THE annual meeting of the American Historical Association, held in Washington, D. C., in December, was one of the most interesting and fruitful of the stated gatherings of that great body. It opened on December 28th in the lecture room of the National Museum. Among those present were President Charles K. Adams of Cornell University, who took the chair; the Hon. John Jay of New York; John F. King, President of the New York Historical Society; Dr. Justin Windsor of Cambridge, Massachusetts; Mrs. Martha J. Lamb, Gen. James Grant Wilson, New York; Horatio King, Washington; Gen. George W. Cullom, William F. Poole, Chicago; Senator Hoar, President Gallaudet, of Washington, Judge Chamberlain of Boston, and Gen. Charles Darling of Utica N. Y.

SEVERAL interesting papers were read in the first session, and in the evening, at the Columbian University, President Charles K. Adams of Ithaca delivered the inaugural address. He took for his subject "The Recent Advancement of Historical Studies in the Colleges and Universities of America and Europe." He said in part:

"It is about thirty years since the first attempt was made to change the teaching of history in America from the hard and dry text-book method that had formerly prevailed. Before that time history was left to the exhausted energies of some member of the Faculty who was already overworked in other directions. The first real advance that was made was when Prof. Andrew D. White, fresh from his studies in France and Germany, entered upon his duties in the Chair of History at the University of Michigan in 1857. It was ten years after this when the

At present

first real advance was made at Harvard and Yale. Soon after the accession of President Eliot in Cambridge the Chair of History was divided, and from that day to this there has been steady development. At the present time seven professors and teachers are employed and eighteen courses are offered. At Yale the first advance was made in 1868, when Professor Wheeler was appointed, and this was followed a few years later by the division of the chair and the appointment of a Professor of America History. the work at Yale is done by two professors, who offer six courses extending through the year. Cornell was the first University in this country to give to American history the entire services of a professor. To such a chair Prof. Moses Colt Tyler was called in 1881. At present four professors and subordinate teachers of history are employed at Cornell and eleven courses are given, of which three are seminaries, conducted in the spirit of original research. At Johns Hopkins the plan from the first has been to encourage the work of graduate students. Owing partly to the excellence of the instruction, partly to the plan of organization, partly, also, to the method of publishing whatever good thing is produced, the work of the University has been especially prosperous. At present four teachers are employed and about forty graduate students are in attendance. Important as these advances are, however, we find that in Europe even greater progress has been made. In the great English universities, where twenty years ago there was no independent course, now twenty professors and teachers are engaged in teaching history alone. But it is on the continent that the most noteworthy advances have been made.

Here every where the spirit of Germany has been dominant. It was about 1880 when the young historian Ranke conceived the idea of applying to historical teaching the methods that had already been applied by Wolfe, in philology. The result was the establishment of the historical seminary, an institution the purpose of which was to carry into the study of history those scientific methods of investigation which the historians themselves had long since learned to adopt. Ranke's example has been followed by all the important schools of Germany, and indeed of the other countries of Continental Europe. Each university has what may be called its historical laboratory in which the advance work of instruction and research is carried on. These methods, moreover, have recently been brought into successful use in Holland, Belgium, and particularly in Italy."

THE following officers were elected by the Association for the ensuing year: President, John Jay of New York; first vice-president, Wm. Wirt Henry of Richmond, Virginia; second vice-president, James B. Angell, President of the University of Michigan; treasurer, Clarence Winthrop Bowen of New York; Secretary, Herbert B. Adams of Johns Hopkins University; assistant secretary and curator (a new office), A. Howard Clarke of the National Museum.

THE following is extracted from a letter received by General Darling, whose papers on "Versions of the Bible" now being published in this Magazine, from Mr. Abram Cassel, owner of the famous Cassel Library, at Harleysville:

"I am very much interested in the articles entitled 'Versions of the Bible' which appear in the August, September, October, November and December issues of the MAGAZINE OF WESTERN HISTORY. I have in my library a few rare bibles, and claim to know something about biblical literature. In the articles above named, however, are contained many facts which heretofore have not come under

my observation, and they are intensely interesting. Will they not be published, as a whole, when the series is completed? I am exceedingly anxious to possess a copy, if one can ever be obtained."

The compiler of this material is in no haste to terminate this difficult work which he has undertaken, not for pecuniary benefit, but for the advantage of those persons who may be interested in the subject. The length of the papers, and their continuance, will largely depend upon information received from the librarians of the great libraries of Europe and the United States, and from individuals.

