The sun., 1908-05-10

need only be recalled 10 prepare the reade
for many expressions Of il in his corTespon
! dence. In the diplomatic service Of hi
country and OF the Polk Administration
Bancroft's efforts were directed chiefly /,
modifying the existing postal relation
between Great Britain and the United Statet
and the laws touching commerce and nayi
cation. He saw the first Of these negotia
tions brought TO a successful close durnl
bis mission 10 England. and disappoint
ment at leaving the second as unfinished
business is unconcealed in his correspon.
denoe. We must find room for one letter
touching on social subjects, which viii
interest those who know something OF
what Boston was In the early lOs In
February, lA7. Bancrofts sister, Mrs,
Farnum, writes 10 him: Tell Betsy lBan-
croft's second wifel that on reading her
letters | was reminded OF an evening OF
the first winter spent with you. when she
took the book containing her visiting list
and asked me 10 sit down and read over
the names and see what acquaintanoes she
had lost by her marriage with you, and
the sigh with which she showed me that
some Of the Beacon street aristooraoy we're
among the number Mrs Farnum goes on
to say that from the titles that now sprinkle
her pages thckly | think she must have
eventually found her loss gain for what
are the mushroom aristoorats Of a republic.
that are here to-day and gone tomorrow.
to the genuine dukes and duchesses. lords
and ladies Of an hereditary peerage5 She
will be the oynosure Of all eyes when she
gets back. and may drop whom she will in
her turn, with OF without reason. Please
don't let her drop me-
At this point the blogrspher lets Ban
croft take up the story. In lettsr to Pres
colt, dated March 8, iS47 he writes; Our
brother historians here ! see very often.
Lord Mahon, younger by four or FIVE years
than either Of US, has young and beautiful
and really charming wife, who wins all
hearts. Hallam has a countenanoe so full
OF benevolence, mildly radiant with a most
gentle and kindly expression, that he wins
very rapidly on those that sec him. The
candor that pervades his nature and lights
up his features makes you less regard a
hesitancy Of utteranOe. His good judg-
ment shows itself as much in conversation
as In his books and his mind takes the
widest range He tells a pleasant story
with anima ton, and az for the extent Of his
learning, do not pretend TO fathom it,
OF Milman also Bancroft says that with
less vigor Of character he is as mild and
agreeable "a possible; modest and unpre-
tending; full OF taste and Of learning;
hospitable and as worthy a nature as has
sheltered itself for century In the cloisters.
of Westminster. To the American Minis
ter in London, however, Macaulay seemed
the most extraordinary man n them all.
He rises in my esteem Ia cold word for
what mean every time | see him; for his
loibles show themselves at once; his great
ness shows itself by degrees, He has the
most nearly universal knowledge Of any
man ever met, and his memory is as much
10 accuracy as the extent Of his
reading Ia boundless, There seems to be
no end TO Bancroft's admiration for Ma
,aulay. Il have met him. he continues
in all sorts Of companies, and everywhere
le il the oracle Of all present. Among
,hurchmen he shows more knowledge Of
than all the Bishops he
viii 60 ahead Of Milmdn and keep In ad-
'anoe in quoting the Fathers Of the Church
md even the later Latin authors; and when
1allam falters about letter OF Pny he
will give its date and tenor, and perhaps
)egin to quote II word for word. | think
him, what is 40 rare greater than his books"
Bancroft had been tempted 10 accept the
mission TO England largely by the hope |
hat he might be able 10 prosecute there |
lis historical researches and compositions |
Ie found however, that for him to write In |
london was impossible. Recalling Macau-
ay's saying that one man can do but one |
hing well at a time. for which reason he |
ave up his post in the Cabinet and took 10 |
he Historic Muse Bancroft says that he is
II the same opinion and shall soon return |
o his native country. pitch his tent In New
'ork and try TO tell how PRESCOTT defended |
.unker Hill; how Franklin swayed France
o our assistance; how Choiseul charmed !
he courts Of Europe into peaceful ap-
lause Of our insurrection; how Lord North
,attled with his own Ministry, in which he
'as in a minority, and let himself be led !
gainst his Judgment how the Empress
atherine H. humbugged the British Min
tier and favored u.s. how the inimitable
Washington not only was the bravest in
ar, but the wise, loving, generous, creating
lther OF our form Of government. Ban
roft at this time tells a correspondent that
he English people have been lavish In
roviding him with historical documents.
Lord Norths daughter gave me all she
ad, and all her "reminiscences 10 boot; the
luke Of Grafton sent to my house big box
gliding the most private papers Of the old
luke with the key and unbounded license
, use the contents at my discretion; Lord
'artmouth the papers Of his pious progen-
or. who, you remember, was the one who
ears coronet and prays Bancroft
dds that he has every letter written to
every dog Of cutthroat that went into the
ilderness 10 set the Indians upon u.s. and
nat he has collected nearly everything said
written in Paris or Berlin that bore upon
le American Revolution.
In June, ls49, Bancroft received notice
lat oxford University wished TO bestow
pom him the degree Of doctor Of civil law,
morris cdusd, being, 80 he was officially
formed, mot only desirous Of testifying
sense Of your literary and personal merits,
1t also Of giving one more proof Of the
,irit which animates them with respect TO
at great country which you 30 we'll rep
sent The conclusion Of Banoroits mis-
on to England was near at hand. When
, landad in Amarica hia faithful friand |