Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-12-21
VIRGINIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Not being present ourselves, we are ihaeo'eu " 's"'
gifted young friend for the following interesting sketch
= "'' RIcuMoSp DECEMBER IA, lS49.
According the announcement few days since, mace IN
the papers Of the city, the Historical society Oh virginia
or the prpose of holding its annual meeting In the ab,
sence Of the President Mr. VIM. H. mcfarland was called
the chair and presided with his customary ogny ana
nrace We regret that the exceedingly ncement weather
prevented the Society from having full attendance OF us
members and audience adequate to the interest oil he
occasion II having been moved that an adjournment DC
made to the evening of the 10th of January ensuing Mr.
Maxwell and entertained the Society win lew very
graceful and happy remarks He said that housh ne eohn
not advocate he disposed to acqulcsce IN e ooh
which had lust been submitted. He cheerfully believed IN
the wisdom and goodness of the dlspensaons oil fo-
vidence which, however unacceptable 10 man present
convenience and pleasure frequently proved blessings In dis
ise Really he inclined TO supersous iancies OF
artificial anaoges but he begged be permitted to observe
that there appeared him very remarkable and grat
coincidence between the history of the Society for the last
three annual meetings. and the events which gave romantic
interest TO the landing of fathers al James Town IL was
curious fact-not much known yet hisorlcaly Iue-la
the eynedon which came on, chiefly under the auspices Of
Bartholomew Gosnold and Captain Smith, and which finally
planted the first permanent colony in virginia. MADE tncG
successive neecua efforts to land Boiserous weather had
prevented them from coasng near the shores and Us
The little embassy hola of European ciriisdfton would
proach the frma Of the new world an ntractaoe NORM
Eastern would watt il off again. Thrice did longing nope
stretch out its hand reach the shore and was repused
The fourth effort brought to Virginia and the American con
tnen the embryo elements OF mighty State glorious IN inc
annals of its chivary the power of its arms the wealth. Oh
lis resources and the unsued spendor OF its name Inc
banner of tho Ango-Saxon planted tho island o
James Town. eernaly in the light OF tho Western
sky. Members would forgive the fancy though playful
which brought TO their minds so beautiful and so instructive
coincidence and consolation in misfortune Inc Hislor,ed
Society had made three annual attempts to hold fu enth
siasc and happy meeting Incemont weather had each
time kent them off the He believed tho wind was then
blowing in the identical direction in which it blew when
repeng tho infant colony He would not counsel retreat
but he willing to acquiesce in the motion which had
been made. He trusted that fourth effort would triu-
phany succeed He knew that this association was an o.
ect of deep and sincere regard among the worthy descend
ants of those concerning whose private and public lives
concerning whose personal virtues and signal deeds-con-
corning whose halowed and ilusous memories u soueh,
10 collect all the accessible materials exant OF faithful and
brilliant history On fairer night we should have not only
more but also, fairer audience II was with
difficulty unproptous an evening as the present.
that some kind ladies Of his acquaintance could DC dssuaoed
from attending On the 10th Of January he did moi doubt
that among the thousands In our hourshng CITY, and In
different portions of the State, who feel proud patriotic IN
in the antiquities and history OF Virginia. large IN
would assemble in that Hall 10 hear with high grathcation
and pleasure the reports Of the various committees and to
enjoy the eloquent intellectual banquet which all
from the distinguished gentleman who 10 deliver the An
| nua Address
When Mr. NJ had concluded 1t pleasantly remarked
by member that he believed ho would be willing TO expe-
rienco continued of the anniversary then
going he could be RECALLED on every similar occasion
with such rare and happy historical condolences and au
sions The motion adjourn 10 the evening indicated was
unanimously carried. We pleased 10 earn that The
Society is IN very prosperous condition and that the names
of large number of gentlemen had been proposed for ad
mission The objects of this purely patriotic association
truly noble 1t is worthy the cordial aid and cooperation OF
every trueheared Vginanof every loyal con OF the Old
sent and exa the dignity of the future by preserving the
glores of the past, bright bany night for the 10th OF
January and brilliant circles of intelligence and beauty
grace the triumph of the fourth effort. J. H.