thing more than to accident and position. It is the influence of the masses began to be felt. What direct result of the character of the State itself; the merchant, the mechanic, and the clod-hopper which, in its turn, was produced by the age and the would think about a proposed measure, began to be men who gave it being, and the sort of emigration a question to be considered, as well as what the which built it up. Or rather the emigration which knight, the earl, my lord and his lady would have from time to time entered the Colony, prevented it to say to it. In short, "old things have passed from ever becoming stagnant water, and preserved away; behold, all things are become new." The the strong tone of the public mind. The Revolu- modern day was dawning on "a new heaven and a tion of England infused into its veins the best blood new earth," where we could before only trace a of the land, and this is one cause of Virginian pre- dim, strange landscape by the light of the starred eminence. But the auspices under which a na- firmament of the middle watch. tion begins its career, the age in which a people These changes were not made in an hour. This become one by themselves, in most cases give the transition state endured for several ages. Many impulse and influence the spirit which guide its strange things were brought to light by the remocourse forever after. This would be peculiarly the val of old rubbish, and the unlooked-for sights thus case with a race so remarkable for consistency of displayed before the eyes of men, kindled the imagcharacter as that which settled Virginia. We think ination and roused the public mind to unwonted the age in which the germ of this State was plant- effort. The most remarkable portion of this period ed, the age in which the people first branched off in England is what we call by the general name of from the great current of the English family, has the age of Elizabeth. This was indeed a memoimpressed characteristics upon its nature which have never left it. The birthday of Virginia was the age of Elizabeth.

rable time. In it, the heroic and martial spirit of the past was mingled with the patience, the art, and the toilsome thought of the new era, in the degree This was a most notable period. All Europe, best fitted for the accomplishment of great actions, and England especially, was then in a situation re- and the production of rare and wonderful men. In sembling what the geologists call a transition state. it, the genius of Britain seems to have arisen in The middle ages had departed; but their spirit still her fullest strength, to take her stand among the brooded over the new era. Their sun was setting; greatest of the world. It produced the greatest but it cast the long shadow of the old castle across men that have ever lived on the earth; men, whose the prospect. They had not entirely gone. The names are ever on the world's broad tongue, and rugged, half civilized strength, the wild imagina- whom fame has "eternized in her long and lasting tion, the taste for adventure and "deeds of der- scroll;" a race of giants, of whom Shakspeare was ring-do," and the absorbing love of combat which only the tallest, the comeliest and the strongest. characterized them, still remained. In the new It was an age of life and movement; the heart and order of things, this spirit was out of place at home. the intellect of the English people were thoroughly There were no great wars going on in which it might stirred up. And there were very many causes to find a vent, and consequently, it turned men's eyes give a mighty impulse to thought and mental activ"over the broad ocean, to these going's down of ity.

the sun," whence came tales of unknown lands, It was the era of the Reformation. An immense brave kingdoms, and strange people in the new-system of frauds, and slavishness, and full grown, found world.

fully ripened abuses had been toppled down by the But new elements had begun to predominate. concussion. What Germany half commenced, EngThe age of Iron had given place to that of Gold. land more perfectly finished. The popular mind War was no longer regarded as the most noble and had long heaved under the mass of hypocrisy, desfit occupation of men; "COMMERCE WAS KING." potic bigotry, stupid ignorance, and time-worn preThe world had clearly sown its wild oats and be- judices, which had rested on it for centuries, and gun to think. Money has always been known to the earthquake came at last. The long insulted be power; and so soon as mankind had so far ad-strength and sense of mankind, with the power of vanced as to place it out of the reach of lawless, wind and waters pent up, overturned them all; and vagabond strength, high birth, powerful connexions, the public mind rose with a rebound when the presand physical courage ceased to be the most desira-sure was removed. New things were coming up ble things under the sun. Knowledge, thought and and new events occurring every day, which roused keen sense, steady industry and persevering,toil up all that was in men. The roads were broken became the levers which moved the world. Now, up and the waters were out. Things which had too, the People began to come forward as an actor been received with implicit faith and which had on the stage. The time was passed when they been laid up beyond the world's reach, were taken were as much the goods and chattels of a great down, examined in the daylight and by all, and baron, as a flock of sheep; and when some stout found to be falsehoods and corruptions. Men's fellow, cased in steel plates, could trample the Mil-brains were busy and their tongues were loosed. lion under his horse's hoofs when he pleased. The 'There was a war and a clashing of opinions. Re

