Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-19


ooNNEcTIoNs-rHE FUNERAL
The news published in Saturdays srAR
OF the death of Mr.. Bancroft Saturday
afternoon, while by no means unexpected,
was received with expressions Of sorrow
and regret on all sides. There are few men in
private life whose death would have attracted
such widespread attention both in this country
and abroad. The prominent position that he
had earned for himself as statesman, diplomat
and historian was recognized not only here. but
also In Europe, where his personal popularity
was really remarkable. Ii WAS known, how
ever, that Mr.. Bsncrofts years were very many
and that he must necessarily soon Yield 10 the
inhrmities and weakness Of old age. He had
lived more than the span Of years allotted to
man and il would seem that he was ready 60
leave the scene of his earthly labors where he
had striyen so loag and SO successfully. He was
not afraid of death and in his later years he
spoke OF it freely TO his friends simply as of a
journey to be taken and not as Of a thing TO be
dreaded.
NOT AFRAID TO 60.
Last fall after his return from his Newport
home in conversation with friend Mr. BAN
croft said: Il have laid my work on the shelf
and can now only wait for the future sum-
mons Literary effort has passed beyond my
powers can do no more, SO L must accept
the common lot of humanity. i enjoy taking a
Retrospective view of the events of the long
past, but. dimmed by the infirmities of age.
the scene Is without the sharp lines Of detail
which younger faculties of mind bring out in
interesting relief"
His declining years were happy and peaceful.
spent In a city where all were his friends and
surrounded by various members of his family.
In pleasant home and amid congenial sur
roundings- His home on ii street is a large.
8, Al. Il.
all the older houses in the neighborhood pos
sess some historic association, having been oc-
cupied at one time or another by some of the
foremost men in our history. The Bancroft
mansion Is old-fashioned, solid, substantial.
Four OF Its large square rooms contain the SPLEEN
did library of 1900 or 1900 volumes, the man
uscript portion of which is of very great value.
The parlors, reception and dining rooms are
hlled with luxurious furniture and the walls
are covered with paintings and etchings.
PORTRAIT OF EMPEROR WILLIAM.
Among these the most interesting perhaps Is
large portrait OF the late Emperor William Of
Germany. In 1870, on the fiftioth anniversary
of his Gottingen doctorate. the emperor made
him the unusual gift Of his full-size portrait in
oil, with the inscription carved upon its frame:
The Emperor William 1 to his friend George
Bancroft in remembrance Of the wears ls67-7i"
Mr.. Bancroft for more than fifteen years past
had been In the habit of spending about five
nOntns OF the summer In Newport and passing
the winter and colder season of the year in
Washington.
HIS NEWPORT COTTAGE.
His home at Newport was one of the most de-
ightful of the older and less pretentious in that
popular city. 1t was built number of years
ago and at the time was one of the handsomest
cottages there. 1t was on a bluff overlooking
the water and surrounded by spacious grounds
HIS cottage was plainly furnished books being
the principal feature in it. In Newport as
elsewhere. he used to attend conscientiously
to his literary work. ard his stenographer
would meet him every morning at 3 O'Clock
Before beginning work it was his custom to
carefully examine his famous roses of which he
had over 300 varieties. 1t was his delight to
send these fragrant flowers to friends and to
present bouquets to strangers who fingered
near the cottage admiring the wealth of flowers
HIS LATER LITERARY WORK.
During the last half dozen wears he wrote a
large number of papers on current questions
of the day, but the only extended work from
his pen was in small, compact volume. The
Life of President Van Buren," II is also known
that at one time he contemplated writing a
history of the administration Of President
Polk, during which he was Secretary Of the
Navy. This, however, was not completed.
In the latter part of 1876 Mr.. Bancroft was
transferred to the congenial post Of minister
to Great Britain and resided at the Court Of St.
James until the accession OF President TAYLOR
in lS49.
HoNoRs GIVEN HIN ABROAD.
Mr.. Bancroft's residence in England was OF
great service to him in the gathering of mate
rial for his history. He was chosen correspond
ent of the Royal Academy at Berlin and Of the
French Institute. Oxford University made
him D.C.D. The collections in the British
Museum were at his disposal, while in private
collections he found very many valuable docu-
ments. Several visits were made to Paris and
in his researches in the libraries of the French
capital he had the assistance of Guizot, Miquet,
Lamartine and DE Tocqueville.
During the years that Mr.. Bancroft was en-
yoy to Berlin he enjoyed the confidence and
intimacy of the German chancellor and of the
most eminent personages of the court as well
as OF the learned circles at Berlin. In 1868 he
received from the University of Bonn the hon.
orary degree of doctor of laws. and in Septem-
Der. 1870. celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of
his graduation at Gottingen as doctor of phil
osophy.
Mr. Bancroft was possessed Of very consider
able means at the time of his death He kept
all the copyrights of his books. and few men
have made more from their literary labors
His royalties always brought him in a very
comfortable sum, and he had considerable
money invested in various securities. His
erty, and his estate in Newport, amounting to
nearly $50. 200 square feet Of land, is undoubt-
eddy worth large sum.
HIS LIFE IN THIS CITY.
Mr.. Bancroft made his home in this CITY
about fifteen years ago, after his term Of serv-
ice had expired as minister to Germany. His
face soon became a familiar one, as he was
regular in his habits and took great deal of
outdoor exercise either on foot or on horse
back, taking long walks or rides through the
city and the neighboring country, the ride to
Great Falls being, perhaps, the favorite. A
few years ago physical weakness compelled
him 70 forego the pleasure of horseback riding.
MR.. BANcRoFT's FAMILY
Mr.. Bancroft was twice married. His first
wife died after few years Of married life. His
second wife was a relative of the first; she was a
sister of John Davis, governor of Massachusetts,
and was born in Plymouth in 1903. She was
first married to Mr.. Bliss, the law partner of
Daniel Webster, who died a few years later
She was married to Mr.. Bancroft in 1887 She
was for many years a leading figure in WASH
ington society and had much experience in
court and diplomatic life abroad and was most
accomplished and cultured woman. She died
after several years Of Illness in March. 1886.
Mr.. Bancrofts son. Mr.. &c. Bancroft and the
latter's family have made their home with the
aged historian and made the closing years of
the old man comfortable and cheerful. In No
yember, 1887, his granddaughter, Miss Suzanne
Bancroft. was married TO Mr.. Charles Carroll
of Howard county, Md. She has come on to
this city from her home at Hampstead LII