The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-31
OBITUARY..

a capio despatcn from LONDON aunounces 'no ooa'u
OF John Lothrop Motley, one of the most remarkable
OF American historical writer's. Tho OF his de-
mise was paralysis He expired at the residence OF hs
son.n-law, Mr. Algernon Sheridan, Russell House,
KINGSTON Dorsctshre fEnglandl He was born at Dor
chester Mass, April l5 1Sl4 Alter having graduated
q. Harvard College, 1881, no undertook to complete
his education in the great universities OF Europe,
whence he derived that breadth OF view, orii-
fancy and pictorial power for which his works
are justly famed He went first TO Goettingen
thence Berlin, afterward visiting Italy and Southern
france. Returning to the United States IN 1857 ne
studied law and was admitted TO the Bar OF Massachu-
settg He abandoned the practice OF law. now
sv.r and then began that literary career which has
placed his namc foremost among the writers OF MS
tory. His name will be remembered and his fame VIII
be MS enduring as those of Prescott whom he sue
cccded as member OF tho French Institute; Guzot
Macauay and Bancroft He began issuing
oovel entitled '.Morton's Hope; or. The Memoirs OF
Young Provincial" In 1910 Mr. Webster appointed
him secretary to the Russian legation, but he did not
long hold the position. 'Merry Mount, Romance OF
The Massachusetts, Colony, published IN lS49, was MS
next work. Meanwhile, tho best American reviews
were enriched with articles from his pen Hoi-
land attracted his attention and he began to
write q history OF that country. When he had
written two volumes OF the projected work he
won't 10 Europe to explore sources not accessible in
America A brief examination led him to reject ut
tery all that he had written with stern justice that
self love will always permit an author 10 carry out
FIVE years. labor then enabled him TO give 70 the
world his ssRise Of the Dutch Republic" which
appeared In London and New York 1856, and
at once placed him in the highest rank Of histori-
cal writer's both for research, philosophical judg
ment and picturesque style. An edition was
soon issued at Amsterdam, in English, fol-
tHy nIar
vision OF tho historian Bakhuyzen van den Brink.
who prcfxcd an Introductory chapter. German
translation was printed NJ Leipsic and Dresden,
French translation with introduction by Guzot, was
published In 1859 in Paris. another in Brussels In
ls59-6O II was also translated into Russian In 1860
Mr. Motley published the first two volumes OF the Sec
ond portion OF his work. entitled "The History OF the
United Netherlands, from the Death OF W william the
Silent to the Twelve Years Truce, 1902 and In 1867
was completed in two additional volumes. This
was followed In 1874 by 'The Lilo and
Death OF John Of Barncvcd, Advocate OF Hol-
land with view OF tho Primary Causes OF the Thirty
Years. War" In 1860 he received from tho Univer-
atty OF oxford the degree of D. CL, and an IL d.
rom Harvard Hc also received LII. d. from Cam
bridge University, England. In 1861 he published
paper in the London Times sThe Causes OF the
American Civil War; and in 1865 delivered before the
New York historical Society an address on 'iistorc
Progress and American Democracy"
The greatest work Of his life, the "Thrty Years
War;, on which he has been closely engaged since
1870 has yet been published, and 1t is to be feared
that it from being completed 1t was IN tins that
We expected TO see the maturity OF his judgment,
moro consistent style and the development OF that
faculty for vast research oreshadowed in his se Of
Tho Dutch Republic Motley was not always logical
frequently exaggerated the results without tracing
causes, but he was always brilliant always portrayed
with the facility artist IN whatever Colors
be considered most likely to interpret his meaning
Madame dc Stacl says that great historian is almost
lie TN
nudge justly of political events without
capacity TO conduct them. Motley. possessed
lamiliarized his mind with the customs and manners
oil tho various nations OF Europe. dc had an eittrce
IN. INTO o se'sy w ana the and
,ical all decatoly interviewer. He knew
Mocauey and rnacssray rroscols ana n Gui n,sa
literary characters OF Europe ana America. Their
Methods their tastcs their peculiar studies their hnb
ITS were Motley book, and with the aid Of
some OF them nc succeeded in unearthng many his
lorical gems which adorn the volumes bearins 10
name. His Introduction TO diplomacy gave him
ready IDEA Of the very trail structures upon
which governments are built, and the delicacy
Of the reins by which human societies held IN
check. He loved word painting, and there are few
knew better bow to infuse into dry historical
subjects an animation and interest which secure Pc
rusal and attention Like Prescott he dies at sixty
three leaving name that will shine forever among
the Instructors oil our race.
statesman. His diplomatic correspondence was
clear and unambiguous, full of strong points,
print OF ms polished tintccct ,and careful study.
during the trying times in 1866, when Napoleon H.
had set AZ defiance every institution which Aneri-
revcred. by iorcbly seizng the territory
Of Mexico and placing an Emperor there IN
HE person Of M,xm'i,.n, MIR: Motley per.
relations with Austria with considerable ski and hrm-
ness. Napoleon Uncovered his mistake in at
tempting TO ma uta.a Il foreign prince upon foreign
throne by The his cgons. and had promised 10
withdraw them. The Austrian government saw In
this menace to the life OF Hohenzoern, and orders
autye M pap
In place OF the force withdrawn by France Acting
under orders from the State Department. Motley wrote
Count Mcnsdorn then chief OF the Cabinet at VI
emma, what might be termed the uitimatum OF the
United States. II was vigorous defence OF the Monroe
doctrine. 1t condemned the false pride Of court
which could permit OF Its members 10 be placed
ut the mercy of Two foes that processing
moxt frendhness being really the most dan
gerous sPublic sentiment ii the United s.ates,''
SAID the Minister las to Intervention on the part OF
European governments and soldiers or the purpose Of
rcvoutonizlng the polity, subvertng the existing In
stitutions and controlling the destiny OF American re-
pubcs, has been manifested in every way in which 1t
rs possible 10 mako II known-by solemn resolutions
In Congress- by the uttcrances VI great public meet
ngs aud oy the general voice Of the American press
such interference was long ago proclaimed
she highest official authority. as OF necessity
10 be considered mancston oil an unhiendly dispo-
sl,ion toward the United States. The United Staios
maintain that the domestic republican government is
Tho only legitimate existing IN Mexico and tnoy
opposed to any further intervention" Count
Mensdorf's naughty reply has become matter OF his
tory but his government to the conclusion that
Dur government meant just what they said and were
wiling tho cause represented at tho point
81 the payoDet, II necessary
In dealing with Mr. Seward Mr.. Motley evidently felt
II, at toward the end OF his mission in Austria.
Mr. Seward wrote him that 1t had been represented TO
the State Department Mr.. Motley had said he despsed
American democracy, and loudly proclaimed that an
English gentleman the model Of human perfection.
some busy body had written from Paris. Motcy's
reply was truly characteristic SAID be, "Ths is
so ptlul fabrication that i blush while
! denounce IL. Any ono personally acquainted
with me or who has taken the trouble TO read my
writings. whether official HISTORICAL knows that
more icrvent believer IN American democracy than
am Toes not exist in the world. My expressions OF
reverence Tor the American people during the lew
years have erred, II ut ALL the side OF enthu
siasm and have often seemed TO the sceptical some
what extravagant. | scorn to dwell longer ON
this contemplate charge. That have called
Mr.. Seward hopelcssly degraded Is
vile caumny and wounds deeply
that you could listen for moment TO such alschood
In CONCLUSION, have only add that beg herewith
respectfully TO resign my post United states Minis
ter Vienna" Tho manlincss and courage displayed
rln