The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-11-19

impulse to prepare some historical wori
for the purpose Of making the treasure.
he had gathered more readily available
to the world. He therefore gave over
the active management of business te
his brother, though still retaining an in.
terest in it. He arranged his library in
the upper story of their building, and as
he secured competent assistants, careful.
ly indexed the whole, SO as to facilitate
his work. In fifteen years, besides the
cost of the library itself, he spent not less
than S3OO,OOO on labor connected with
his researches. In 1861 Mr. Bancroft
erected special library building 40x6O
feet and two stories in height. Here he
has placed not less than 10000 books,
maps and manuscripts relating to the
Pacific Coast; besides 400 files of news
papers. This library, unique in its ORR
gin, its purpose and its arrangement,
contains, besides standard authorities,
many photographic curiosities. There
are 200 volumes of manuscripts, includ-
ing many records of Mexican affairs in
the sixteenth century, the public archiv.
es of California and its chief towns, and
narratives of early settlers. The Ban
croft library is still growing at the rate
Of !, 900 volumes yearly. All this vast ar
ray of matter has been carefully digest
ed by the author, In fact, it may be said
that he has in his possession all the re-
mains of what has been written and
printed, which tends to throw anv light
on the subject of lis histories.
His researches have been particularly
to the gathering of material
facts for the first volume of the histories.
The libraries of civilization, the archiv-
es OF three countries have been ransack-
pd for data.
sCME REVIEWS.
Following the history of Columbus
early achievements is review of the
writings of Irving and Prescott, and then
comes review of the Spanish Colonial
system, in all of it's ramifications. In
this particular branch Of his work Mr.
Bancroft answering fairness is appar
cnt. His review is entirely achroma,;r
it is tainted neither with the race prejn.
lice Of Macauley, nor the religion, bigo-
Try of Whitaker. 1t is a fair reflex,
of things as they were, not as
Mr.. Bancroft would have them be. He
is no defender of clique or nation
though he handles the old heroes gently
and kindly. and lets the reader see that
if they were bit too little moved at the
sight of blood, it was only because they
in troubled times, ere Cervantes had
laughed the chivaIrous Hotspurs out
from old Spain.
The second volume of the historical
series commences the hi story of Mexico
from 1921 to 1923. 1t tells of the proud
power of Cortes, the humiliation Of the
Aztecs, the quarrels and jealousies of
Cortes' followers and how they forced
Cortes to assent to the torture of the ma
tives by suggesting when he demurred
that he was in league with Quahtemotzin
to conceal the treasure. 1t tells of the re-
building of Mexico, the preparation for
further conquest; the meeting witt: Chris
tianized Indians who had heard the
story of the Cross from castaway ship.
Of the troubles between Nelasquez and
l'nrtes down to the coming of .Jesllits to
New Spain
The whole of this volume is very inter-
esting. 1t is historical fact classified in
a fine mind. 1t is conclusive, exhaus-
live and accurate Enriched by the
most copious notes and references, it is
an essential to the student of history. and
now that the railroads are bringing Mex
leo next door, SO to speak, to the people
Of this country, it cannnt fail to be eager
" sought after. Following Mexico in
the series comes the later history Of Cen
trail America, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming.
Nevada, California, Oregon and
the Northwest Coast and Alaska. Tne
for all these is gathered. and
the books are on hand. With their
CON-, :,letion. the history Of the Pacific
States will be closed to date Mr.. Ban
croft's works should be found in every
school and every library in the land. To
it is necessity, to learning in
dispensib g. and to culture everywhere
most attractive.
Curtis on Cleveland.