The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-19
BANCROFT'S HOME.
Olive Logan Visits the Aged His.
tOrian at His Residence.
An Interesting Interview - Historic Paint.
ings-Esthetic Furniture in the
World-Domestie Life.

The object which first strikes the eye on
entering is splendid oil painting, full
length portrait of heroic size of the late EN-
peror William of Germany, grandfather of
the present monarch. 1t is noble piece of
work as regards drawing, cOlOring and re-
semblance. The aged sovereign wears the
same uniform as that in which Crown
Prince Frederick was seen when he rode
with the escort Of princes beside the Queen
in the Jubilee procession. Tunic of white
cloth bedizened on the breastworks with
many orders, ribbons, crosses and stars,
high Hessian boots, caSQue of silver with the
double black eagle of Prussia.
Interesting as is this painting, it fades into
nOthingness beside copy-for it cannot be
other than cOpy-of that world-renowned
masterpiece by Raphael, la Belle Jar
dniere." The original is in the Louvre,
having been-if my data from memory be
not incOrrect-stolen from Spain by Bona
parte during his piliaging progress through
the Peninsula, which was so skillfully
checked at Ciudad Rodergo by the Duke Of
Wellington's forces. Some thirty years ago
Miner K. kellogg, an American artist,
bought in Italy a Belle Jardiniere," which
he tried to sell to the French Government,
claiming the canvas he owned as the origi-
nal and that in the Louvre as a spurious
Raphael Count de Nieuwerkerke, at that
time Minister of Fine Arts for Louis Napn-
leon, said he was possessed of documents
which lncOntesubly proved the authenticity
OF the Louvre picture, and thus branded
MI kellogg's treasure as mere copy.
Ultimately, however, Kelogg'S canvas
found believer and purchaser in En-
gland, Earl Somers acquiring i. at the round
price of 1000 guineas.
NOTHING OF MODERN FURNITURE.
Other canvaSses there are upon the walls :;
bits of beauty whi.h would bear study had
one time In this large double parlor there
exists no trace of that note in furnishing
Which is called modern estheticism. All is
good, sound, solid, substantial, a trife
heavy in word the influence is apparent
of German taste. A fancy table, bearing
books and flowers, Is covered with that
truly German nerdiework-the Berlin wool
embroidery. A grand piano. open, with a
bit of music on the rest, has the name of a
German maker The richly upholstered
chairs speak of Paris or Berlin handlwork &;
not English, not American. Sole evidence
of modern taste is a superb Turkey carpet,
which completely covers the floors, leaving
no woodwork border exposed.
AT the entrance to the library stands
George Bancroft with extended hand. How
! interesting this personality III touching
| these delicate fingers we repeat ceremony
performed by Gothic, Won Humboldt. Warm
| hagen, Won Ense, Byron, BunSen, Medium,
| Manznni have listened to the voice which
now bids US welcome here. On! what
treasures Of memory lie within this mind,
| To see them all would be to live in the past,
which practically is as remote to us as is
| the very dawn of time.
HIS FORM NOT BENT WITH YEARS.
| His figure which never can have been a
| robust one, is now slender indeed, but not
| bent. His face and hands are thin. but his
! cheek is not unduly pallid. His hair, soft
IL Iii lfagi
snow, is Of abundant quantity. His eyes
seem far from strong. They require glasses
| of great magnifying power.
With the thermometer emulating the up
ward tendency of the Eiffel Tower. a re-
| mark about the heat is perhaps excusable.
| " ! do not suffer much from it." replies
MIR. Bancroft "Old people, you know, love
! the heat"
1t is himself who introduces the topic Of
| his age. / am very old man." he says
several times during the conversation.
Are yon writing anything nowadays, Mr.
u have just finished the life of Martin
| Van Buren-see it is here" pointing to {
mass of type,written manuscript which lay
| upon his desk.
OUTLINED ALL HIS CONTE MPoRARIEs.
80 l am an old man." lie repeats with
| sigh. Not one person whom knew wher
was 20 Is now allye-all, all goneI'
| Upon this appalling significant word h,
throws an emphasis which thrills my very
| heart-Strings.
| hree years ago my poor old wife died
and now | am all alone-aione!'
But such noble work as YOU have done
! as you continue To dO"' touching the manu-.
| script of The Van Buren, lite
| Eyes, the brain is all the better for being
| employed. provided the body be kept in
| health by exercise. There is nothing like
| exercise. Horseback exercise is excellent. -
There is enthusiasm in his emphasis.
| Again he repeats his injunction in favor of
| exercise. Dryden's lines spring into my
| mind:
Peter to hunt IN fields for health unaought
Than Zee the doctor for a nauseouS draught
The wise Tor cure exercise depend;
God never meant his work for man to mend.
MIR. Bancroft made no reference to the
sale OF his horse, and consequent cessation
OF his own riding exercise.
A volume is lying under the aged historian s
hand; lie listleSsly turns the leaves as we
converse. 1t is Nhittier's poems.
You were reading Whittier. Is he a
favorlte OF yOursY
"Oh, yes, love Whittier; but he is not
our greatest pOet-Bryaat, you knoW-but.
greater still, Emerson"
His voice is sonorouS, deep and full. He
seems pleased at its fine effects being re-
marked
'Why, have lectured in immense halls
and have made myself heard by the furthest
listener. Yes, my voice is strong"
HIS INTERESTING CAREER.
In 1922 he was tutor of Greek In Harvard
University, and here he preached several
sermons. being then imbued with the idea
oil entering the clerical profession. One
longs to ask him to relate some incidents of
his long career. but there is the fear of over
taxing his strength. Despite the fact that
man who buys groceries, reads Whittier
writes the life of celebrity and receives
visitors in his library is not in imminent
danppr IL Avidnpt bof NIr =,
physical fragility is very great.
Further conversation related to the great
ness Of London, 10 his approaching "Trip TO
Newport, to tile benefit he hoped to derive
from the sea breezeS, and to the beauty Of
both Newport and Washington.
A coiored youth brings up a letter for Mr.
B"ncrotts perusal, and this seems a fitting
moment to draw the interview to a close.
with charming grace the aged gentleman
presents us with the deep red roses which
have been adjoining his desk and filling the
air with their fragrance
lie rises as we depart, and again we note
the delicate form against the solid hack
ground OF books which line the walls on all
sides from iloor to ceiling. His apparel is
neat and radiantly fresh. and well within the
fashion. too comprising black velvet short
coat ana waistcoaJ, dat k cloth trousers and
dainty linen. The beauty of the hands and
their evident care is observable
herman accompanies US to the door, CIV
Ing few more interesting details. He has
been with Mr.. Bancroft fifteen years, hay-
ing been engaged ~ Mrs. Bancroft in Ger
many in 1874. He promised the lady on her
death-bed that he would never leave MIR.
Bancroft while the latter lived. Evidently
he has no desire to do SO; his heart seems
welded TO his service.
HIS PUBLIC SERVICES.
The rising generation and that which has
pretty well risen also, thinks of George Ban
croft only rs historian. How many peo-
pie are cognizant of the fact that the Naval
Academy at Annapolis was established by
Mr. Bancroft in 1915, while he was Secre-
tary of the Navy under tile Polk Presidency?
To him, also, is due the increased efficiency
of the Washington Observatory. He OBJ
tanned additional appropriations for its i'm
provement and introduced new professors
OF great merit into the corps Of instructors.
1t was by Bancroit's orders, when Secretary
of the Navy, that California and Texas were
taken pOssessiOn OF by limited Siates trnnns