Mr.. Motley was soon after appointed
| Minister to Austria. The nomination excited some
comment being outside OF the usual political circles.