The sun., 1908-05-10
N,

When Bancroft returned 10 the United
States he imme mediately became a citizen, not
Of Boston, where he had lived for seven
years without becoming what is called a
Bostonian, nor Of Washington, but OF New
York. Free 10 settle where he would, he
chose the city in which the tides Of Amerl-
can life flowed most strongly and charac-
teristically. Soon after his return from
London he acquired also the place at New
! port which became his summer refuge
through all the remaining years Of his life,
| except the few which he passed in Germany
| His industry was never more strikingly
eXemplifed than during the years Of his
sojourn in New York. He had to turn TO
account a considerable library in the form
| Of unpublished letters and documents, and
he had accumulated rare and important
printed books at tho cost Of infinite trouble
and lavish expenditure Whatever may be
thought Of some Of Bancroits conclusions,
there is no doubt that in the matter Of going
10 original sources he set the American his
torians Of his day and our own the example
OF pioneer Three volumes Of his history
Of the United States had stood TO his credit
before he went TO England The eighteen
years Of his private citizenship were 10
prove the most productive period Of his
life, for between ls4s and 1897 six more vol
umes were issued, besides a volume OF
Literary and Historical Miscellany 'and the
'0hicial Eulogy Upon Abraham Lincoln
The bioHapher reminds US that the sew
enth volume OF his history was the first in
which Bancroft omitted foonotes The
historian ontinued this practice in the
eighth, and returned only partially to the
more scholarlke method in the ninth and
tenth volumes. His own explanation Of
the omission was that 1t sprang mot from
an unwillingness TO subject every state
ment Of fact even in its minutest details,
to the severest scrutiny but from the va
riety and multitude Of the papers which
have been used, and which could not be
inteligibly cited without burdening the
pages with a disproportonate commen-
tary.' When the eighth volume appeared
Prescott wrote TO a correspondent: 1T IL
a pity that he has not supported his story
by a single note or reference. The reader
must take il all on the writer's word" Mr..
Howe recognizes that Prescott's sentiment
Of regret has since been shared by the great
majority Of historical students.
It is interesting 10 observe that when his
volumes were written Bancroft had them
manufactured at his own cost and turned
over their distribution TO Messrs Little,
Brown 4 Co. OF Boston under an arrange
ment which constituted them rather his
agents than his publishers as the latter
term is now understood Mr.. Howe notes
that the popularity Of the history can hardly
be measured in terms Of comparison with
any work Of a similar kind appearing in this
later day; for II would be difficult 10 name
such a work passing 40 rapidly into many
editions, each Of these preceded by careful
revision. Nor was the high esteem in which
Bancrofts volumes were held confined TO |
what has since become the novel reading
public. The discriminating few regarded |
them as highly a. the many. Thus Wash
ington Irving wrote in 1852; 'Your work |
rises az II progresses. gaining In unity OF |
subject and in moral grandeur as II ap- |
proaches the great national theme In the |
same year Lord Mahoh wrote from England |
to congratulate Bancroft on the very great
ability with which he had dealt with the
enormous mass Of the American papers
relating TO the period portrayed. He added:
: In discussing the several American States
your tone is 80 fair and 30 equabls that 1t
would not be easy TO decide from II 10 which
Of them in birth and affection you person
ally belong The same spirit Of candor and
upright dealing acco mpanies you TO Eng
land Also in 1852 Henry Hallam wrote
Bancroft letter in which gratitude and
admiration were tempered as follows: But
/ must fairly tell you that do not 90 along
With all your structures on English states
mon and on England either in substance or,
rian. but you must expect that we shall read
az Englishmen. Faults there were, but
DO not think that all we're on one side. At
all events a more moderate tone would
carry more weight. An historian has the
Ugh Office Of holding the scales Emerson
wrote in 1858. when the seventh volume
appeared: The history is richer, not only
IN anecdotes Of great men but in revela-
ions Of the great heart Of towns and prov
noes, than dared believe ands-what sur
orised and charmed me /; starts tears and
almost makes them overflow on many and
many page II is noble matter, and am
leartiy glad to have it molly treated
In the same year Edward Evsrstt, ,thefrieBd
II Baneroft's youth, wrote; Il take great