SELECTIONS AND AUTHORS. The Northmen's Discoveries. From "History of the Northmen," etc. Wheaton... 15 Henry Wheaton.-This eminent scholar and statesman was born in Rhode Island in 1785. He held several important diplomatic positions in Europe, and while residing in Denmark published his "History of the Northmen." His contributions to American periodicals were numerous and marked by great ability; but his fame rests mainly upon his "Elements of International Law" and his "History of the Laws of Nations." The latter appeared originally in French at Leipsic. "No one, save Washington," says Allibone, "has done more to make the name of America respected by scholars and honored by statesmen." His death occurred in 1848. Landing of Columbus. From "The Life and Voyages of Columbus." Irving.. .... 21 Washington Irving, one of the most distinguished of modern authors, was born in New York City in 1783. The production which first gave him a decided reputation was the famous "History of New York, by Diedrich Knickerbocker," published in 1809. This is a work of inimitable humor, and was read with the greatest delight on both sides of the Atlantic. Sir Walter Scott enthusiastically admired it. The "Sketch Book" was published in London, and greatly enhanced the author's reputation. He also published "Life and Voyages of Columbus,” “The Alhambra," "Bracebridge Hall," "Life of Washington," and many other popular works. Irving's style is remarkable for its elegance and copiousness; while the purity of his sentiments, his sympathy with mankind, his geniality and kindliness, his innocent and playful satire, mixed with the pathetic, make his writings an inexhaustible fountain of intellectual enjoyment. He died at his residence, Sunnyside, a charming spot on the banks of the Hudson, November 28, 1859, universally loved and esteemed for his artlessness and benevolence of character, and honored not only for his genius, but for the virtues by which it was adorned. Return of Columbus to Spain. From "The History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella." Frescott.. 23 William H. Prescott.-This eminent historian was born in Salem, Mass., in 1796, and was the grandson of Colonel Prescott, of Revolutionary fame. His principal works are the "History of Ferdinand and Isabella," "The Conquest of Mexico," "The Conquest of Peru," and the "History of the Reign of Philip II." The last-mentioned work he did not live to finish, dying in 1859. These various productions constitute a splendid contribution to English literature. The materials for their composition were collected with the most laborious research, and have been arranged with very great judgment and skill, while their style is a model for elegance and correctness. Though in affluent circumstances, and affected from early manhood with blindness, Mr. Prescott labored in his literary undertakings with indefatigable industry, and accomplished a task beyond the powers of most men in the enjoyment of every faculty. His high moral worth, amiable disposition, and geniality of manners won for him the esteem of a very large circle of friends. The Indians. From "The History of the United States." Ramsay.. 25 David Ramsay, M.D., was born in Pennsylvania in 1749. After graduating at the College of New Jersey, he studied medicine, and commenced practice in Charleston, South Carolina, where he resided during the remainder of his life. He was for several years (1782-5) a member of Congress, and during one year its president. His death was caused by a pistol-shot wound, received in the streets of Charleston, in 1815. In 1785 he published his "History of the Revolution in South Carolina ;" and five years afterward the "History of the American Revolution,” which was received with universal commendation. His "Life of Washington" appeared in 1807, and the "History of South Carolina" in 1809. He was also the author of several other works. As a historian he was diligent in research, and his narrative is characterized by accuracy and impartiality, and is expressed in a simple and elegant style. The Mound Builders. From "The Popular History of the United States." Bryant and Gay... ...... 27 William C. Bryant, though pronounced "the foremost of American poets, was also distinguished as a prose writer. He was many years the editor of the New York Evening Post. He was born in Massachusetts in 1794. His death occurred in New York City in 1878. He was universally esteemed for his active beneficence, unbending integrity, and kindness of disposition. (The extract is probably from Gay's pen.) From "The Pre-Historic 29 .... Were the Indians the Mound Builders? Selections and Authors. ix born in Massachusetts in 1815. Besides the above work, he was the author of the "Physical Geography of the Mississippi Valley." His death occurred in 1873. The New Lands not India. From "The Conquest of Peru." Prescott. 30 De Soto's Expedition. From "The Pioneers of France in the New World." Parkman.... 34 66 .... Francis Parkman, a native of Boston, was born in 1823. His various histories, "The Conspiracy of Pontiac," The Pioneers, etc.," "The Jesuits in North America," and other works," exhibit a singular combination of the talents of the historian with those of the novelist." They have been warmly commended by critics on both sides of the Atlantic. No historical course of reading can be complete that excludes these charming volumes. Discovery of the Mississippi. From "The Conquest of Florida." T Irving.. ..... 35 Theodore Irving, LL.D., nephew of Washington Irving, was born in New York in 1809. Besides "The Conquest," he has written "The Fountain of Waters," and contributed numerous articles to periodicals. "His style is terse and graceful." His death occurred in 1880. Burial of De Soto. A translation from the "Knight of Elvas," a Spanish narrative. Smith..... . 