New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-18
OBITUARY.
TIE REV. JOHN S. C. ABBOTT, d. D.
NEw-HAvEN, Conn.,, June 1.-THE Rev.
John s. c. Abbott D. D., died to-day at his late rest
dence in Fair Haven.

Not many days ago John Lothrop Motley
died In England. In the death OF the Rev John s. C.
Abbot another American historian has passed from
among the living While the writings Of Mr.. Abbott
have been accorded prominent position, as con-
trbutiOns 10 historical literature, which Mr. Motleys
hold by the consent Of the most learned men,
OF them widely read and the name OF
the writer is probably universally known HIS MS
tories have found especial popularity among young
people and in the general reading classes OF all paris OF
the country Few scboolboys have not read his Life
OF Napoleon L." and when it fret appeared In serial
numbers in HGpsr's Magazine degree OF interest was
created which has few parallels in the experience OF
magazine publishers in this country One OF the late
Harper Brothers said 10 Mr. Abbott, while the work was
running in the Mdgasihe, You making us rich; we
getting quantities OF letters every day from people
who write 10 subscribe for the Nagdrne and who wish
their subscriptions TO begin with Life OF Napoleon
Mr.. Abbott belonged 70 distinguished colonial family
OF New-England, many members OF which have been
well known for their literary work: tie name was orlsi-
nally spelled Abbot, and one Of tho family stu re-
ans that FORM Jacob the eldest Of three brothers. was
born at HaIlowe Ne, in 1893; John Stephens CABOT
at Brunswick, Me-, 1905, and Gorham Drummer, also
at Brunswick 1907. They all living until yes
terday when John s. c. the first to dc. JACOB
studied divinity but soon took up the profession OF
teacher which ne abandoned few years later and be-
came a writer Of books for the young. lie has pub
lshcd marvellous quantity OF such complete cata-
logue Of subjects would exceed 200 titles Among
the best known Of them are the Harpers
story Books" (32 vols) aud tho " Rollo Books
t2S vOsl H. has four sons, who are wen
wn-Benamn Vaughan and Austin the New-York
lawyers. who have published several legal reatises'
compilations. and dgcsts the Rev. DIR. Lyman who has
published books and il the associate editor
OF The Christian URioH and Edward one Of the editors
of The R05f0n CongrcgatonGlisL Gorham Drummer
Abbot brother o. Jacob and John s. c. pastor Of
the Presbyterian church at NewRochalle In 1Sl, but
has been engaged teacher and an editor and
writer.
John s. c. Abbott was OF that distinguished class
OF 1925 Bowdom College which held its semicenten-
NAL three years ego Henry W. Longfellow, Nathaniel
Hawthorne George Checver, and Jonathan Cilcy were
among its members. Franklin Pierce ana William Pitt
Fessenden were IN college at the same time Unin he
went TO co ege Mr. ADbot's life passed at his home
in Maine, for which State he retained through all DIS
after lie a close ard afectonate attachment He had
listed almost every State in the Union and many
countries Of Europe but moved to say only few
months ago that the rocl-bound, silent bays which
fringe the seacoast Of Mlne her mountains forests,
lakes "ths combination Of tie sublime and the beaut-
fnl can scarcely be surpassed. if eqnaled, in any
other country on this globe" Ho fond Of Win
ter sports in his boyhOod. and with other chit
dFen Of the town made huge excavations in the
mammoth snow-lrifts, with halls, corridors and
rooms, all carpeted and lighted satisfy the i'm
aginauons which Arabian stories had inspired
After leaving Bowdoin College Mr.. Abbott studied
theology at the AndOver Seminary, and was ordained
minister Of the Congregational faith In 1880. lie
preached at Worcester, R0Xbury, aud Nanucket Mass
At Worcester IN re organization known as Tie
Maternal Society, aud at their solicitation he wrote
number OF articles the relations Of mothers to Their
homes. Tho articles af.erward 1883 printed IN
book form under The title "The Mother at Home" The
book had an immense sale Mr.. Abbott aftcrward said
woke up AMI found myself famous" II was his first
venture and one " the most successful of his life.
London magazine. IN reviewing il, said: There has
never be ore perhaps, issued from the press work so
important to mothers as the before The author
las shown himself master Of his subject. and he has
treated it with Equal deicacy and force II was repuO
shed very soon Calcutta for the use OF missionaries
afterward in Athens aud COnsantinOple, and II Asia
aud Africa and has been translated into nearly oil The
languages modern Europe The BOOK is still in print
and sells we'll Not long after the first publication Of the
work The Child az Home" made its appearance. and
was well received
In 1874 Mr. Abbott relinqnshed his pastorate at Nan
tncket and devoted himself exclusively 10 literature
Since then he has 1T different times resumed bis min ste
rial bOr for brief periods In 1868 he acted as aied
supply at New-IIivcu. VITA very few exceptions the
books that he nov hogan write historical in their
subjects They have come forth with lavish profusion
and mum Der IN an more than 60 volumes, not including
an amos, innuLcrlbe quantity Of newspaper and mag
azine a,tcl-s As volumn0us writer ne will probably
rank with sthcr and Scott with the exception OF En-
q s history there scarcely theme in European MS
tory that Le has not touched upon. Probably his Life
of NAPOLEON l." is the known OF anything he has
written II has been read universally. but It doubtful
if any work If recent times has been unsparlngy
criticised by learned and careful men. It is
vivid picture Of NlpOe0n's great career and no
writer not even Hazl;t, has gone further in extenu-
atng those blemishcs his lie which the best judg-
nlent Of the world has condemned IS monstrous ana
cruel For young people IL has had an unusual charm,
owing to the and inspiritng STYLE in which 1t Is
written A student OF Napolcons career has remarked
that the book Is just such one Napoleon himself
could have wished 10 have circulated IN France Tor pop
ular readna In 1865 he published Life of Napoleon
ILL., and the Emperor sent him an autograph letter
and handsome ties in )nia Among other French top
les on which he has written are History OF tue
French Revolution OF 1889 :" Napoleon az St. Helena"
consisting OF anecdotes and of the Empe
ror during his captivity; Life Of Josephine" with
her confidential correspondence with Napoleon, aud
lives OF Madame Roland, Marie Antoinette, and Henry
w. There is in press from him Z" History OF
France IRON the Earliest Periods TO the Present Time"
In 1866 Mr. Abb0,ts History of the Civil War" APP
peared IL was in two volumes and has had a sale OF
100000 copies. In 1870 appeared his "RO"ance Of
Spanish History" and IN 1871 his History Of Frederick
theGreat" Among other works Kings and Queens"
practical Christianity" and History OF Italy, from
the earliest times In company with his brother Jacob
he has published a series of books called Illustrated
Histories" making set Of 80 volumes. They include
lives Of nearly all the great historical heroes OF ancient
and modern times. They have been very popular with
the Young. and have had an extensive circulation.
Mr. Abbott has had ten children. one Of his daughters
MARI ed Dr. Buck. OF the well-known surgeon OF
thar name another the wife OF Oliver Johnson, the
journalist; aud q third married Mr. Mead OF the pub
lisnlng firm Of Dodl, Mead Co. He has been living
several years at Fair Haven Conn., and for ten months
past has been confined to his house. His time has been
taken up with his books and his pen. Writings OF his
have occa.ionnly appeared In TIE present year IN