Evening star., 1934-07-01

CHAPTER TX.
BY FRANK G. CARPENTER.
EORGE BANCROFT was
working among his roses when
l II called upon him the other
day The rose is the his
torian's favorite flower. He has
the finest rose garden on the North
American Continent, situated back OF
his house on H street, and embracing
a green house and an open garden. 1t
contains every known variety of roses,
and is devoted to this flower alone.
gardener is kept especially to attend
it, though Mr.. Bancroft spends much
time in working in it himself, and
understands all about rose culture.
The old historian came into the
house as ! entered. He was clad in
black broadcloth, and a slouch hat
covered his iron gray hair. This he
removed as I greeted him and he
bowed cordially and took me into his
library. A fine specimen of the high
est class of intellectual worker is the
Hon. George Bancroft. Over 80 years
of age he has frame of iron and
a brain as bright as that of youth.
He is of middle height, lean and wlry
His thin, thoughtful face is heightened
by his long, silky beard of sable silver.
and his thin gray hair is combed back
from a broad high forehead. He has
light blue eyes and complexion
which has been darkened by the winds
during his daily horseback rides. Thls
old man rides every day on one OF the
best blooded Kentucky steeds in Wash
ington. Among the questions l asked
him at this visit was: How long can
YOU ride, Mr.. Bancroft, without tir-
ing?"
"I don't know!" he replied with
laugh. "All day, I suppose, II / had
the time. Riding does not tire him,
and I generally spend three or four
hours day in the saddle. 1 believe
the secret of good health Is in taxing
care of yourself. I go to bed carry
and I rise early. I find the morning
is the best time for work, and l
would advice you to do your literary
work then in preference to the eve
ming" =,
here looked around the room and
remarked: Mr.. Bancroft, you have
! fine library.
Yes" he replied. His face lighted
up and I could see that he was very
proud of his books. He arose and
took me around the shelves showing
me how the books were two rows
deep, and pointed out some of the
rarer editions. He then gave me into
the hands of his German valet, a
| bright Berliner, whom he picked up
when he was in Prussia and brought
up to this country, telling him to
show me over the rest of the library.
Bancroft's library is one OF the
finest private collections in the United
States. Every book in it is valuable
and it contains works in all OF the
modern languages. There are over
10000 volumes closely packed In the
four large rooms which comprise the
literary workshop of their owner. No
display is made in the way of ex-
pensive cases for the books. They
are kept in common shelves running
along the wall without covering of
either glass or curtain. Bancroft
knows his library perfectly, he could
find any of his books in the dark.
The bulk of the library is on the
second floor The chief work room
is first entered. 1t faces the street,
is large and well lighted. In its CEN
ter stands large table covered with
books and manuscripts. on one side
| of this sits the great historlan-op-
posite him the young secretary, and
often in addition, another, all writing
and working together.
. Mrs. Bancroft. who is of nearly the
same age as her husband, / under
stand has a great talent for needle
work and embroidery. and specimens
of her handiwork are found in every
room. There is set OF chairs
cushioned entirely with her en-
| broidery. A beautiful piano cover
shows the evidence of her skill and
embroidered table covers. screens and
! tides add beauty to rooms already
artistically furnished. One particular
+! feature about this house of Ban
croft's is its comfortable homelike look.
1t seems as though it was made to
be lived in and enjoyed. The pic
lures on the walls. the plate-glass
mirrors here and there, do not give
it the cold and stately look you get
from a visit to the house of many a
newly made millionaire. Here every
thing seems for use and the little
| home-touches throw warmth about
| the whole.
Bancrofts history has been the
work of lifetime. He told me today
he was well satisfied with the last
edition just published. Il want my
history to be correct In every state
ment and in every particular, and
am working to that end" he said.
He has been working indeed long
time upon it. more by far than the
average mans life. Forty-eight years
ago he began it, when he was Is
years old and when he had been
eight years out of college He has
been working at 1t steadily ever since,
and it is now practically completed.
| 1t is that part of Mr. Bancroft's life
work which will live after him, and
| it will be bigger monument than all
the granite in New England could
| make
This aged historian Is one of the
most courted men in Washington. He
| is invited to the grandest dinner>-
and it is more of an honor to have
his company than that of the Presi-
dent. He is the only private citizen
who has ever been given the freedom
of both house during Congress. The
! country has honored him often In
other ways than in buying his history
He was under Polk Secretary OF the