New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-28
NEW PUBLICATIONS,
NEW HISTORY OF AMERICA

Gao. Houghton, Mhin n Co.
TIL. elaborate and valuable work on American
history undertaken by the learned librarian OIL
Harvard and the richly equipped Riverside Press is
q monument of research labor, and hbeTality Oh
which editor and publishers have almost equal
reason to he proud 1t is to embrace eight large
yommes of which the second is the earliest III
order of publication Volume l., on pre-Columo'ah
America beng held back to await the results OF
investigations now IN progress. Inc type ana
printing are worthy of house which makes
beautiful printing work of love and artistic cult
nre The illustrations, numerous even to pro-
fuson include copies of rare portraits, autographs
nuaint and suggestive cuts from early narratives,
Photographic reductions of texts and ttle-pages,
and in particular, remarkable collection OF early
mans: and the scholar will observe with satisiac-
ton that all purely decorative and imaginative
pictures. except those of antiquarian Importance
have been excluded. Most of the drawings and
fac-simios are from rare sources. and few will be
familiar to the general student In a word. the
mechanical execution and establishment of the
work are all that the most Sanguine can have eA-
pected from the prospectus.
Mr. Winsors plan of composition IS IN some
respects novel. He assumes that the extension OF
research and the enormous accumulation OF hatcilaI
in widely separated collections have maze IL
physically impossible for any ore man 10 treat
long period of history with the minute care Whloh
modern theories of historical composition demand
If history is to be brought into line with the other
sciences the cooperative method must DC aPpHeu
10 the investigation and arrangement OF the facts
upon which il rests the field must be divided among
n number of specialists and the chez OF the lorce
will edit history instead of writing 1t. In theory
tbisis somethng like the plan of Mr. Ii. ii. Bancrots
vo,t series of books on the history OF the PacIic
Coast except that Mr.. BancIoft's anonymous writers
are not always or perhaps usually entitled to the
rank of experts while Mr.. W:nsOr boasts that he
has secured the services of the most eminent
historical scholars of all sections OF the country
and the chosen representatives OF learned ana
historical societies in the United states. mus Ill
the present volume the chapter on Columbus IS
written by Mr. Winsor; that on Nespuccl by
Sydney Howard Gay; the Companions OF Columbus
are treated by Mr.. Edward Claiming of Harvard;
the early history of exploration in Florida has been
committed to the experienced hands of john
Culinary Shea: DIR. George f. Ellis writes OF Las
Casas. and the Relations of the Spanards to the
Indians: Mr. Winsor undertakes Cortes and bis
Companions: the Early Explorations OF New
Mexico (which here take the proper and prominent
Mace denied them in many of our HISTORIES are
described by Henry w. Haynes Clements X. Marx
ham, Secretary of the liakluyt Society, writes OF
pi.arro and the Conquest and Settlement OF Peru
and Chilli and the Rev. f.. L. Hale contributes
CHAPTER on Magean's Discovery. The narrative
produced by these cOllaborators exhibits great
dyersities of style and manner but we areJusthedm
assuming that each man has thorough familiarity
with his own section, and has presented the very
latest fruits of research III connection with IT,
The Distinguishing and novel feature of Mr.
Winsor's plan. however, is the addition to each
chapter of the narrative of an exhaustive critical
essay on the authorities consulted IN it, an essay
which We cannot describe more justly than III the
words of the prospectus
II will describe the original sources OF the pre-
ceding narratve-manuScrpts, monuments, alch
geological remains-with accounts oil thcli d!scoV-
ery their transmission TO later times, their NlcIss-
tuoes as well the places. libraries, museums
etc, where they are TO be found or are preserved
the character and lives OF those who nave dlsc0N-
cred gathered and made use of them for historical
results: the writers, contemporary early, ana late
who have become authorizes on Ihe seNeral SUP uL
iects with their opportunities and htness TOT tue
study of them societies formed for furtheIlng these
studies; and finally critical statement OF existing
knowledge and OF the CONDITIONS laNOTaDie OF uu-
favorable to further advance
The ESSAYS and the numerous and extended bib
biographical and illustrative notes supply all that Is
here promised. and perhaps even more. We may
not be quite ready to accept the assurance OF MI.
Winsor that the critical analysis Of the essayist
will always suffice 70 correct any bias on the part OF
the narrator; Mr.. Winsor himself for instance has
bias against Columbus, and he has not corrected 1t
by his critical analysis of the sources OF his own
narrative: but he has pointed out the means by
which we may correct it If we choose to make an
jpdependent study Of the authorities. The volume
aud minuteness of the information furnished by
these essays especially in the department OF BIB
biography. are almost bewilderng Without re-
fectimg upon the narrative chapters we must say
that the essays and notes constitute by far the
Of
which give it place of its own apart from ana loI
snecal puTposes superior to- all other tcatiscs on
American history. 1t is hardly too much to say
that if carried through with the care OF which the
first instament gives promise, 1t will be ludlspen'
able TO American historians. The student VIII una
in il descriptive index of books and documents
which he needs for the investigation OF particular
period so that large part OF the chief labor OF
writing history from original sources, namely, the
discovery and collection of materials, VIII be
already done to his hand. The editor does net over
estimate the practical value of such repertory Of
exact learning 1t is what historical writers have
long needed Ii il llbOr-Saying compendium OF
the highest efficiency.
Mr. Winsors anticipation that "when the
superiority of the cooperative method Is July
understood the individual historian, If he ventures
forth at ALL will be read for entertainment rather
than profit need not alarm the lovers OF literature
Even if the business of hunting ann storing up
averifabe facts should be absorbed by enter
prising partnership concerns, like that now under
consideration there is no fear of our future Ban
crofts and Parkmans being thrown out of employ
ment The individual historian will undoubtedly
venture forth; and he will not find that MI.
W,nsor has chilled his welcome. There will still he
ample demand for the higher qualities, artistic and
philosophical which distinguish the accomplished
historian from the industrious annalist Sklliul
selection and arrangement OF the yerihable facts
acorrect perception of their significance and mutual
relations, a clear and vivid narrative, broad out
look over fields of action, comprehension OF the
causes and tendencies of events and OF the inilu-
epces which have affected the destnies of States,