The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-04
coRcoRAN AND BANCROFT.

Mark ed Contrasts Between the Dead Pht-
Ianthropist aud the Living Historian.
Washington Letter in New Fork Sun.
The two men in private life who have been
most prominent in official circles at the capital
were Mr. Corcoran, whose funeral takes place
tomorrow, and George Bancroft. who will be
one of the pali-bearers Mr. Corcoran was
eighty nine on Dec. 81. and Mr. Bancroft ID
about two years younger. But. curiously
enough, Mr.. Bancroft has always regarded him.
SELF as much younger man than Mr.. Corcorau.
and his wonderful physical activity has borne
him out Ia the comparison. Mr.. Bancrofts
wiry vlgor elastic step and persistent horseback
riding, right along until this winter, have
naturally given the impression to all who did
not know to the contrary that he many
years SIR. Corcoran's junior When the Wash
ington Monument was dedicated the
anniversary of Washingtons birthday. just
three years ago. the two old men with snow
white heads were marked figures among many
distinguished Inen present at the ceremonies
Mr. Corcoran. though in good health at that
time. was o little rheumatic, and his steps
slow and careful. He was also stout, and less
active for that reason. All his movements were
those of dignity and deliberation, as seemed
especially belonging to his character. Mr.
Bancroft presented a strong contrast. He was
1.-the. slender and quick to get about. His step
could hardly have been more certain in his
youth. The SHOWS of eighty-four winters were
of boy IN his teens. The day
intensely cold the wind cut like a knife
and with all the heavy wraps nobody out that
The ceremonies at the monument were made
brief as possible. and the GRAFTON was delivered
in the House of Represen tatives. George Ban
croft muffied up in his fur-lined overcoat,
and sat through the ceremonies outside. Then
he went to the Capitol and remained there until
the last word said. Mr. Corcoran did the
same, but the next day Mr.. Corcoron and dozens
of other men younger and stronger were laid up
with colds, threatening pneumonia. Aside from
the bitter cold weather, the ceremonies were
long, and fatiguing, and there was no surprise
when it was known that MIR. Corcoran and others
were made ill. The surprise was that Mr.. Ban
croft was not i'll, also. But Mr.. Bancroft was
as well as ever, and was ont making the round
of Cabinet receptions the very next day.
He was at Secretary FrellnRhuysen's house
with crowd of young people, and sone of them
said:
ooh, Mr.. Bancroft, everybody thought you
would be ILL., too But you must at least have
been very tired 1t was very long and fa-
tiguing ceremony, and such an awful cold day,
you know"
mot Dit tired" he answered in light tone,s
with a good deal of youthful ring in it II new
er enjoyed anything more in my life, and with
less fatigue. l was never more comfortable,
either. Was it really very coldl was well
wrapped up in my fur great coat, you see, and
didn't feel the cold st all AS for being III, why,
never felt better in my life. But am sorry
10 hear that nv friend. poor old Mr. Corcorans
1t is not improbabe that Mr.. Corcoran himself
often had evidence that Mr.. Bancroft did not re-
aze the very slight disparity of years in their
much mutual admiration as we'll. Mr. Corcoran
laughngly said one day not long ago, in refer
ence to MIR. Bancrofts activity and his own fee-
bleness:
They say Mr.. Bancroft has legs and no head,
and that have head and no legs
The aged historian has been seen at evening
parties b1t seldom this winter. He has not been
quite un his old spirit of day visiting either,
and was not often seen in afternoon drawing
rooms. Horseback riding. formerly his delight
on fine winter days, was given up too who can +
doubt how reluctantly Il may be that. later
on, when the spring days tempting. the
weli-known horse and rider attended by the
faithful groom, will be again his favor
ite route, leading along Connecticut avenue out
to the wooded hills hey oud the city. It will soon
be time for the hyacinths, always the first
in Washington 10 dazzle with their colors
the little bit of ground in front of the Ban i
croft house H street In the garden
at the back of the house Mr.. Bancroft has early
roses-May roses, blooming before he goes to
summer at Newport with the June The
old gentlemanS heart everybody knows, is
still young and full of sentiment Writing his
tories has been work of the head, and has left
untouched the youthful sentiment of his heart.
II is not long ago that a young woman called on
Mr.. Bancroft to get word of information in
regard to particular historical fact. Mr.. Ban
croft was engaged, and sent his regrets by the
servant. with the request to call again, naming
the time for the visit. But that notalL The
servant held full rose in her hand, sweet and
fresh from the bush. .'And Mr.. Bancroft beRs
you will accept q rose. one he picked this morn
ing in his own garden"