Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-01-09
tFUk Tux WHO.
History of Virginia,

History of Virginia,
From ia, discovery aad settlement BY ssrspsaas to the
pte,ent tms.-Bg Re. r. HOrisos. Vol l.
We have been psased with this work. Our
and they were BY no means limited have been met. The
style which reminds Of the "Bsh Spy" although rather
howery, yet sufficiently plain and simple to meet the APP
probation of all who would willingly rejected every
thing like figure from composition. The beautiful Language
in many Instances heghten the interest take
the narrative. Burning words are always welcome to us
and We have enough OF these In this History.
Mr. Howison's objeetin writing this history sup
ply vacancy which had long remained TO be filled. The
infancy ehdhood and maturity OF Virginia afford topics full
of interest writer however dull and nsipd his
may bcto Mr. owison they appear to be themes which
he might dwell for without firing Nr Howson speaks
this book no the life and soul actors
The characters Of Smith and POwhatan he analyses and
folds ourview he intimately with the
most secret feelings and prompngs OF their natures. Not
one single motive or impulse permitted TO his
timing gaze-a and known he felt them
self In this respect far the poraturc OF charac-
| ter is concerned, We think the work inimitable.
Its strange that this period Of history. which has been
sgnaZcd by romantic Incidents should have been
so long neglected by historians. 1.-The infancy OF Virginia
Gays Mr. attended by whi-h impaired
her all the interest that the OF real life sod-
In her childhood she presented model those repub-
csn governments, which have since yielded happiness
millions in the Western Hemisphere. And, in more ma
ture years. she has powerfully contributed by her
men, her pocePs and her example, to give character the
great coniederacy Of which she is member"
Virginia has indeed been honorcd and she has
been deserving the which upon
her. The spIs,irring which adon her history are
enough awaken in the dulest suggard fire
laton like noble deeds valour Who with cam
and unmoved the deeds heroic spirit whose
dian influence spread earlier Colo
nyi Mr. Howison says of Smith, those who knew him
best have borne testimony his noble character Justice
the pole OF his life; experience formed the basis
OF his VIEWS seshuess had place in his BOSOM false
hood and ayaree hateful to his soul Thrown carly
youth, the world he paTtook of its exctenen without
imbibng its corruption bred IN camp he avoided the
proyerba vices Of the soldier, aud slave To
'wine. debts dice. oahs Prompt decision and
he Wi in ando
To the approaches OF confdug dispositions The savagcs
themselves though often fooled by his prudence aud defeat
ed by his respected him friend and loved
him n father" His seemed have been n charmed
| lite. The difficulties which surrounded him on all sides
were o,ercomc-however weghy they might be. One act
OF herosm we cannot torbear 10 mention example
that daring which every whore him
" He visited Panunky, the seat of Opecanc anough who
the first Of the native chiefs in active and scherous
hostility the English. With sixteen men, Smith encoun
tered the chief surrounded by nearly hundred braves
and he terrified them by of herosm which they long
remembered SEEING OPccancanough IN the midst Of
army, he wound his hand IN the long lock of hair
graeed his head and turning pistol against his breast led
him forth sight If all his followers Trembling with fear
this determined conduct. they down their arms
and. after speech from the President which he threat
ened that III they did load his boat with corn would
load her with their carcascs, they poiessed their good will
and complied with every demand. Up. ISL.
Tho next character which strikes worthy OF mo-
ce Is the Indian Princess, TO whom Smith indebted
for his ic and who occasions than one rescued
from destruction the infant Colony. Her marriage with
Roic fortunate circumstance Tor the Colony- threw
tie around Powhlan, which drew him closer the int
of the white "Powhaian no longer regarded
the English as his enemies, but during the of his life.
himself and his people maintained with them the ami
] cable relations"
The old man. the father. whose nature we cannot
commend, because OF the Indian ctauness and cunning
which markedi, yet respect and yeneraic when
look hs character IN another phase lie seems to
have been afectonae father and an able sovereign
Mercy, far that be said 10 BE- possessed by
an INDIAN was lie. lie Just 10 his friends. and willing
all Indians are aycugr them. In the latter part OF
his life, he have become nearly assimlated
| 10 the white Perhaps las daughter had some innu
him. The whites wished have the ties which
united the Indians with them, made stronger and Ralph
Homer the King demand him his young
daughter, handsome girl much beloved by her father
that she might be brought Jamestown w, re husband
well suited to her taste. might speedily be provided The
old monarch Immediately perceived the dsIus the co.
onss and after excuses he delivered 10 Homer
speech which the tender feelings of fathers heart are
exhibited with touching simplicity. He osked why his
brother desired 10 bercave him Of his children at
lie had already pledge OF his friendship in his Oldest
daughter and though pledge all existed, they
need fear injury from him. He had enough OF
blood his people had been sain his country had been
wasted and now, IN his old age, when he soon TO 90
the grave he desired nothing but peace and
With this answer the messenger returned the fort II
would from this that the Indian monarch had are
dy mbbed some OF the Christian principles OF his daugh-
| ter.
In the year 1915 tobacco was first made fashionable in
England That weed the produce Of the cooniss and
that sdsenance which denied them by ing the earth
and planting seed made plenty by the cultivation of
this poisonous weed "Jnmes hated il with unique nchabe
fury-drew upon it his pen, and shot forth counter
blast against tobacco convince the world that IL was
the appropriate luxury Of the Evil One and that smoke
the vspour of the bo,omess pit" This Satanic
luxury the of afordng life the starving colo
nis-and his Satanic majesty had done any
good, surely his introduction Of this weed entitled him 10
praise the hands OF the London Company and the
white adventurers who had their lots these
western wids. The blast Of the king, though the su-
preme head oil the church,, avaled naught. Men would
smoke, despite his holy imprecations.
From this period down the close Of the volume before
the narrative in interest Five years afio ladies'
the plain English, girls imported and the
coOnss then for the first time looked upon country
their 'home.' These girls SOLD for tobacco and the
sale rapid that the price raised from hun
dred and twenty hundred and fifty pounds Of to-
| bacco.
| We desired to mako few extracts and remarks
upon this interesting subject but paper is already
long In conclusion, would earnestly press upon the
citizens OF Virginia the importance OF their history and
assured that the present volume will supply the def
cheney which has so long remained Mr.. Howisons
| o. information have been extensive. From the book ks
which he quotes authority, find that he has ava led
himself Of every that he could possibly his hands
and the volume shows many marks Of dscrmna-
ton admit Of doubt that he has thoroughly sied
amned and compared The evidence going establish the
facts bc relates and that he is generally correct after
much labor, m his statements, would be So fool.
| hardy Il deny
We wish that could spend a few more hours in re
atng the striking OF the history. We should
like say Ctng Of Befkoy, and Bacon nnd OF obers
but we must draw e. a close our heightened rotnsrks
The reader, who wishes be informed Of these will moi
lose by purchasing the volume. r.
From The Ne,o York TIJun,.
Agricultural Queries, respectfully adj
dressed 10 Southern AgricuIturiSts.
4 -. Il