New-York tribune., 1876-03-24
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
CENTENNIAL EDITION.

Mr.. BancrOfts work IN inc compositioh VI hiS
great history resembles the processes of Nature IN
being gradual evolution rather than an absolute
md complete creation. During the forty years since
the date of the preface to tho original edition. it has
been the subject of studiOus assduity and vigilant
reyisal on the part of the author The purpose
which he then announced has since been pursued
with unfaltering devotion. There has been no
abatement of "the sincerity with Which he has
sought to collect truth from trustworthy documents
and testimony" With the lapse of years, he has
never grown weary in comparing witnesses or
consulting codes of law" giving perpetual fresh
ness to his narrative by drawing new life from orgi-
nal sources.
The first edition of the work was a monument of
historical research critical acuteness and descrlp-
five power. to which at that time there was no
parallel in the literature of the country 1t was
arkabe alike for cleaness Of perception, sagaclty
IF Judgment, and felicity of statement. The terSe
simplicity of its style, relieved by frequent passages
Of picturesque splendor, in admirable keeping
with its profound analysis of philosophical principles.
For the peculiar distinction Of the work consists In
It's not being superficial narrative OF events, but
r,asterly exposition of the ideas III wich they hat
their origin. Mr. Bancroft is disciple Of the schooi
which believes in thought as the foundation of
action. In his view the true comprehension OF the
development Of history demands insight no less than
,bseryation Its essential elements not found Ill
the images which glide tie panoramic scene.
,nt In the interior of thought where the germs of
,con cue prepared, and the springs of vitality given
10 external events. Hence the intellectual condition
D, an epoch falls within the scope of his history as
we'll as the'seCTets of diplomacy, and the achieve
monts of military prowess. Political freedom is
Traced back to the philosophy of Descartes, which
demands liberty of thought the condition OF pro-
eress. and the benign institutions of William Penn
of tba On olypyco
10 the influence of the elmer Light" in opposition
% the philosophy Of Locke which seeks the origin Of
uunan knowledge in external sources.
The constant recognition OF the unity between the
nner and the outer man. between the suggestions OF
The soul and the results of experience Is the key to
Lir Bancrofts history. The excellence ofhis plan is
,ttested by the success of his work. Few literary
products of the age have been received with more
cordial acceptance, or sustained their original
prestige through so long succession of years The
centennial edition is now appropriately produced as
precious Offering for the centennial year. II bears
Tic last touches of the authors hand, and is the
fruit OF his ripe and rich experience. He has oy-
IDENTITY engaged in the work OF revision with the
keen zest Of original composition. Every page III
IFS new form literally shows the freshness and aidor
with which lie has sought to impress the child OF his
age with the seal of perfection. IL has been 10 h0h
day task to submit the labor of life, commenced III
the fervor youth and pursued through the strength
OF manhood, to the austerc judgment of Impartial
maturity The work has been performed with
critice, thoroughness and justice, freedom from
the pride of authorship, and from the seductloS OF
personal sef-conscOusness, Of which there are but
tare examples in literary history. The students OF
the original work may sometimes indeed be tempted
70 regret the severity with which Mr.. Bancroft has
prnned the composition, and to lament the curtail-
ment of favorie passages whose beautiful and uXu-
riant bloom was curously blended with the glowing
cOlors OF the ripened harvest.
Tn the prosecution of his task, Mr.. Bancroft has
iaade free use of the suggestions OF friends III all
parts of the Union, special branches of American
history which they had made their study. Every
important criticism has been carefully weighed, and
never rejected except after examination. The NAN
object has been the attainment Of exact accuracy
u end of course out Of the question, since the ial
cf Adain-so that not even a partial error should
escape correction A very fow statements disappear
beneath the touch of rigid historical criticism
foHie new topics admitted; and in many cases,
the form of expression is modified, and. as IS per-
laps inevitable with an authors later judgments on
his own writings, not away. for the better.
Tie Introduction to the first volume, dated III
1854, which is a masterpiece of compact and lucid
statement describing the condition of the country
at that time. is retained without the change OF a
word. The first chapter. however, shows many in-
por;ant alterations. For instance the detailed az
euIncnt against the discovery OF the Continent by
the Northnen prior 10 Columbus, is reduced to Il
single paragraph rs follows The enterprise Of
Columbus the most memorable maritime enterprise
in the history Of the world, formed between Europe
and America the communication which Will never
cease The story of the colonization of America by
Northmen rests on narratives NEUROLOGICAL IN form,
and obscure in meaning; ancient, yet not contem-
porary The intrepid mariners who colonized Green
LAND could easily have extended their voyages to
Labrador and have explored the coasts TO the south
Of it, No clear historic evidence establishes the
natural probability that they accomplished the pas
saae and 10 yestige of their presence on our conti-
nent has been found" The alleged discoveries Of
Verrazzani the Florcntine navigator in 1924, which
are fully described in the original edition, with an
ollusion to the uncertainty of the traditions, and
the obscurity of the accounts respecting his life,
now entirely disappear in the light Of snbse-
Guent research. With such pregnant omission, an
explanatory sentence or two, might not have been
out OF pace.
The Fifth Chapter which, apropos of the colonial
ton of Virginia presents a succnct history OF saN-
ery and the slave trade condensing voiumes Of re-
search within the compass of few pages. has been
suhiected 10 severe revision although no essential
change has been made in its method or the charac-
Ter and bearing of its stateuonts. Several new
s,;,tegces are introduced with admirable effect,
coYfrmiug the positions OF the original text. In
proof that Grecian slavery regarded as inher-
emily unjust a singuiariy apt quotation from a
comedy OF Philemon is now introduced for the trot
time: ga man, o my MASTER speaks slave
'because he is a slave does not cease 20 be man.
H. i. NJ the same flesh with y0n Nature does not