Francis Parkman 261 



quickened it by his own imagination, and made it, 

 as it were, a living experience, so that his books 

 read like personal reminiscences. It was certainly 

 a slow and painful process, but the result more 

 than justified the labour." 



In the fragment of autobiography already quoted, 

 which Mr. Parkman left with Dr. Ellis in 1868, 

 but which was apparently written in 1865, he says : 

 " One year, four years, and numerous short inter- 

 vals lasting from a day to a month represent the 

 literary interruptions since the work in hand was be- 

 gun. Under the most favourable conditions it was 

 a slow and doubtful navigation, beset with reefs 

 and breakers, demanding a constant lookout and a 

 constant throwing of the lead. Of late years, how- 

 ever, the condition of the sight has so far improved 

 as to permit reading, not exceeding on the average 

 five minutes at one time. This modicum of power, 

 though apparently trifling, proves of the greatest 

 service, since by a cautious management its appli- 

 cation may be extended. By reading for one min- 

 ute, and then resting for an equal time, this alter- 

 nate process may generally be continued for about 

 half an hour. Then after a sufficient interval it 

 may be repeated, often three or four times in the 

 course of the day. By this means nearly the whole 

 of the volume now offered [" Pioneers "] has been 



