The Irish standard., 1891-01-24

; 1868 he was accredited to the Mort
; German Confederation and in 1871 t
the German Empire. He was recalle
from his mission at his own request ii
1874. During his mission TO German
several important treaties we're cODclu
ded with the various German states
relating especially to this naturalizatlo,
Of Germans in America He was ;
member of numerous learned societie
both at home and abroad. In 1855 b,
published volume of ''Miscel|anies,
I jctnprlsng portion OF the articles
uratch he had again contributed to tht
nortDe american Review. For severa
Years pasG tn lsas made his home il
/ Washing gtOu. II. G.. spending his sum
mers at Newport.
Al visitor who called on the aged his
torian not long since describes him
| thus:
A tall, thin form, not weighing more
than 120 pounds. Slightly, but very
slightly stopped with long years OF desk
work. Head rather small, face long
and thin, eye very young and kindly,
! but a mouth denoting great decision,
courage. and perseverance. His hair is
thick all over his head, and is truly az
white as snow. His beard is also white,
and is worn full ard long. 1t is very
luxuriant, the ends branching cut like
a broom. The whole lis a very striking
! looking character. whether seen on
horseback. at an evening party, or at
worx in his own library. surrounded by
those mute friends he knows SO we'll.
Within the four roo1as comprising bis
library MIR. Bancroft has over IL 200
volumes.
the great feature of the lbna.y is
the manus scripts. No man In thsGouD
try has such a collection of original
documents Of military or pulaticas
character relating TO the y uited ssslatea.
He began his great historical wark In
1925
1t was until recently his practice to
take q ride on horseback daily, but fail
ing strength obliged him to abandon
the saddle. He has always been a lover
OF flowers, and his ross garden at New
port is still one Of the features OF the
place.
Mr.. Bancroft had always been great
tavorite Of society and a good public
speaker. full of wit and hunor. liberal
and jovial host, aud everywhere vel
come and delightful guest. Able to
heartily appreciate a. good dinner and
good wine, the only thing he entirely
abstained from was tobacco,
George Bancroft was one OF those
literary characters Of whom the United
States had the best reason to be proud.
and one, also, to whom his countrpnlen
were indebted for having redeemed
from madlocrlty the literary standing of
the Young Republic. There is no Eag-
iish speaking historian alive at tn Q pres
emit day who is anything like his equal in
| the two most important characteristics
Of faithful hietorian~-devoted research
and rigid irnpartialitv. IT NAV perhaps
be asserted that in the briliiancy of bis
epigrammatic style MIR. Froude is with"
out peer, but it goes without saying
that Mr.. Froude is a stranger to any
thing like the judicial temperament
which Mr.. Bancroft possessed ia a
marked degree. Mr. Bancroft was the
impartial historian par excellence.
For many wears past friends Of the
venerable historian have made his birth
day an occasion TO express their admt-
ration and esteem, and he had annually
been the recipient OF thousands Of con
gratulatorY telegrams from all parts of
the world.
In Washington Mr. Bancrctt's was
one Of the notable houses of the crty,
All strangers of distinction found their
wav there. and were SUES to meet there
at dinner OF in the evaning the most
notable of our own statesmen. Mr..
and Mrs. Bancroft, both retaining the
ltveliest interest in all public questions,
were long in Washington the centre of
the best. the most distinguished social
circle in the national capital. Fond of
the society OF Young people. quick and
ready to appreciate merit in others and
especially in Young men, and interested
in all questions which bore upon the
Improvement of government or Of the
happiness of his fellow men. Mr..
Bancroft maintained his Youthful
spirits to the last. aud was ch .rmlng
and tavorite diner out. a welcome figure
at the festivities Of the season in Wash
ington and specially honored guest at
the White House on all great public
occasions. The senate ordered him
admission to the floor of the senate
chamber, a special honor granted to no
other private cltiZsn. Senators and
representatives often sought his advice
in difficult constitutional questions.
In November 1887, the historians s
granddaughter. Mss Susannah Ban
croft. was married to Mr., Charles Car
roll. of Howard county. Md. and q