Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-01-24
twenty-four hours.

Mr.. Bancroft was born al Worcester, Mass
on October 3, 1850, His precious iatelleci
was apparent from his graduation at the age
Of lot years az Harvard College, hut when a
tutor there after his return from Germany he
was Tar from being beloved by his students.
President Polk, on entering the White
House, had him first stated for the portfolio
OF War but owing 10 the violent opposition
81 Gov. Marcy. ne crossed oui his name and
inserted Marcy sown, removing Mr.. Bancroft 5
name to the head Of tie Navy. Al Of the
Cabinet were promptly roaiifmcd by the Seu-
ate but Mr.. Bancroft, but he remained in Office
long enough TO become the founder Of the
Naval School at Annapolis atd then 10 enter
upon brilliant diplomatic career. As See
rotary OF the Navy Mr.. Bancroft was described
by a contemporary as 'ot the ordinary height
lightly made, with o high-toued. intellectual
air, lie can b easily bland AMI kindly III
his address, or as freezing as Greenland"
Mr.. Bancroft was minister to Great Britain
from 1876 TO 1873, to Prussia from 1867 70
la, and to the German Empire from 1871 to
1874 In 1874 he was recalled at his own re.
guest and year after transferred his resi-.
aenee to Washington. The siXi.n years
hence have been SO fail Of houors aud salts
faction that the aged HISTORIANS constant la-
meni was that he did not settle at the Capital
when he came h.ther is Secretary OF th-
Navy, nearly half century ago.
The first wife Of Mr.. Bancroft was a M
Davis daughter Of United States Senator
John DAVIS Daring the latter life Of the
historian in Washington his second wife. who
was the widow of a gentleman Of fortune
presided over j household with exceptional
grace. Alter her death the increasing burden
OF years was not ltghteue1 by the sympathy
and affection of his chilli His eldest SON.
John Chandler Bancroft, who bad been a
member OF his iafhers kOuseh ii with his
witeHnd chiidrens M time is more interested
IN Boston than IL Washington, and passes
much OF bis time there leaving his family
here. younger son has never crossed the
domestic threshold since he incurred his
fathers disiuYor when he married in Paris
twenty or more years ago The woman who
caused this rrepgrabie breach between father
and son proved devoted wife. She is now
dead. Two beautiful daughters live to speak
of aud cherish mutheriy tenderness and
soiictude for their care aud training One is
Nadine Russillion, wife Of au officer Of the
French courts. The Other is Mrs. Charles
Carroll
Mr.. Baucrof's condition for the past two
years or more has been such thai one might
predicate Of him that the golden bowl was
preparing to break, the silver cord e. loosen
Al the last social occasion at which he was
present-the marriage OF ex-Seeretary Bayard
aud Miss Ciymer-hls vacant eyes and general
ieebleuess Of expression made his presence at
tt4t AsdHi 6ttlit ultAtst spectral. Last
winter he scarcely stirred rom his home in
Washington. Sometimes on fair mild day
he would walk out a little way with the slow.
lettering step Of his So years, but his interest
in lie was fading and narrowing 50 that he
scarcely seemed to recognize old friends who
aceosted him. His cherished rose-garden. at
the rear Of his square, hrown-stone mansion
on ii street, WAS almost entirely neglected. and
the honeysuekle heage, framing 10 his little
front yard, ran riot IN its season Of boom
unchecked by pruning hand. All these
monitory signs have seemed omnOus 10 those
long accustomed to his neighborhood
Mr.. Bancroit's last undertaking was a Life
Of Polk, i" but he did very little work upon II,
His most cherished literary performance was
the History Of the United States the first
volume OF which appeared ia 1884. This work
originally comprised eight volumes, but after.
wards two more Volumes giving the history OF
the constitution, were added. Between 1882
and 1884 the whole work was revised and re-
published in six volumes. Mr. Bancroft
wrote also largely for the reviews his latest
article appearing in 1887. In politics in early
life he was Democrat During the civil
war he was staureh friend of the national
government