36 Buckingham Smith was born in Georgia in 1810. He published a number of works, most of which were translations from the Spanish. "Few American scholars have been so conversant with the materials of early American history as Mr. Smith." He died in 1871. Drake's Voyage Around the World. From "The History of Oregon and California." Robert Greenhow... (See note, page 198.) 37 Marquette on the Mississippi. From "The Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi River." Shea... 41 John D. Gilmary Shea, LL.D., was born in New York in 1824. He is the author of a number of works of great merit, but is best known for those on American history. La Salle descends the Mississippi. From "The Discovery of the Great West." Parkman.. Settlement of Jamestown. 43 From "The History of the Colony and Ancient Dominion of Virginia." Campbell.... 52 Charles Campbell was born in Virginia in 1807. His principal publication is the history from which we make the extract. It is a narrative of the events from the discovery and settlement of this country to the surrender of Cornwallis in 1781. It is a work of faithful accuracy. The Gold Excitement. From "The Life of Captain John Smith." Hillard..... 55 George S. Hillard, "lawyer, orator, and man of letters," was born in Maine in 1808; he died in 1879. He was the author of "Six Months in Italy," a book of great interest, and the Life and Campaigns of George B. McClellan," as well as other works. By educators he was known through his series of School Readers. "He was one of the most polished writers of New England." Marriage of Pocahontas. From "The History of the United States." Bancroft........ 56 George Bancroft, one of the most eminent of American historians, was born in Massachusetts in 1800. He early manifested remarkable talent, graduating at Harvard College with the highest honors at the age of seventeen. The publication of his great work, The History of the United States," was commenced in 1834, and is still unfinished. 'Parts of it may be reckoned among the most splendid in all historical literature." Mr. Bancroft has filled several important political offices, having been Secretary of the Navy under President Polk, and having, as Minister-Plenipotentiary to Great Britain, represented the United States from 1846 to 1849. The Pilgrims in England. From "The Life of John of Barneveld." Motley.. 99 66 61 John Lothrop Motley, the eminent historian, was born in Massachusetts in 1814. His "Rise of the Dutch Republic,' The History of the United Netherlands," and "Life of John of Barneveld" are among the ablest contributions to American literature. "His histories are, in some degree, epics. The same high, chivalrous tone which rings through them has been heard in every crisis of his public career." He was Minister to Russia, and afterward to England. At the time of his death (1877) he was engaged in writing a history of the "Thirty Years' War." Embarkation of the Pilgrims. From "The New England History." Elliott.... 63 Charles W. Elliott, descended from the pious and learned John Eliot, "e Apostle to the Indians," was born in Connecticut in 1817. One of his best books is "St. Domingo; its Revolution and its Hero, Toussaint L'Ouverture," Selections and Authors. xi Settlement of Plymouth. From "The History of New England." Palfrey... .... 64 John Gorham Palfrey was born in Boston in 1796, and educated in Harvard University, in which institution he was afterward appointed Professor of Sacred Literature. His lectures on the "Evidences of Christianity" and on the "Hebrew Scriptures,' as well as his numerous literary, historical, and political discourses, have been highly commended. His great work, the "History of New England," the first volume of which was published in 1858, has been universally approved and admired for its thorough appreciation of the Puritan character, its accuracy of statement, and the purity and dignity of its style. Died 1881. The Great Aim of the Pilgrims. From an Oration. Webster..... 67 Daniel Webster, the celebrated American statesman and orator, was born in New Hampshire in 1782. After graduating from Dartmouth College, he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1805. In 1813 he became a representative in Congress, and from that time until his death, in 1852, was almost uninterruptedly in the public service, as a member of Congress or a cabinet officer. In 1842, while Secretary of State, under President Tyler, he negotiated the treaty with England, by which the north-eastern boundary question was settled. His great orations may, it has been thought, claim a favorable comparison with even the most brilliant of ancient times. Hooker's Emigration. From "The History of Connecticut." Hollister..... 69 G. H. Hollister.-Besides the above and other valuable works, he was the author of "Mount Hope; or, Philip, King of the Wampanoags," an historical romance of very great merit. A Sabbath in New Haven. From "Historical Discourses." Bacon.. 70 Leonard Bacon, D.D., a "distinguished champion of New England Congregationalism,” was born in Michigan in 1802. He has written several books and contributed largely to periodicals. Since 1825 he has been the pastor of a church in New Haven, Ct. Williams's Flight to Rhode Island. From "The History of Rhode Island." Arnold..... 72 Samuel Greene Arnold was born in Rhode Island in 1821. Besides the above valuable work, he has written numerous magazine articles, delivered many addresses of great merit, and held several eminent civil positions. His death occurred in 1880. Union of New England Colonies. From "The History of Connecticut.” Trumbull... 74 |