Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-05
BANCROFT, THEHISTORIAN.
A Pen Picture of the Venerable Writer
Modern Life and Longevity

Bancroft, the historian, is one of the
most noticeable figures in Washington
society, writes correspondent of the
New York World. The remarkable
preservation of his vigor at the ad-
yanced age of 81 years is what makes
him most interesting He is not the
most charming conversationalist in the
world. He fairly roars as he talks. He
appears always as if he were address
ing someone dozen yards away. He
shouts several sentences at a friend in
this high key and then without waiting
or listening to anyone else he moves to
address someone else. He calls as
much as the most active society young
man. He darts in and out of the lead
ing houses of the town with light skip
that is almost offensive in its exuberant
agility. This veteran still has a slim
erect, figure. His legs are straight.
There is no weakness there. He holds
himself together with all that goes to
make good military set-up. He is es-
pecially agile in the presence of ladies,
and under the inspiring glance of
lovely society bud the veteran curvets,
SHES, and skips with the lightsome
grace of some of the thoroughbreds he
has been so fond of riding in the past.
This is picture of him as saw MIN
the other day: He sat in a low, easy
pony phaeton drawn by stout black
horse, wearing plain, unornamented
harness. Just back of him in the rum
bic sat his favorite colored groom, who
held the reins over the historians left
shoulder. The old man wore a dark
blue untrimmed Prussian officers cap
pulled well down upon his cleaning
eyes, looking out through a huge pair
cf round, heavily gold-mounted glasses
resting upon a real hawk nose. A
snowy-white, silky mustache and beard
brought out his high fresh color, and
stood out in strong contrast with the
dull black of his heavy pilot-cloth over
coat, while about his legs was an af-
CHAN of red, black, and yellow wor-
steds. 1t was q warm, sunny day. His |
horse logged along with a steady gait,
while the veteran roared soliloquy at |
his servant about his calling places. |
The man leaned forward deferentially |
and superintended the calling list.
When he said stop the veteran would |
throw aside his afghan and skip up the
steps, seeming to restrain himself bya
effort from turning handsprings on his
way.
Mr.. Bancroft lives a very regular
life, and as he has always taken a great
deal of outdoor exercise, it is not hard
to account for his long life. He has
never burdened himself with work. He
has been all his long life writing his
tory that could have been written in
ten years with moderate labor. One
page of manuscript day of 250 words
ne regards as good days work Mr..
Blaine. his fellow-historian, man in
he full vigor of his life, regards ! 900
words day as all any man can be ex-
oected to do well for period of pro-
racted work. Think of this, oh! mer-
,iless editors, who crack the whip over
reporters!
Up to the close of last fall he has al
Ways devoted several hours a day to
lorseback-riding. He has ridden young
lancing thoroughbreds. 1t has been
! theory with his friends that he would
'e killed some day by his devotion to
his class of horsetlesh. but he has very
,ood fortune. He had very narrow
scape this winter, and that, with an
'ther misfortune, has put an end to his
iding for the winter. One horse he
lad sent to him from Kentucky he ask
d his groom to try for him before
mounting. This was an unusual re-
uest, as the old gentleman generally
ries his own horses. The horse show
d bad temper from the start, reared so
as to fall over backwards,
early killing the groom The second
enture was also Kentucky one This
ost MIR. Bancroft $1,000. The horse
Tent dead lame soon after the purchase
nd is considered almost a total loss.
]pon the vicious horse he got his mon
y back. Mr.. Bancroft expects to re-
ume his horseback rides in the spring.
Several gentlemen in Speaker Car
isles rooms were talking of Bancroft
md other old men who have passed be-
-ond 80. 1t was evident from the cases
eported with the personal knowledge
II the men present that the conditions
# modern life are favorable to longevi-
v. One gentleman from Maine told of
eeing at Topsham, in that state, in the
ecent campaign, six men who were
'ver IS, while one on the stand was 80.
Another, Capt. Davis, aged 95, sent
,reetings, but was unable to come. An
)hio man spoke of Robert Crottie, who
ives near Toledo. He is 1O3. He
erved as lieutenant in the battle of
lake Erie. Mr.. Carlisle spoke of Capt.
Joe Blackburn S sfather-in-law.
Who danced at bail at the age of SO,
nd who sat out a great dinner gwen in
lis honor at Louisville upon his Tooth
He is yet living. Itwas on
Y the other day that Gen. Harvey, of
he army. aged 81, married. What a
lie is the old saw, ..Go it while you are
'oung, for when you are old you
ant"