Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-09-23
THE LATER HISTORICAL EFFORTS OF
HUBERT HOWE BAECRoFF,

Little was known of the historian of the
Pscifc coast prior to the publication of bis
Native Races" in 1875. In the first num-
Der OF the RECORD UNION of that year ap.
peared an article, full page in length, giving
an account OF the Bancroft Library, the
design of the founder, the rarities of the
collection, how the difficulties of utilizing
the information were overcome by means of
skilled assistants and q unique system of
indeSiag, and much other information con-
corning the author and his work.
Before the press generally had taken much
notice of it, the undertaking seemed to us of
sufficient Importance to justify our making
thorough examinst ion of Mr.. Bancroft's Gel.
lection and labors. 1t then seemed to us.
and we SO stated, that in the conception and
execution Of this work there was much which
was remarkable, much that would be re-
garded as remarkable In ages to come that
tins author was lsboriDg with diligence and
thoroughnesS not common even in the higher
walks OF literature and that in him united
complste mastery of mis- subjects with rapidi-
ty ct Workmanship quite unparalleled, and
possloie only through scientific process Of
study and classification.
An that we then said has come true. The
initial work of MIR. BaucrnfS's proposed series
90 the western half Of North America was
published during the year in five octave
volnmes, and was reviewed ut length by the
leading journals of the world, aud praised by
the foremost scholars And we are glad TO
be abie TO state that naturally robust con.
sltntion has 30 far safely carried the author
through thst excessive strain upon the men
tai powers which we feared might prove fatal
before the conclusion Of his labor. He has
been permitted 81 continue his writing almost
without interruptions during the seven years
succeeding our general notice ; and he is writ
ing still His corps of assistants is larger now
than ever before. and, if possible, more eff
Gent, experiences having taught them the best
methods by which to abstract and arrange
material for the author. The work OF collect.
ing has likewise continued. although the
earlier and more vigorous efforts seem to be
no longer required, as the library now contains
ample information to complete the proposed
ser1es 10 all its several parts. The whole
undertaking IN all its minor particulars has
assumed definite form ; the number of vol.
umes ia fixed and determined and three
fourths of them are either in print or ready
for the printer. We rejoice to say that this
herculesn task is already an ACCOMPLISHED
fact, and that, should the author be suddenly
called away, there is no doubt but that the
volumes will be regularly issued in accord
sncs with the plan announced-that is to say,
st the rate of volume every three or four
months, until the entire series il before the
world
There is another item of pleasing intelli-
genoa in this connection. Although private
collection the Bancroft library is OF almost as
much public utility as il it belonged to the
state. Indeed, it ia of far more public benefit
in tt e han OF 3D. enthusiastic worker than
1t would be in any other situation Lot 20
used. Lest year fire. proof brick building
wss erected by MIR. Bancroft o. Vslen il
stree, near its Jun ;tioa with Miss o .ps-
cially for bis library. Dnring the past fifteen
years the risk from FIRE has been lmuilent