The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-31
THE LIFE AND LETTERS

THE LIFE AND LETTERS .ot
GEORGE BANCROFT. BY NJ. a
Dewolfe Howe. Charles Scribner'.
Sons New York. 81 per set, vols
OF few Americans can 1t be so truly
said as of George Bancroft that ne
wrota the history OF his country and
made himself part of 1t. HIS life
began with tho nineteenth century, ne
being born october 3, 1900, and ended
with lis closing years. the date OF his
death being January II, 1891.
AS writer and statesman lie came
in contact with the most Important
persons and events of his time, both
IN this country and Europe. His work
and his life together. including his So
cial relations. determined by hi'
strongly marked characteristics, cover
virtually the entire range OF American
history" SO says Mr.. Howe.
Mr.. Bancroft's birthplace was Wor-
cester. Mass. He was educated at
Harvard College and afterward at
Gottingen and Heidelberg. Germany.
His appointment as Secretary of the
Navy by James X. Polk was the be-
ginning Of his residence in Washing
ton. At the time of his death at the
national capital in January, 1891,
president Harrison issued the follows
ing order: as an expression of the
public loss and sorrow, the flags OF
all the executive departments at wash
tngton and OF the public buildings in
the sities through which the funeral
party is to pass will be placed at half
mast to morrow, until the body of this
eminent statesman, scholar and his
torian shall finally rest in the State
that gave him to his country and the
world"
Mr.. Bancroft was buried in Rural
Cemetery, Worcester, Mass.
1t is easy to realize the Importance
and scope of the information contain.
ed in letters such as those In which
Bancroft recorded his personal impress
sions of famous people he met abroad
and in America.
He speaks thus OF meeting Goethe
in October OF 1873:
II visited Goethe toward noon. He
was talkative and affable, began at
first with speaking of common affairs.
Then the discourse came on German
philosophy, Kant was mentioned with
reverence The state OF America be-
came then the subject of conversation.
He seemed to think he was quite we'll
acquainted with It. He spoke ofSsev-
eral books on the country, of Warden's
Statistical Account of America, etc.
Then, too, Cogswell had given him an
ESSAY on American literature, which
appeared in Edinburgh. This essay
Goethe praised much for the beauty
Of its style and for the liveliness and
fancy with which 1t was written, ana
smiled as he mentioned the freedom
with which he spoke of the different
professions.
"At length I. gathering courage
from talking with him, took occasion
to bring him upon the English poets.
Byron he praised in the highest terms,
declared himself one of n large party
in Germany who admired HIM un-
boundedly and seized on and swallow
ed everything that came from him. OF
Scott we had time to talk; of Words
worth-Southey he knew nothing: of
Coleridge, the name-had forgotten.
however, his works. The author Of
.Bertram' was praised. The tragedy
said Goethe, has many beautiful pas
sages.' Byron, however, seemed to re-
main the most admired of ALL
OF his visit to Lord Byron, he says:
when I reached Lord Byron's seat
was at once shown into cool room.
and in moment his lordship Joined
me. offering me his hand.
He spoke of several countrymen. OF
Ticknor. Of Everett, of Coolidge. He
spoke particularly OF w. Irving, whose
'knlckerbocker he seemed very iona
of. His style he called rather florid,'
but commended highly. I expressed my
delight on hearing praises of my
countryment; but Byron replied: His
feelings as to Irving were common to
all his countrymen.
I'VE spoke OF Germany. He asked
IL l knew Goethe. I answered I did,
and reported faithfully what I had
heard Goethe say of him. I then told
him of the TRANSACTIONS which have
so often been made of His works, and
of the great admiration which all Ger
mans had for him.
This B. said was new to him, and
would serve as some solace for the
abuse which he was constantly receiv-
Ing from home. He then spoke OF
himself with the greatest frankness, OF
{is abuse lavished upon him on all
Ndes in England. of new article
2eferies was preparing for him, OF a