Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-04-03
\ TALK WITH BANCROFT.
The Aged Historian Describes Ills Way
OF Life ana Chats of his Literary work.

Born only nine months later than the
present century. it seems almost incrcd-
lbI f..at one ,hould find George Bancroft
still busy with bis pen, much less laying
ont new literary plans.
what do do all day. he said in "a
recent interview. 81 am an early riser
you know and after breakfast ! read all
the morning until after luncheon, with the
exception Of an hour or two when write.
In the afternoon, if the weather is favor
able take my daily walk or drive, and
by 9 o'clock ! ann in bed No; never
work or read ut night. II is bad for the
eyes and worse for the mind The morn
ing is the only time 10 exercise the brain
when will finish my history That
] cannot tell, but do aittle at it al the
time. Just now am studying Polk. for
some time ] want 30 write history of
that President. There are all his diaries,
rointing TO a row of seventeen large red
bound books "ln those books are all the
personal writings of his daily life, which |
was privileged TO have copied from the
original drafts preserved by us family,
Yes, there is a mass Of it, but it is all
valuable material ! hope to make his life
an interesting one, for there is much TO be
told.
II cannot be said to follow the present
day literature very closely. Ny mind is
in the past and in my work; bat there is
great deal Of valuable work being done.
To my mind the world Is growing better
every day As for our country, think it
has Just begun It's course. IT. future is
brilliant Yes, America is the empire
land of the world
why look, a few hundred years ago the
English language was spoken in only al
small island not ~ large as most Of our
states Now, hiuk Of the great countries,
where Il is the common vernacular Of the
millions. and Washington, beautiful
Washington, has changed 20 in the last
fifty years Why, no one would recognize
IN the tlawiess broad avenues, the pictur
esque parks, the magnificent public build
ings the former site Of Washington rs first
knew IT, Washington was only q small
country village with big possibilities be-
fore her
"But you haven't seen my roses, he
added quickly az he drew from the table
drawer a catalogue Of plants Indeed. !
have the lovehest ones IN the world; in
TACT, raise none but the finest and most
perfect. You should see my conservatory
at Newport to learn what perfection Of
beauty can be had in flowers
i am fond very fond Of company.
especially that Of young people, and love
to watch them, to talk to them. see their
roses of youth blooming in the genial sun
shine Of happiness An, yes, youth is the
timeof pleasant dreams, yet old age has its
recompense Of quiet aud well-earned rest
VIII write my own lifeY No, not
that know Of at present. All the letters
] wrote TO my family during my foreign
mission were destroyed. It's pity, toe,
for would like to have them now
"And seeing his visitor Preparing to
leave be rose and. slowly walking TO the
door. stood watching her down the stair
way A striking picture was that the
slender. bent form; crowned with snowy
locks. with the bright light from the
window touching it with a softening halo
and the dark background Of the wall
Of books. thedark mantel and the amould |
ering fire.