New-York tribune., 1880-04-06
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMER
IcA. & by IcsAsD hnDhEIA Revised edition. ovoS'
The elegant edition of this standard work
will welcomed to place in the library Of the hiSor
teal student by the side of the splendid volumes Of Mac
auay and Motley, recently Issued by the same publish
In many respects Mr.. Hidreth OF the most
remarkable of letters OF his day. Entering
the OF authorship at early he presented
example OF versatile and fruitful activity which has few
parallels IN the annals OF literature OF emneny
studOus habits, he permitted no day TO pass without
line from his pen in the composition OF books or the re-
cords of journalism. Although addicted To research and
study, he less distinguished for extent Of erulit0n
than for creative power TO large degree lie was want
ing in the faculty OF reverence and attached less I'M
portance to productions rper scholars than to the
suggestions OF his mind. HIS boldness and sHlf-con-
fdence gave expression Of originality to his writings
both in substance aud FORM The rapdIty OF his mental
operations something rare. often even wonderful.
The keenness of bis ntuitons matched by his alert
ness OF execution His acuteness of Judgment was not
less than prom ptness of his insight He seldom
deceived. seldom fell into error. seldom made false
estimate OF character events His imaginative power
surpassed 0y the clearness and subtety OF bis
perceptions. 1t not, however, manifested In the
form poetic Illustration, but in the vivid description
OF scenes and characters which had not come
under tho cOgnizance Of his senses Mr.. Hill
dreth often showed certain brusqucness or
manner which might sometimes have been thought
even to approach accrblty; but every one who knew
bim we'll of the innate kndness OF his dis
pOsit He would make sacrifice serve friend
He delighted in the reception o. sympathy, thou1h he
was lavish in its expression. Tie latter years OF
MI Hdretn's life were emblttcred by impaired health
and tile consequent disappointment Of his cherished in
telectual purposes. His sphere OF activity was tuS
moro limited than would seem to be indicated by his
term OF years. The History Of the United States
work which he had contemplated from an early period
OF his career and the preparation OF which he had
devoted the flower aud strength of his life. His object
was to present O concise narrative of events, free from
the discussion topics. and without the at
traction of rhetorical embellishments The amount or
information which is crowded within the limited com
pass OF his pages is Qalte extraordinary HIS style Is
plain and unadornea, almost to auscry. hut always
lucid aud n pressiva. His elucidItOn Of events ana lis
ANALYSIS OF character betrly deep insight and sound
Judgment. possessed the faculty OF comparison, IN
high of perfection and applied it to his MARIA
tive with mastery ssill HIS general accuracy. we be-
lieve, has never been impeachei. He was consceil
tous and faithful chronicr, equally free f,Um the ll
pulses enthusiasm and the illusions OF pairOtSm AS
a work OF reference, his history las peculiar yae
The brevity OF his statements, his abstinence from
theory speculation. and the simplicity o. his dctlnn
render him a safe and agreeable guidcin the labyrinth
OfncdentS He has won hOuorcd name ON the proud
list of American hsoians. and his work will occupy
permanent place the library OF scholars and ln-
teIligent readers