THE annual meeting of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, was held in the capitol, at Madison, on the evening of January 2d, 1890. In the absence of the president, Hon. John A. Rice, of Hartland, vice-president Simeon Mills occupied the chair. The report of the executive committee was presented by the secretary, Reuben G. Thwaites. Extended extracts are given, because of the unusual interest that attaches to the work of the society during the past year. The report spoke in enthusiastic terms of the growth of society, in its several departments, and said that the year just past was one of the most prosperous in its history. There has been a marked increase in the popular appreciation and use of the library, in keeping with the advance of culture in the state; more and more scholars from other states, engaged in special research, have sought its alcoves; it is also resorted to by increasingly large bodies of state university students, who recognize it as a literary laboratory, indispensable to good work in that institution. The museum and art gallery retain their hold upon public esteem, probably 40,000 persons having visited the collections there displayed within the past twelve months. With the passage of each year, the society's work broadens, its reputation extends, the spirit of historical inquiry spreads, and the correspondence of the institution fast grows in bulk; until the mere anwsering of questions, from corres

pondents both within and without the state, regarding Wisconsin-its history, statistics, resources, etc.-has become no inconsiderable part of the manifold duties of the secretary. The report called attention to the death within the year of three prominent members who assisted in organizing the society, January 29th, 1849-Nelson Dewey, first president of the society, David Atwood, long a vicepresident, and Mortimer M. Jackson, one of the curators. Ex-Governor Farrell, of Missouri, and Cyrus Woodman, of Massachusetts, both of them efficient in the early days of the organization, when they were citizens of this state, also passed away in 1889; as did Hon. A. B. Braley, a curator, Prof. William F. Allen, one of the library committee, and Isabel Durrie, for nearly twenty years the library cataloguer. A feeling tribute is paid in the report to Miss Durrie's character and services.

THE financial condition of the society was commented upon in detail. The binding fund now amounts to $20,000 in interestbearing securities, while some $3,000 more are in sight. A plea was uttered for the antiquarian fund: The general fund consisting of the annual state appropriation of $5,000, is spoken of as insufficient for the needs of the institution. The library accessions foot up a grand total of 5,234, making the present strength of the library 133,727. The list of exceptionally important books received in 1889, given in the report, is a comprehensive one. The department of political science now numbers 2,109 volumes; war of secession and slavery, 1,865; genealogy and heraldry, 1,172; bound newspaper files, 5,847; British and American patent reports, 4,971; Shakespeariana, 903; maps and atlases, 1,073; American war of the revolution, 1,266.

THE Secretary's search for old manuscripts, at Kaukauna, Green Bay, Butte de Morts and other points, among the French furtraders and their descendants, was continued

last summer, and some unexpected finds were made. Letter-books, diaries, memoranda, fur-trade account books and letters, illustrative of early Wisconsin history, were picked up in considerable numbers, thus greatly adding to the extent and value of the priceless collections previously made and now bound in 100 stout folio volumes. Excellent progress is reported in the investigation being conducted by the secretary in behalf of the society, in conjunction with the historical department of the state university, into the origin and status of the several foreign groups in Wisconsin. Thousands of circular letters have been sent out within the past eighteen months, and to the most of them intelligent answers have been received. Some of the local reports, in fact, are comprehensive and worthy of the separate publication which will probably be given them when the time comes for presenting the results of the investigation. The committee's report gives several interesting general facts that have been educed from the testimony already in. The statement is made that Wisconsin probably contains a greater variety of foreign groups than any other American state." Many of these groups occupy entire townships and control within them all political, educational and religous affairs. But the process of assimilation appears to be, on the whole, reasonably rapid and satisfactory. "New customs, new manners, new blood are being introduced by the colonists from across seas, and as a rule these are worthy of adoption and absorption."

THE triennial election of officers followed the presentation and adoption of the various reports, with the following results: President-Hon. John Johnston, Milwaukee. Vice-presidents-Hon. Harlow S. Orton, LL. D., Madison; Hon. James T. Lewis, LL. D., Columbus; Hon. James Sutherland, Janesville; Chauncey C. Britt, Portage; Hon. John H. Rountree, Platteville; Hon. Simeon Mills, Madison; Hon. John F. Potter, East Troy; Samuel Marshall, Milwaukee; Hon. John T.

Kingston, Necedah; Hon. Moses M. Strong, Mineral Point; Hon. Charles L. Colby, Milwaukee; Hon. J. J. Guppy, Portgage; Hon. Philetus Sawyer, Oshkosh; Prof. James D. Butler, Madison; and Hon. Gysbert Van Steenwyck, La Crosse. Honorary vice-presidents-F. L. Billon, Missouri; Robert Clarke, Ohio; Benson J. Lossing, LL. D., New York; Wm. H. Wyman, Ohio; Charles Fairchild, Massachusetts; Col. Stephen V. Shipman, Ilinois; Hon. Amasa Cobb, Nebraska; Col. Reuben T. Durrett, Kentucky; Samuel M. Hunt, New Jersey; Simon Gratz, Pennsylvania; Francis Parkman, LL. D., Massachusetts; Bishop Wm. Stevens Perry, Iowa, and Hon. Luther S. Dixon, Colorado. Corresponding secretary-Reuben G. Thwaites. Recording secretary-Elisha Burdick. Treasurer-Frank F. Proudfit. rian-Daniel S. Durrie. The following curators were elected: Term ending in 1893-Gen. Lucius Fairchild, J. H. Carpenter, LL. D., Hon. Breese J. Stevens, Maj. Frank W. Oakley, William A. P. Morris, Wayne Ramsey, Alexander H. Main, Maj. Charles G. Mayers, Hon. M. R. Doyon, Prof. William H. Rosenstengel, Prof. Frederick J. Turner and Prof. Albert O. Wright. To fill vacancies in term ending in 1892-Rev. Dr. William A. McAtee and Rev. Joseph H. Crooker. To fill vacancy in term ending in 1891-Rasmus B. Anderson, LL.D.

