WILLIAM HICKLING PRESCOTT, whose brilliant studies of Spanish and Spanish-American history are an enduring monument of his genius, wrote also a number of critical studies and miscellaneous essays of a high order of merit. He was born at Salem, Massachusetts, May 4th, 1796, and educated at Harvard where, as the result of an accident, he became nearly blind. His far-reaching historical researches were carried on chiefly through the aid of secretaries and readers. His first notable work was “The Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella,” published in 1838. It was followed by the “Conquest of Mexico” and the “Conquest of Peru,” both of which surpassed it in popularity. Prescott died January 28th, 1859, leaving his “History of the Reign of Philip II.” unfinished.