New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-03
OBITUARY.
ALEXANDER WILLIAM KINGLAKE
London. Jan. 2.-The death OF Alexander William
Kinglake, the historian, is announced

London Jan. 2.-The death Of Alexander William
Kinglake, the historian, is announced.
Alexander William Kinglake was the eldest son OF
william Kingake. Of Wilton House, Taunton. England
and Mary the eldest daughter OF Thomas Woodforde
also of Taunton. The authorities not agreed as
to the year OF his BIRTH which is varously given as
1902 1909 and 1911, but the latest and the majority
make the date 1911. lie was educated at Taunton,
Ottery ST. Mary, and at Elton and Trinity College,
Cambridge Having taken his degree in 1882. lie
entered as student at Lincolns Inn, and was called
to the bar in 1887. He rapidly acquired an extensive
IsChancery practice from which he retired In 1856 to
devote himself to political and historical work. Soon
after he called 10 the bar Mr.. Kinglake made a
trip to the East, and his return In 1914, he de-
tcrmned that he would put his impressions into print
N0C Taing able to find publisher who would under
take risk. Mr.. Kinglake agreed with Mr.. Olivier
Of Pail Mall, to publish the book and guaranteed him
against loss. The result the del g!tful volume
of travels which he called Eothcn." word mean
ing from the Fast The brllliancy and richness OF
his style gave this picture Of the East phe-
| nOmenal popularity. 1t translated into nearly
all the languages OF the Continent. and
went through many English and American editions
Il has always held its place at the head OF English
books of travel having many imtators but no rival.
Eothenn and 1.-THE Invasion Of the Crimea,' both
English classics are Mr. Kinglakes only books. Many
wears ago lie wrote two articles in The Quarterly Re
viewp but with this exception contributed to
any periodicals.
Mr.. Kinglake accompanied the English army when
| IT landed the coast OF the Crimea In 1884. and
present with Lord Raglan at the battle OF the
Alma and during the flank march and the seizure Of
Ralaklava. He remained at the British headquarters
during the first bombardmcnt Of sebastopol but was
then obliged to return home having been attacked with
| fever.
Mr. Kinglake was an unsuccessful Liberal candidate
for Parliament 70. Eridgewater In 1e12, but In le"'
| he was elected and held the seat until 1868 in that
year he reelected but he was unseat@i on peuuOh
and did not afterward contest any Parliamentary con-
stit,lency. When in Parliament he was an advanced
Liberal and devoted himself principally TO foreign poll
| Tics In 1853 he moved the first amendment which
was brought forward with view 10 defeat the Con
spracy bill In the year he brought forward the
question Of the Caglar" and in the following year
the question OF the Charles ct Georges lie TOOK an
active part in 1850 in denouncng the annexation OF
savoy and Nice b the French Empire.
His long familiarity with ard admiration for LORD
Raglan led Mr. KingIake to undertake the defence OF
that general. In 1863 the first volume Of :" The IN
vasion Of the Crmea Its Origin and Account N IL
| Progress down 10 the Death Of Lord Raglan ap
| pearcd and five other volumes followed at intervals
II az once took the front rank ~ modern hstOrici
works. but the authos structures upon certain artoT>
! I'm the Crlmcan War brought ont many angry replies
| Tho searching criticism Of the second Empire gave
! violent offence At the Tuleries and It's sale wa'
| prohibited 10 France under the Third Empire
THIS history over which Mr.. Kingllke spent
n MANY years and the elaboration Of which had beer
proracted until the succession Of far mighter strug
| ges had dwarfcd the siege Of Scbastopol into com
parative insignihcance. remains and will remain alk'
i'm portsnt Interesting. not indeed as record OF
| En- gsh or French glory but demonstration no"
| war should not be made. Nowhere can there be
| found a more remarkable narrative Of Governmental
| Incompetence ofClal laundering. redtape imbecinty
cooperating and cruel waste n blood and treasure
| The delay In his work enabled him 70
make uso Of the new matter which rendered
accessible by the fall Of the Third Empire
Mr. KinGale was unhurricd I'm manner In his elaborate
and admirably written history cautious. deliberate and
thorough IN his research and analysis. His style com
bined beauty and force. and flexible vigorous ana
compact OF his history The Tribune said two years
| ago In reviewing the American edition six volumes
II Is undoubtedly remarkable achievement and VII
| he valued and studed no less for It's liter
airy qualities than for It's historical importance
A. FAR as it goes. the one trustworthy
| However that struggle has been dwarted by subse
! Qucnt military enterprises. II must aSaSe De an al
valuable teacher 70 such as desire % know Wha ca
and cannot bc done By troops In the held, behlno IN
trrrchmeus and facing unslenced batteries put arse
low ~ avoid the most disastrous effects when can Ok
| produced upon armies through Governmental neon
petcnce the corruption OF contractors, or the oe'
| meddl!nZ Of heads Of states 49, ,.,,-,.
! In 1877 a sixth English edition Of Mr. hlnglake
| history was printed. ard was tho first IN when NJ
.iohn Alexander. a tarrister. Member Of Parliament
and some time a contributor o. the review was oicl
contoundod with his cousin Alexander mth ann N NM
the authorship Of "Eothen' and The Invasion o
| the Crimca.'