Our quotations will have sufficed to show the ability of the writer.  Of the scope and general character of his work we have given but a languid conception.  The true merit of a great book must be learned from the book itself.  Our part has been rather to select varied specimens of style and power.  Of Mr. Motley’s antecedents we know nothing.  If he has previously appeared before the public, his reputation has not crossed the Atlantic.  It will not be so now.  We believe that we may promise him as warm a welcome among ourselves as he will receive even in America; that his place will be at once conceded to him among the first historians in our common language.”

The faithful and unwearied Mr. Allibone has swept the whole field of contemporary criticism, and shown how wide and universal was the welcome accorded to the hitherto unknown author.  An article headed “Prescott and Motley,” attributed to M. Guizot, which must have been translated, I suppose, from his own language, judging by its freedom from French idioms, is to be found in “The Edinburgh Review” for January, 1857.  The praise, not unmingled with criticisms, which that great historian bestowed upon Motley is less significant than the fact that he superintended a translation of the “Rise of the Dutch Republic,” and himself wrote the Introduction to it.

A general chorus of approbation followed or accompanied these leading voices.  The reception of the work in Great Britain was a triumph.  On the Continent, in addition to the tribute paid to it by M. Guizot, it was translated into Dutch, into German, and into Russian.  At home his reception was not less hearty.  “The North American Review,” which had set its foot on the semi-autobiographical medley which he called “Morton’s Hope,” which had granted a decent space and a tepid recognition to his “semi-historical” romance, in which he had already given the reading public a taste of his quality as a narrator of real events and a delineator of real personages,—­this old and awe-inspiring New England and more than New England representative of the Fates, found room for a long and most laudatory article, in which the son of one of our most distinguished historians did the honors of the venerable literary periodical to the new-comer, for whom the folding-doors of all the critical headquarters were flying open as if of themselves.  Mr. Allibone has recorded the opinions of some of our best scholars as expressed to him.

Dr. Lieber wrote a letter to Mr. Allibone in the strongest terms of praise.  I quote one passage which in the light of after events borrows a cruel significance:—­

“Congress and Parliament decree thanks for military exploits,—­ rarely for diplomatic achievements.  If they ever voted their thanks for books,—­and what deeds have influenced the course of human events more than some books?—­Motley ought to have the thanks of our Congress; but I doubt not that he has already the thanks of every American who has read the work.  It will leave its distinct mark upon the American mind.”

Mr. Everett writes:—­