ligious controversy, which most of all things of confidence in themselves, and a stand among the strengthens, elevates and sharpens the understand-greatest of the world. ing, pervaded all ranks and classes.

And another cause which added to their vigor and Another thing which lent an impetus to this age, force of character in this age, was the late diswas the publication of the great writers of Greece covery of America by this very power which they and Rome, which now became general. Consider now stamped under their feet. The fame of a new what would be the effect on this age, if its new found world of inconceivable wealth, where they literature, the "new books," consisted of the death-dreamed of nothing but the wide waste of waters; of less works of the ancient authors and of medieval boundless continents in a state resembling what they Italy. This was just the state of England in the imagined Eden to have been; of savage countries, age of Elizabeth. The art of printing was now with great cities and innumerable inexhaustible fully established; and the stores which had been mines; of adventurers going forth with a lance and a accumulating since the days of Homer, were pour-sword, and returning with incalculable riches and a ed out through the press. The world was all at long train of slaves, vassals and captive kings, kinonce flooded with the greatest books. The divine dled their imaginations and inflamed their hearts with songs of the Greek and Latin and Italtan Poets, of a desire to "go and do likewise." All the wild fanthe "Blind Old Man of Scio's Rocky Isle," of ciful creations of all times seemed here to find their Eschylus and Euripides, of Maro and Horace, of realization. After this, nothing seemed too bold Pulei and of Dante; the orations of Livy, Sallust, to think or attempt. The Atlantis and the Happy Tacitus, Cicero; the musings of Plato; the high Islands at last found their types in nature. philosophy of Epictetus and his associates, then tunate fields, and groves, and vales, thrice happy first fell upon the ear. Their works became sud- isles, like those Hesperian gardens famed of old," denly accessible, and were read with all the charm rose up all at once from the sea. In the relations of novelty. They became not only accessible to of the men who visited these coasts, there was the learned, but to the common man. Chapman every thing to excite to its utmost pitch the curitranslated Homer and Hesiod; Fairfax, Tasso; osity of all, the avarice of some, the religious zeal Harrington, Ariosto; and Sir Thomas North trans- of others, and the most daring conceptions and lated Plutarch; besides which, there were transla- speculations in the minds of the higher order. And tions of Virgil, Ovid, Tully, and nearly all the chief thus this great event, acting upon the adventurous Italian authors. Besides this, the Bible was now spirit of chivalry still remaining, greatly contribtranslated, sought for with avidity, and diffused uted to the mental power and activity of the age of with wonderful rapidity among high and low. The Elizabeth.

"For

English people were now newly made acquainted These are some of the causes, working on the with those most strange and intense compositions. natural character of the English people, which renThey could then, for the first time, read those calm dered that period the brilliant era which it was: and awful narrations of God's dealings with the An era in which the human mind seems to have world, in ages before antiquity appears to have be-bounded instead of stept forward: An era most gun, dwell with the grand old Hebrew Prophets, brilliant both for its great achievements and its great listen to the Orphic Hymns of David," and fol-men-statesmen, poets, and philosophers. We are low the steps of the Master. Such a profusion of accustomed to regard one of these men as standing new and noble ideas could not be infused into the alone, without compeer, like a tall marble column mind of the nation, without giving it a powerful among the common brick and mortar of a city. impulse. It had arrived at its full size and strength; But, as has been well said, he overlooks posterity and the sudden diffusion of such literature brought from the table land of the age in which he lived. He was but one of a family in which were BeauIt was in this era, that Britain sustained and and Decker-but the "first of those fair clouds that mont, Fletcher, Webster, Marlowe, Ben Jonson triumphed over what was apparently the greatest on the bosom of bright honor sailed in long procesand most terrible attack ever made upon her. Spain sion, beautiful and calm." Faust, who reasons of was then the richest, the most famous, and perhaps divine astrology, was cotemporary with Macbeth; the most powerful of the chief kingdoms of the and the Duchess of Malfy with Desdemona. In earth; and the Armada was the most ambitious of this age Spenser trimmed the bright sails of his sands of his enchanted seas. "shallow ship" and floated away over the golden It was the age of Bacon, the Lord and the God of modern science—

