Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-21
PoULrNEy siGELow's WORK.
He Is Preparing Comprehensive His
tory of the German Empire.
ISnecial Cnrresnnndencel

tory of the German Empire.
Especial Correspondence
New YORK, Aug. 3.-It is announced that
Mr.. Poultney Bigelow is preparing his
tory of the German empire, running back
to the time just preceding the accession of
Frederick the Great The work is one
which calls for extraordinary patience,
diligence and peculiar facilities in regard
to the inspection of manuscripts, records
and documents Probably no American
would be able to have these facilities given
to him to the extent that Mr.. Bigelow will.
Whether he has the patience to tell the
story of the creation of the German en-
pire, and to trace back those influences
which made the creation possible to their
sources, is a question which cannot be an
swered until his volumes appear His
friends in New York city believe that he
has the patience necessary to produce a.
great work of this sort, especially as he has
been an enthusiastic admirer of German
progress and of the German people, and
especially of the present German emperor.
Poultney Bigelow is New York boy.
He is the son of John Bigelow and inherits
his fathers literary tastes and capacities.
John Bigelow in some respects is one of
the most extraordinary men developed in
New York state. In his early days he was
well known as writer of grace and force,
and especially as an accurate student of Eu-
ropean politics. He became connected with
the New York Times, and was for while
it's representative man. He was in sympa-
thy in those days with the Republican par
ty, and it was on account of that sympathy
as well as his literary qualities that he was
sent to represent this government in for
eign courts. Afterward Mr.. Bigelow be-
came associated with Samuel J. Tilden, and
was one of the most sincere and enthusi-
astic admirers of that remarkable man.
To Mr. Bigelow Mr.. Tilden gave perhaps
more of his confidences than he ever be-
slowed on any other man, SO that Mr.. Bige-
low really became for number of years
one of Mr.. Tilden's family.
In his will Mr.. Tflden named John Bige-
low as one of his executors, and as one of the
trustees who had charge of the enormous
fund bequeathed for the creation of the
great public library in New York city. 1t
was in such associations as these that
Poultney Bigelow was reared. Even in his
childhood he was accustomed to hear dis
cussions regarding public men, both those
of Europe and those of this country, and
chats about policies of the men who were
controlling the affairs of nations. While
his father was abroad representing this
government, Poultney Bigelow was placed
in gymnasium in Germany, and there he
became acquainted with the lad who is
now the emperor of Germany.
A peculiar sort of friendship was struck
up between these schoolboys. They be-
came mates in their sports, and their init
macy was as free and as cordial as that of
chums in an American college. The young
German heir apparent had no idea then
that he would succeed to the throne until
after many years had elapsed. His father,
beloved of all Germans as "Our Fritz"
was in vigorous health, was young and
was deemed likely to enjoy long reign.
Young William thought that if he ever
became emperor or king it would not be
until he had become an old man.
After the series of strange fatalities
which in moment, so to speak, made the
lad William the emperor of all the Ger
man nation. he did not forget his old friend
Poultney Bigelow; and while he was, like
Frederick the Great, liable to say to other
old acquaintance who were disposed to
presume upon that friendship, 81 am en-
peror now," yet in his relations with
Poultney Bige1ow he was as nearly like the
schoolboy of old times as it was possible to
be-. Young Bigelow, however, came to
the United States with the idea of making
journalism his profession. He bought
controlling interest in monthly magazine
devoted to gentlemanly sports. He re-
vealed his capacity as an editor we'll in his
management Of that magazine, but he also
revealed a curious lack of business sense
Of course many obligations were entailed,
and these became very pressing.
One morning Mr.. Bigelow did not come
to his office. His associates thought he
might be sick. He did not come the next
day nor the day after, and finally diligent
inquiry revealed that no one knew exactly
where he was. The fact was he had be-
come tired of the business responsibilities
connected with the publishing of the
magazine, and in most cool and uncon-
cerned way simply left his desk and his
office and his property, and went abroad.
1t was peculiar performance, especially
as Mr.. Bigelow owned whatever was of
value in the magazine. He simply got
tired of it, and he walked away like one
who goes upon summer excursion.
Mr.. Bigelow went to Germany, and there
he has established newspaper connection
through which he sends weekly letters
which reveal, in most interesting way,
what is most of Importance in German
development That, however, is only an
incident in his career, and his work there
is the preparation of the story of the
growth of the German nation. If he
brings to his work the same enthusiasm
which he has displayed in his writings re-
garding Germany, and if Emperor William
continues to give him facilities for the
prosecution of it, we are likely to have
from his pen valuable historical contri-
button, and one which will be worthy of
the son of John Bigelow.
E. ]. EDWARDS.