Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-02-24

employed TO mock, arrange anu aDEOtatc
his vast collection and divide it into his
torical, ethnographical, biographical and
| physical divisions, and to draw there
from the facts and data necessary
TO his task. We turn TO consider rather
the work itself-the result of the fine tastes
of a gentleman of eulture-the conEribu-
ton of a Californian to the literature of
his country, the gift of an unselfsh man to
the historical records of a nation as yet
upon the threshold Of life and action. The
five frat volumes of the work, which in
clude history of the native races of the
Pacific coast, have been already noticed at
length in these columns, and analysed in
critical reviews. Our present purpose is
to depart from that style. We desire
rather to inform our readers as TO what the
more recent volumes IN the series of the
| History OF the Pacific States of North
America are. Our purpose is not now to
consider Mr. Bancroft's methods of treat.
ment, his style or his literary ability. Un-
| ill another date let these matters rest
We prefer to invite the attention
10 the book as it is, that our readers
may understandingly enter upon its pcs
session. Let it be prefaced that the work
will by estimate embrace 80 volumes, and
that these will include the history of all
the Pacific States from Central America to
Alaska, and will after that include vol
ume on California Pastoral, one entitled
California Inter Pooula, one on Popular
! Tribunals, one containing Essays and Ms
cellsny, and one on Literary Industries
! This gives, with the five volumes first
issued, complete work, the value of which
is not now to be measured. It will be the
privilege of future generations to place the
! proper estimate upon the work to which
| this gentleman has devoted his life; a
work that is as attractive for its literary
STYLE as it is valuable as an addi-
| ton to tue worlds historical treasures
The history of Csntrsl America is to be
| comprised in three volumes, the first of
which is before us. In the preparation of
this history some 20, 900 volumes were con-
suited, and from this single fact may be
gathered some idea OF the magnitude OF the
/ enterprise, and account, in part at least,
for the methods employed to accomplish it
within lifetime, for it must be evident
that no one man could have passed faith
| fully over such ground and have simulta-
neonsly made up the record. Precisely for
that reason the history series contemplated
by Mr.. Bancroft could never have been
prepared had he not adopted the system he
did of engaging in the work a number of
assistants, who carry out the conception
that is his alone, and every line OF whose
work passes under the masters eye and is
prepared according TO the model and out
| line he has given, while all the more i'm
portant commentaries come from his pen
! direct. as we understand it. But for this
| ho hIornr-T Of (, MIR u
! America must have remained as heretofore,
in diverse records, scattering volumes, de-
caying manuscripts, incomplete documents
and abbreviated sketches, finding lest
form only in a few historical works that
have been recognized as the more or less
complete labors of men OF lofty genius.
| We find in the volume nearly 100 pages
of authorities consulted, and learn from
| the authors explanations that the entire
| list would have incumbered $50 other
pages had all been given. II is to be
easily seen, therefore, wherein the Eastern
reviewer was at error In charging that some
recognized authorities had not been read
by Mr.. Bancroft. The first volume en-
braces the period between the years 1901
and 1880, and opens with general view of
civilization at the beginning of the six
teenth century. The history begins at the
time when CASTLE and Aragon were
the dominant powers of Europe, and a pre-
factory glance is had at the originof the
Spaniards from whom sprang those whose
fortunes in the new world the book follows.
We have consideration of the development
of Spanish character, and by which we
gain a clearer view of the conditions sur.
rounding the people who entered upon the
conquests in America. We are introduced
into the religion, the social status, the bar.
barisms, the domestic life and daily habits
and customs of the people. Then follows
this introduction the history proper, be.
ginning with summary of the early voy-
ages, Illuminated by maps and charts, and
by which summary we gain an insight into
the slave trade, the Columbian epoch, and
come finally to the first voyage Of Colum-
bus, and then that of Vespucci, and the
fourth voyage OF Columbus, the discovery
of the Pacific, the Pacific coast explora-
tious, the discovery of Lower California, the
invasion of New Mexico, and the discovery
of California and Arizona. Our author re.
turns from these necessary digressions to
the year 1852 in the second chapter treat.
ing Of Columbus, his discovery and his mis-
taken ideas. We are taken along delightful
paths of narrative, with borders OF COM
ment, to the meeting between the natives
and the Spaniards, to the consideration OF
Columbus as ruler, and to the fervld de-
scriptions of the wondrous beauties OF the
Isthmus and the discovery of Darien by
Bastidas in two caravels. From this on we
do not have space nor deem it necessary TO
follow the author in detail in his analysis OF
Irving and Prescott, whom he criticises
with boldness, and yet gently, end as one
conscious of duty under the truth nor to
proceed with him in his account OF the
Spanish colonial system of the Govern
ments of Nueva, Andalucia and Cas-
tilla Del Orc; of the early set.
Element of Santa Maria de la
Antigua Del Darien OF the wars
and conspiracies of the period of the
discovery of the Pacific in September,
1913, b. Waco Nunez de Balboa !;
of the governments established on
the Isthmus; Of the Spanish depredations
around Panama Bay or Of the colonial
tion Of Honduras and the expedition to
Salvador, described near the close of the
volume It must suffice to say that Ia
romantic interest the book has marvellous
charm in the narrative art the author is
al dIC III TIC SOAcAuSl4ltC SOh0AetchS
and the weighing Of motives he proves
himself possessed Of those Judicial qualities
so essential to the historian. The book
reveals broad plan. perfect in detail. and
without involvment. 1t is a romance with
no violation of the real, brilliant picture
with no objectionable over. color. 1t is a
work demonstrating that the author is OF
an analytical mind, reads nature by
the light of nature, and rises superior
TO preiudices and creeds, to doctrines and
beliefs, TO superstition and legend, in mis-
evolution of truth from the tangled web Of
the past. Il indicates what mine of his
toric wealth the series viii constitute
when complete, and how rich a contribu.
ton to the historic knowledge of the world
ne is making. For the young man and
woman these volumes should be es-
pecially attractive, and we can scarce
| conceive of any literary student or thou phE.