to it the Promethean fire.

warlike demonstrations since the time of Xerxes. The noise of it filled all Europe. It was a foe to overpower a weak and cowardly people with helpless disorganizing terror; but one to rouse a brave and strong-minded nation to its full strength. This was its effect upon England. To meet it she drew herself up to her utmost height, and the annihila

"The first of those who KNOW."

It was this age which produced the lofty reveries tion of the Armada gave the people an accession and reasonings of Sir Thomas Browne and the

deathless eloquence of Jeremy Taylor. It was the | cotemporaries and compatriots of Raleigh, and were age of Sir Philip Sydney, the soul of honor, mirror worthy to be so. In their long struggle with the of chivalry, who was despicable tyrant who filled the throne, their conduct and spirit resembled that which was exhibited in after times by the assembly which they called into being.

"Like a gate of steel Fronting the sun, that renders back His figure and his heat;"

Under these successors of Raleigh, Virginia was settled. They composed a numerous body of men,

a man who could have been produced by no other of all classes and characters; and when we contime or clime than this. It was the age of numer-sider how patiently and freely this body poured out ous others of like qualities and some of larger size their money to support a Colony which hung on than Sydney; and at the head of this class stands their hands for years as a dead weight, it excites Sir Walter Raleigh. curiosity to know what prompted them thus to lavish This man was the peculiar offspring and true immense sums on a project of which, to our eyes, "the representative of the age of Elizabeth. His char- labours seem great, the time long, and the expense acter was the embodiment of its noblest traits. He certain." An examination of cotemporary memohad the daring courage and adventurous spirit of rials shows that for various men there were various the past, and the perseverance and clear rational intellect of the coming age. And he had the sound head and stout heart necessary to fulfil the magnificent conceptions of his genius.

motives; many of which were wholly different from any we would now imagine. The motives of such men as Raleigh, Hakluyt, &c., are easily understood. They spent their money on this thing to enlarge the Spenser calls Raleigh the " Shepherd of the bounds, the commodities, and the powers of their Ocean." He may also be styled the Father of Vir-native country; to furnish an outlet for the cramped ginia. He clearly saw the advantages of a Colony and perishing population at home; to increase the here; and undaunted by the obstacles and failures happiness of the human race, and to do something which attended a first attempt in time when me- whereby their names might conquer death. The chanical conveniences and experience necessary to ideas of these great minds were great and unselsuch undertakings were so small as they then were, fish like themselves. The motives, too, which actuhe persevered in this favorite project as long as ated the more rational portion of the merchants and his fortune and tempestuous life would permit. He gentlemen engaged can be easily imagined. Every spared neither labor, time, nor treasure. He put sensible man saw that if a Colony could be finally forth his utmost exertions; and though he did not settled in Virginia, there were circumstances about succeed in establishing a final settlement, his ef- the country, which would very probably make it a forts were not wholly abortive. Many rocks have successful speculation to all concerned. They saw to be thrown in the sea before the pile rises above that from its rich waste meadows they could furthe waters so that a tower may rest upon them, and nish the markets with beef, pork, tallow, and hides, so it was necessary to make many attempts before at a lower price than any other party, and consemen could acquire the knowledge necessary for quently, get a monopoly into their hands. They effectual colonization. Raleigh, in his unsuccess-saw they could command any quantity of pot-ashes, ful essays, laid the foundation. But he did more, he roused up the spirit for the work. The men whom he had sent to Virginia, and who lived there, sent back word that "it is the goodliest soil under the cope of heaven; the most pleasing territory of the world; the continent is of a huge and unknown greatness, and very well peopled and towned, though savagely. If Virginia had but horses and kine, and were inhabited by English, no realm in christendom were comparable to it." Hakluyt III., 311. And Raleigh's influence, example, and words drew attention to the affair. He stirred the sympathies and gathered round him men of like minds and souls, to whom he at last assigned his patent. These, in their turn, formed the nucleus of the famous London Company; and thus the spirit of this great man seems to watch over and guide the formation of the Colony, long after he had calmly walked out to die on the scaffold, to gratify the base malice of the miserable James I. and his wretched reptile court, The men who composed this company, were the

