The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-18

whose merits have notin the opinion of his CEN
sors. been duly recognized By Mr. Bancroft.
nat there should be entire agreement as re-
garus the accuracy and candor of the narrator OF
ens events OF so many years, and those years full
expected.
r. As to the merits Of the. historian, Edward
Everett says: "a history OF the United States
Dy an American writer possesses claim upon
our attention OF the strongest character; but
Mnen We add that the work of Mr.. Bancaoft is
one OF the ablest of that class which has for
years appeared in the English language; that IL
compares simultaneously with the standard
British historians; that SO far as it goes it does
sneh justice TO its noble subject as to supersede
the necessity of any future work of the same
kind, and, II completed as commenced, will I'M
4merican s;,s a aoee'er ne Isgaraea oosa e as
would Justly think Us objectionable II we failed
10 oner our humble tribute to its merit
modern historic works n Wbcb the sSor bas
reached so high an elevation at once as an his
torlcai inquirer and an historical writer. The
great conscientiousness with which he refers TO
ms authorities, and his careful criticisms, give
lne most decisive proofs OF his comprehensive
studies. He has founded his narrative on con-
works OF later times and of other countries. His
narrative is everywhere worthy of the subject
Inc reader is always instructed, often more
deeply interested than by novels or romances.
The love OF country is the muse which inspires
the author. but this inspiration is that of the
severe historian, which springs from the heart"
H.
our satisfaction that the favorable notice we
took OF Dir. Bancroft's labors ON his first ap-
pearance has been fully satisfied by hiscountry
men, and that his colonial history establishes
his title TO place among the great historical
writers OF the age The reader will find the
pages OF the present volume filed with matter
not less interesting and important than the pre-
ceding. He will meet with the same brilliant
ana daring style, the same picturesque sketches
OF character and incidents, the same acute rea-
soning and compass OF erudition."
Bancroft
nently philosophical historian. He brings the
wealth. oil most varied learning in systems of
thought and in the political and moral history
OF mankind to illustrate the early experiences of
which shows the possession OF ideas, and not
only describes popular movements pictur-
esquely, but also analyses them and reveals
their spiritual Specification"
Baron Bunsen says: 81 read last night Ban
croft with increasing admiration. What glori-
GUS and interesting history has he given to his
nation OF the centuries before the independ-
Won Raumer says: Bancroft, Prescott and
Sparks have effected SO much in historical COM
position that no living European historian can
take precedence OF them, but rather might be
proud ana grateful to be admitted as COM
panion."
Mr.. Bancroft regarded his life work as finished
two years ago, and of late had done no literary
work. During the last decade he revised his
great work, The History of the United States"
going over IL in severely critical style, and
eliminating flowers of rhetoric in the earlier
work. His last production was his sHistory of
the Formation fthe Constitution" He under
took to write history of President Folks ad-
mlnlstraflon, but was compelled to abandon it.
On May so, 1852, in q letter to friend, Mr.
Bancroft wrote: 81 was trained to look upon
lie here as a season for labor. Being more than
fourscore years old, know the time for my re-
lease will soon come Conscious of being near
the shore OF eternity, / await without impa-
llence and without dread the reckoning of the
nand Wnlch VIII summon me to rest.