The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-05-29
OUR LITERARY BUDGET.
EDW4RD 4. FREEMAN, HISTORIAN.
Tho Two Great School. Of Historical Conn
position Represented by Mr.. Free
man and Mr.. trOude.

1t is melancholy reflection that Mr.. Free
man has fulfilled bis appointed life-work, and
that his resistless energy, his profound
scholarship and bis woudrous versatility and
iecundity. which so long made him foremost
figure in English historical thought, have
gone the way which is appointed ior an
mortal effort and for every mortal gin.
No historian can be found who does not owe
deep debt OF gratitude TO Dr.. Freeman.
Even those Who held theories opposed TO his
must acknowledge that their conviction Of
the truth OF their own beliefs has been aceen-
tuated by his sturdy and scholarly opposition.
An opponent frequently proves 20 be an iu-
valuable means OF enlightenment in regard
90 the strength or weakness Of ones own case,
and in DO respect can Or. Freeman be said TO
have conceded the convictions that he held
nor 90 have spared the weak points Of an
adversary. The whole world of letters owes
him an lncalculaDle debt, II for nothing else
than his great work upon the Norman con-
quest and his Life Of William Rufus. For
many decades De- has been power IN the
literary world. Not content with the writing
of long histories be turned his attention 10
lesser things. History in lis wider, not In IL
narrower, srnse was the goddess whom be
W0rsbiped. 10 MIN ;ue site OF Aqua ~eXtia
aud the surroundings Of Orange were suggcs-
tive OF the past, and the gOIies of earlier
centuries fingered around the ruins OF Car
tnaxe aud }he desolatioa OF Spoiato.
The wonderful historical sympathy Of DR..
Freeman is well illustrated 10y the variety of
subjects which engaged his pen. In his last
y0Iume-a complication Of articles published
iu the English periodicals Carthage, AQuc
-extip. Por.gneuX and COhOrs, the Augustau
ACES. tine English civil Wars. Archbishop
Pauler, tine Constitution 81 the German En-
Uire. the House Of LOIds, are bat a few OF the
subjects which bis varied knowledge and ms
strict historical cOnscientiousness nave
treated with q touch Of strength and grace.
Few men possess Ike learning. and fewer silli
know how 10 use the learning they possess.
TIE breadth OF bis mental grasp was charac-
teglstic of him only among historians OF lhls
century Ranke alone excepted. The central
sun of his system. broadly considered. was
the "Uuity OF History" and ne gl0rlhed this
source of historical light and energy by nis
mastery knowledge OF the great principles
which have directed the development oil
European history, and by THAT minute ac-
quainiance with the history of towns ao0 IN
sGtutiOus which gave him the means Oh
illustrating the truth OF the broader pflnc'
pies There is no doubt a. 90 Dr. Freeman 5
love of learning. nor az 10 bis genuine schoiai-
snip. which The Germans themselves ac-
knowledge: bat none OF his theories, strongly
marked as they are. nave brought MIN INTO
collision with other schools. His Wattate
against Nh. FroUde is well known and even
with those VINO ODD general were ol nus own
way of thinking. his special ana peculiar
views came sometimes into collision. one
has ONLY 10 read his works 90 see mat lhls is
the case in regard 10 Bishop ~iuoO7 ana MI.
Green. As he was NOT rarelH oil hi7 cfitlcIsh
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