soap-ashes, rape-seed, flax, clap-boards, &c., for which the nation was yearly sending ships to the Baltic. They saw that they could undersell the Hollander in fish. They saw that from the savages who peopled the continent, they could obtain at small price the rich furs which were then so costly, because of the few and distant sources from which they were to be obtained. They saw that from the mineral hills and broad forests of Virginia, they could supply the government at home with the iron, timber, spars, and all materials for shipping, for which it was then sending to Eastern countries. And they saw that a commodity was coming into daily use, by high and low, which could be raised nowhere in the British dominions save in Virginia.

This was tobacco. Raleigh rendered it fashionable; and to those who habituated themselves to the use of it, the weed became as necessary as air. Mr. Howison gives an account of it in the style of pompous playfulness, which he assumes

whenever he approaches a subject on which he beyond the Falls is a Rock of Chrystall, and this thinks it necessary to be facetious:

"Revolting to an unviolated taste, abhorred by the brute creation, fatal even to the insects that men profess most to dislike, this weed has yet gained its way from the pouch of the beggar to the household stores of the monarch on the throne. It has affected commerce through her every vein, caused disputes between a King and his subjects, and excited royal genius to unwonted literary effort; and with equal truth we may say, that it has often enveloped the brave in smoke, and stimulated the drooping and despondent. Walter Raleigh first

they evidence by their arrows, very many whereof are headed with it. And that 3 dayes journey from thence is a Rock or Hill of Silver Oare. Beyond which, over a ledge of Hills, by a concurrent relation of all the Indians, is the Sea, which can be no other than the Sea which washes the shore of China," &c.

Then after detailing the means by which there might be a passage from Virginia to the South Sea, and thence to China, Cathay, and El Dorado, he indulges in this glowing vision:

"By this meanes what wealthe can there be in those richest Provinces of the World, in those Countries which Nature created for her cabinets of

made it fashionable in England, and smoked it so vigorously, that his servant, in alarm, poured over his head and face the generous ale intended to aid its effect. Elizabeth paid her favorite a wager, which he fairly won, by weighing the smoke pro- Excellency, which we shall not discouer? What duced from a certain quantity of this weed; and her discouer without a Power of appropriation? [i. e. majesty is suspected of having regaled her own annexation.] What oppulency doth China teem royal system with a pipe from time to time. James with which shall not be made our owne by the Midhated it with an unquenchable fury-drew upon it wifry, by the Iuno Lucina of this virtuall Passage? his pen, and shot forth a 'Counterblast against To- This by a happy transmigration, by an innocent bacco,' to convince the world that it was the appro-magick will convert that Countrey, (which by a priate luxury of the Evil One, and that its smoke swelling denomination, yet without not some prewas as the vapor of the bottomless pit." p. 197.

tence of Reason its natives call by a Title signifying all under Heaven,) into our Maide of Admiration and enuie, Virginia. Her silke-worms shall spinne for Carolana, her cloth of Gold be weaved for Roanoak. The English name shall keep company with the sunne, and those nations that owe

next thing sacred. The Easterne nations oppressed with the slavery of those illustrious horse-leeches, their princes, will come under our shadow and by a thicke Repayre to our most glorious and happy Mayden, live with us in that Libertie, which Nature in their creation intended to the noblest of his creatures, mankind. And by this Recourse, all those curiosities of art, in which those Easterne nations transcend Europe, will bee conveyed to us with their persons," &c. p. 42.

