The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-26
WESTINGHOUSE LITERARY WORKS.
The Labors ofMr. Bancroft, Mrs. Southworth,
and other Litterateurs of the Capitol.

The Labors ofMr. Bancroft, Mrs. Southworth,
and other Litterateurs of the Capitol.
Washington Letter.
Mr. Blaine will not be alone in his literary la
bors in Washington when he returns and re-
sumeS work on history. Washington has some
very noted writer's of books And it is a sineu-
lar coincidence, if nothing more, that two of the
best known of these are winding up their liter
airy labors by cutting down nearly one-half the
work of their earlier years. Mr.. Bancroft, the
eminent historian, whose history of the
United States, in ten volumes, has so
long been considered a standard, is closing up
his long life of labors by cutting his ten volumes
down to six. His last revision" as he terms it,
is nearing completion, and he is rejoicing
in it. The great work is to be finished by the
coming spring, and then he expects to ''take n
rest" And it is about time, for he is now in his
eighty-fifth year. HE is as bright and cheerful
as ever" said friend, who had Just come from
spending an afternoon with him. talking to
your correspondent ut is perfectly wonder
full, the health and vigor and elasticity,
and even boyishness, that that man retains. He
is as young in his feelings and habits as most
men at half his age Strong. hea!thful, cheerful
in the extreme, full of talk upon the topics of
the day. it is hard to realize, except from his
very white hair and beard and the wonderful
fund of information which he has accumulated
in mis- long life that you are not talking to a man
about fifty-fve or sixty. He is looking forward
with great glee to the end of his work of revision
of the history. He says he is going to play then
for the remainder of his life"
''About time for him to stop work, is it not,
at the age of eighty fourP
Eyes, and after half century of work upon
this one topic. 1t is full half century since he
began his work upon the History of the United
States"
''And how is the revision affecting it, espe-
cially the revision by man of such great age}'
''It is improving it; making it more concise
and generally acceptable AS to his age that
does not affect his literary labors at ALL except to
improve them by the added experience and rich
ness of the material from which he draws as he
works. His mind is as clear and strong as ever
and his manner of writing as full and vigorous
and dignifed as at any time in his remarkable
career"
docs he ntrust much OF his work to othersl'
''None at ALL except that he dictates part of
what he writes. He has two secretaries, one of
whom is a stenographer and dictates to them
considerable portion of his work on the history,
and most of his private correspondence, which,
of course, is heavy. In no other sense, however,
does he intrust his work to others He revlses
his own proofs, and does all ofthe work of cut
ting down and revising upon the work itself"
Does he keep up his habits of hard work
which have characterized his life and made 1t
such SUGGEST"
Eyes, he il an early riser and hard worker.
He is usual up between-6 and o'clock break
fasts Nightly. at half-p g. and then goes to
work. He works steadily until the afternoon,