Libra

THE petition for the removal of the remains of Joel Barlow to America, to which reference was made last month, has been pushed not only by the Connecticut Historical Society, but has received the endorsement of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, the Fairchild County Historical Society, and from thirty-two members of the Authors Club of New York. The petition has been laid before Congress by Representative Miles of Connecticut. Barlow bore a musket in Continental ranks at the battle of White Plains, though but a lad at the time. Later he was a chaplain, and wrote lyrics which did much to stimulate the troops. He was abroad during the French Revolution, and subsequent years, and when this nation be

came embroiled with the French Directory he exerted himself to bring about a better feeling between the two countries. He also went to Algiers, at the risk of his life from the plague, and secured the release of American captives there. The petition says:

"It is not creditable to a nation of sixty millions that the remains of so distinguished a citizen, dying in its service, should be left to fill an unhonored grave, and as it is the custom of this country to remove hither the remains of its servants dying abroad, your petitioners pray your honorable body that the remains of Joel Barlow be removed to this country, and be decently interred where Congress shall direct, their preference being for the winter quarters of Putnam's Division, in Barlow's native town of Redding, Connecticut, where some of his comrades-in-arms lie buried, said winter quarters being now the property of the state of Connecticut, and having been fitted up by the State at an expense of nearly $25,000, to be held as a memorial ground forever."

THE annual reports of the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio (at Cincinnati) have come to hand, and show a condition of general prosperity. C. W. Lord, the librarian, reports that 6,339 contributions have been received to the library, from 143 sources, in bound volumes, pamphlets, newspapers, maps, etc. Mr. A. H. Chatfield gives a statement of finances, and adds that five members have died during the year: W. H. Allen, life member; W. H. Chatfield, life member; Stanley Matthews, life member; Jacob Burnet, corporate member; F. Lunkenheimer, corporate member.

Number of corporate members, De-
cember 1, 1888.
Elected during the year..

Resignations....

Deaths of corporate members.. Dropped....

122

36 158

2

2

2

6

"THE WORKS OF HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT, VOL. XXVI., HISTORY OF UTAH, 1540–1886. The History Company, publishers, San Francisco, 1889. Received from F. M. Derby, Agent, 149 Church street, New York.

He

Public expectation and Mr. Bancroft's purposes have met, at least in one feature of this book. It was hoped that when he reached the Territory of Utah in his universal history of the farther west of the Pacific basin, he would not confine himself to the range of events transpiring within the actual territorial borders, but would begin with the beginnings of Mormonism, and trace the earlier as well as the later history of that church which laid the foundations of Utah, and has so far controlled its chief affairs. This he has done in a work that,-more from its literary structure than from any declaration of sentiment, will be regarded by many antiMormon readers and reviewers, as leaning altogether too near the Mormon side. has substantially followed the lines of history as laid down in the records of the church, placing beneath it, in foot notes so copious that in very many instances they outmeasure the text, the same story as related again and again by the anti-Mormon writers from Howe and Kidder to Codman and Beers. There has been a three-fold temptation to treat Mormonism from this standpoint: The fact that few outside the Mormon church have written fairly of the church; the dawning impression that Mormonism outside of polygamy may have been misunderstood by this generation, and will be considered more calmly by the next; and, above all, the mine of information opened thereby within the church. Upon expectation, or from assurance, the authorities of

the church were constrained to the belief that Mr. Bancroft intended to produce a work that would do them as substantial justice as could be expected from any writer not biased by a belief in the divine mission and authority of the church, and consequently placed within his command all the church records, printed and unprinted, that he desired to use. The value of this aid can be appreciated only by those who have endeavored to weave a compact and complete history of the church from the data procurable outside. "The materials for Mormon church history," says Mr. Bancroft in his introduction, "are exceptionally full. Early in his career the first President appointed a historiographer, whose office has been continuous ever since. To his people he himself gave their early history, both the inner and intangible, and the outer and material portions of it. Then missionaries to different posts were instructed to make a record of all perti nent doings, and lodge the same in the church archives. A sacred obligation seems to have been implied in this respect from the beginning. . . . And save in the matters of spiritual manifestations, which the merely secular historian cannot follow, and in speaking of their enemies, whose treatment we must admit, in too many instances has been severe, the church records are truthful and reliable."

The thirty pages occupied in presenting a list of the authorities consulted in the preparation of this work, give us some hint of the great labor required in that preparation. As in other works of this series, the author goes back to the very beginning of the history of the land upon which Utah grew-the discoveries and achievements of the Spainards in