But tobacco was evidently to become the staple of the country, and a source of inexhaustible wealth to the company. These were sufficient reasons for wealthy and sagacious men to persist in their en-him a particular adoration, shall honour it as the deavors to secure for themselves and their families the noble domain which their patent offered them. But these were not the motives which induced the Million to risk their fortunes in the enterprise The profits were too far off, too ordinary and business-like, to dazzle the multitude. It was a far more glittering object which danced before their eyes, and led them on year after year in spite of disappointment. Stories of the wealth of Prester John, the rich kingdom of Cathay, and dreams of Such were the motives which kept up the spirit a west passage to Hindostan had for centuries of adventure, and sent over ship after ship laden agitated the mind of Europe. It was in searching with provisions and necessaries for the support of for the Spice Islands of Asia that Columbus fell the Colony, to bring back nothing but a few clapupon the West Indies; and Spain found in Mexico boards and a little cedar. It was long before these the long sought El Dorado. But the wealth which bright dreams were merged in more sober notions, the new dominions poured into the lap of Europe, and for years they tormented the successive rulers only whetted the appetite for the old project. What Spain received from Mexico was esteemed but an earnest of the still richer treasures which awaited the nation who could discover Cathay and the king dom of Prester John; and it was this old fable which settled Virginia. Not only did the mass of the adventurers think to find in the Blue Ridge the gold and silver mines of Peru, but they indulged the more brilliant chimera of making the Colony a lodgment from whence they would command the South Sea and the regions of boundless wealth to which they were the highway. An extract from a cotemporary work will illustrate their views. It is from the book called "Virginia Richly and Truly Valued," by "E. W., Gent:"

of the settlement with orders "to send home a lumpe of gold, a certaintie of the South Sea," or find out one of Raleigh's men who could show them the way; and after many attempts to sail up the James River to the Pacific Ocean, Newport brought over a barge, which could be taken in pieces, to be carried over the mountains to the waters which they believed to wash their feet on the western side. But not only were such hopes doomed to disappointment, but it was longer than could have been reasonably expected before the more rational predictions were verified. In 1626, when Purchas published his last volume, the profits of the speculation were still in abeyance, which will be seen in the following passage. We extract it, although

"The Indians unanimously consent, that 22 miles somewhat long, because it shows the spirit with

which the enterprise was regarded by the public, [ginia in a very imperfect manner. They knew not and because it is a curious specimen of the prose style of an age in which conceit was thought to be the acme of fine writing:

