The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-06

What do we mean when we speak of the
sources of historyi Prof. Hart replies that, rs
history Is an account Of the past actions OF men.
pure historical statement must go back TO tho
memory Of those who saw the events or TO some
record made at the time. Tradition Is the hand
ing down of memories from one person to an
other, and some OF the most famous OF tho pieces
In this volume, tho extracts from the Norso
Sagas on the discovery of America, were thus
for three centuries before they were
finally put in writing. Such transmissions are
likely to get away from tho first form as
years go on. and may change into legends.
Hence. In the book before us such works
have been rarely used. Sparingly. also, does
the editor avail himself of "reminiscences written
out by contemporaries OF events In later life,
for these, likewise, arc apt to be twisted by tho
lapse Of years between the event and the making
OF the record. OF much more Importance for the
historian are the records and memoranda made
at or very near the time OF the occurrence. Some
times silent monuments may DO all that Is left;
Prof. Hart mentions the great serpent mound In
Ohio MS n striking contemporary record; SO. too,
the house OF Gov. Cradock In Medford, Mass,
still stands to testify that its builder was n man
of taste and substance. We are reminded that
laws. proclamations. and other public docu-
ments are sources OF a high order, be.
cause they not only describe but constitute
events: thoy bear the signatures, the af.
fxiEg OF which gives thom validity; they are
drawn up before the event takes place. Exam
Piles cited are tho Bull OF Alexander VI. and the
Connecticut laws. or greater literary interest
are the narratives Of explorers. travellers, and
visitors. In which American history 10 rich; All
instance Ia de Vrles's trading voyages. A more
valuable kind OF source Is the contemporary
journal or diary, written from day to day during
Aka y~-Na aa.lk w.
who wero tho hclmsmen of a commonwealth
like John Winthrop. they have tho highest
historical value; even when written with.
out any expectation of publication, like
tho diary Of Samuel Sewall. they furnish
valuable evidence. The letters OF public
men, or even of private men. have the
suInc double worth Of an unvarnishod talo
written at tho moment: they also reveal the
writor'B character. Such are tho familiar let
tiers OF Col. Fitzhugh. Scrviceablc. also. are the
arguments or controversial pamphlets intended
for circulation at tho time, such as Buffers
attack on 'ho Virginia Government and the nc.
counts of the Andres revolution. To narratives,
also. composed Immediately after events have
passed.. like Quentin Stockwell's account OF his
Indian captivity. a considerable valuo must DO
conceded. 1t Is undoaisble that what are called
the sources OF history have been hitherto but III
appreciated by the reading or even by the teach
ing public. Prot. Hart desires to put an .ond
to this neglect. and with this aim In Wow
no points out that, wbilo sources arc
tho basis Of history, they are not more
raw material, like the herbariA Of the botanist or
tho chemicals OF the laboratory. stuffs TO bo do
stroyod in discovering their nature; but, As being
utterances of mon living when they were made.
they have in them the breath Of human life. In
o word. our author would describe history as the
biology Of human conduct. Nobody can settle