66

what obstacles to provide against, nor what sort of men fit were to send over: The ships continually bringing "gentlemen's younger sons, goldsmiths, refiners, and such like." For some years "Leauing New France, let vs draw neerer the all things were in common; no man cultivated his sunne to New Britaine, whose virgin soil, vnpolluown soil, and in consequence, the Colony languished ted by the Spaniards' lust, by our late Virgin Mother was justly called Virginea. Whether shall I begin for a long time. Fortunately, by the rare genius here with Elogies or Elegies? Whether shall I and courage of one man, its existence was prewarble sweet carols in praise of they louely Face, served till the thing assumed a settled form, until thou Fairest of Virgins, which from our other Bri- greater knowledge was acquired, and in consetaine world hath won thee wooers and sutors, not quence, different measures adopted. This was such as Leander, whose loues the Poets haue blaCaptaine Iohn Smyth," an adventurer of extrazed for swimming ouer the Straits betwixt Sestos and Abydos, to his lovely Hero; but which for thy ordinary character and undying fame. He is the sake haue forsaken their mother Earth, encoun- Roland of our early history, and the future Achiltered the most tempestuous Forces of the Aire, les of the Virginian Homer. The life of this man, that so often ploughed vp Neptune's Plaines, fur- from the time when we find him, yet a boy, "setrowing the angry Ocean, and that to make of thee a ruder Virgin, not a wanton minion, but an honest ting out on brave adventures," reads like some Christian Wife? Or shal I change my accent and strange, fabulous legend from the old knight-erplaine me of those Disadventures which thy louely rantry books. It is a story full louers have sustained in seeking thy love? What Enuie I know not, whether Nature, willing to reserue this Nymphe for the Treasurie of her owne Loue, testified by the many and continuall Presents of fruitfull Soil, fresh and faire Streames, sweet and wholesome Aire, (except neere the shore, as if her iealous policie had prohibited forreine sutors,) This John Smith was a perfect specimen of what or of Sauage Inhabitants, vnworthy to embrace, we have already described as the peculiar characwith their rusticke armes, so sweete a bosome, and teristics of the age of Elizabeth. He combined to appropriate with greatest disparagement, so faire a Virgin to Sauage loues; or whether it be the the romantic adventurous spirit and courage of the Virginian modesty, and after the use of Virgins, days of chivalry, with the patience, perseverance she would say Nay at first, holding that Loue su- and practical understanding of modern times. The rest in continuance which is hardest in Obtaining; men of that period lived on the confines of the two whether any or all of these, or what has hin- eras, and combined the remarkable qualities of both. dered; hindered we haue beene, and haue not yet They walked on the sea shore, with cultivated fields obtained the full fruition of her Loue and posses- before their eyes, but with the roar and dashings of sions of her gainefull Dowrie; which now more than euer before she seemeth to promise, and will the great ocean of the middle ages resounding in doubtless quickly perform, if niggardise at home their ear. This character fitted Smith for the undoe not hinder. And should men be niggardly in dertaking of new adventures and for the effecting this aduenture, where Nabal must needs verifie his of difficult schemes. This character, after forcing name, where keeping losethe, aduenturing promi-him into all stirring scenes to be found at home, at seth so faire a Purchase? Lift vp youre eyes and

"Of moving accidents by flood and field,
Of hair breadth scapes i' the imminent deadly breach,
Of being taken by the insolent foe
And sold to slavery."

see the brightnesse of the Virgin's beautie; which last drove him to the new and wonderful land of the mountaines lift vp themselues always with wild the west. Here he has immortalized himself. smiles to behold, sending downe siluer streames to His name, unmusical and unpoetic though it be, salute her, which poure themselves into her louely has conquered death. Although Virginia may be lap, and after many winding embracements, lothe blotted from the map of the nations, and although to depart, are at laste swallowed vp of a more mighty carrinal, the Oceane. He also sends the English race may become as totally extinct greate armies of fish to her, to win her Loue, euen of his within its confines as the Indian has done, the lebest store and that in store and Abundance; the gend of Smith and Pocahontas will be remembered mountaines outbid the Oceane offering the store- so long as the human heart retains its nature. His houses of vndoubted mines. He againe offereth career in Virginia deserves to be studied. It furPearles; and thus while they seek to outface each nishes a most remarkable exemplification of a reother with their bigge, puffed, swollene cheeks, Virginea is almost distracted between two such sau- mark of Lord Bacon, to the effect, that although comage Louers," &c., &c. mon men do for common times, in the marshallings of unaccustomed affairs, when the land-marks are removed, the roads broken up and the waters out, Our author need not have been at such a loss for great wits, men of great resource and power will reasons for the want of success which for a long naturally rise to the head. Smith arrived in Virperiod attended the settlement. The London Com-ginia, not only without power, but deprived of libpany and the people of that age were inexperien-erty by the jealousy of his compeers. But in a ced in colonization, and they attempted it in Vir- short time, without any manœuvring on his part,

Purchas his Pilgrims, vol. V., p. 828.